NESDA Spring 2026 at the American Overseas School of Rome brings student leaders together for focused debate, collaboration, and global engagement on our campus. Students will debate current issues related to our theme of 'Polarization in the Digital Age', deliver speeches on thought provoking topics and bring emotional scenes to life through duet acting. The conference supports confident public speaking, critical thinking, and respectful dialogue from start to finish.

Date: Saturday March 21 to Monday March 23, 2026

Location: AOSR Campus

Participating Schools

On behalf of the New European Speech, Debate, and Acting Association, the American Overseas School of Rome invites the following international schools to the NESDA Spring 2026 Tournament

Saturday, March 21 (8:00) - Monday, March 23rd (15:00)

American School of Barcelona

American School of Madrid

American School of the Hague

Berlin International School

American International School of Vienna

International School of Brussels

Zurich International School

Munich International School

Each participating school is invited to enter a maximum of twelve students to compete in the following events (with no limit to the number of events in which an individual student may register):

Original Oratory - A maximum of five students per school.

Impromptu Speaking - A maximum of five students per school. 

Oral Interpretation of Literature (serious) - A maximum of five students per school.

Impromptu Duet Acting - A maximum of three teams per school.

Duet Acting (light) - A maximum of three teams per school.

Debate - A maximum of two teams, each consisting of
two or three students from the same school will debate. 

Tournament Theme: Polarization in the Digital Age

NESDA 2026 American Overseas School of Rome

Rounds 1 & 2 → Umbrella 1: Origins / Causes of Polarization
Focus: Where polarization comes from in contemporary societies.
Media and Information Systems (news media, social media, algorithms, echo chambers)
Inequality and Shifting Social Norms (race, gender, religion, generation, economic divides)

Round 3 → Impromptu

Quarterfinals → Umbrella 2: Consequences of Polarization

Focus: What polarization does to individuals, communities, and political systems.

Effects on Individuals and Communities (empathy and compassion, apathy and passivity, distraction, anxiety, interpersonal relationships)
Effects on Politics and Democracy (political conflict, social tensions, stagnation, democratic regression)

Semifinals → Impromptu 

Finals → Umbrella 3: Responses to Polarization

Focus: How societies might address or reduce polarization.

Policy Responses (the role of governments, regulation, public intervention)
Technological Responses (platform design, regulation, moderation, structural changes)
Educational and Social Responses (media literacy, dialogue, civic education, cultural norms)

We look forward to welcoming you to the American Overseas School of Rome - International School! 

Questions? Comments?  Drop us a line to our Activities Director, Mr. Zacaroli, at activities[at]aosr[.]org