IE Debate Club: A Legacy of Connection

Debating is more than an academic exercise—it’s a forge for leadership, identity, and community. At IE University, the Debate Club is a space where students, supported by a network that believes in their potential, begin shaping the people they aspire to become. Whether they are debating at the IE Tower in Madrid or on the Harvard campus across the Atlantic, they always come prepared, but never alone. Behind every confident voice and polished argument stands a network of peers, mentors, and supporters who make their growth possible, including the steady presence of IE Foundation.

Redefining Success

This academic year, the IE Debate Club achieved something extraordinary, both in trophies and in transformation. Competing at prestigious conferences like the Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN) and London International Model United Nations (LIMUN), IE students stood out for their diplomacy, not only for their intellect but also for their integrity and teamwork. At HNMUN, 53% of the team earned awards, placing IE second among European debate teams and 16th globally. At LIMUN, 11 out of 17 IE delegates led their resolutions, with several winning top honors in the International Court of Justice.

Yet amid these accomplishments, the club’s leadership made a radical shift: success wouldn’t be defined by medals alone. “We didn’t put pressure on getting awards,” explains Isabella Miller, faculty advisor and a veteran of four years in the club. "In past years, there was a lot of talk about winning specific delegation awards. This year, during our preparation, we didn’t mention awards at all—and in the end, we won more than last year.”

This pivot allowed students to pursue their own versions of success, whether building confidence, learning diplomacy, or forming friendships that would last beyond graduation. It was about growth, not glory.

Debate as Personal Transformation

For many students, the Debate Club has been more than a competitive platform, it’s been a catalyst for personal growth. As a computer science major, Ismael Picazo Flores didn’t imagine that diplomacy and public speaking would become central to his university experience. “Before debate, I was someone who would just go with the flow,” he says. “Now, I understand there’s no shame in disagreeing. It doesn’t mean you’re attacking someone—it’s about expressing who you are and learning from each other.”

This transformation wasn’t just about finding the courage to speak; it was about discovering the kind of leader he wanted to be. For Ismael, leadership is rooted in empathy and connection. “Trust is what builds relationships in life,” he says. “Not authority, not strength... It's more of a trust and how you're able to connect with people on a personal level.” It’s a view shaped through experience, through the day-to-day dynamics of leading, listening, and learning alongside his peers.

For Isabella Miller, the journey has been one of evolving leadership. Over the years, starting as communications officer, then president, and now faculty advisor, her role has shifted from leading at the front to guiding from within. “This year I was able to connect with a lot of the members,” she says. “It was really nice to see myself in the new members… knowing I helped someone grow, especially someone who was in the same position I was in four years ago—that was incredibly fulfilling.”

Designing Debate Around Connection

Model United Nations isn’t just a student activity, it’s a simulation of real-world diplomacy that invites participants to step into the shoes of global leaders. Through research, negotiation, and resolution drafting, students confront some of the world’s most complex challenges. The goal isn’t just to argue, it’s to collaborate, to understand differing perspectives, and to find common ground. For IE University, this mission is taken to heart.

This year, along with redefining success, they prioritized the student experience, deepening interpersonal bonds, and fostering a sense of lasting community. With support from IE Foundation, trips to conferences like HNMUN and LIMUN were extended, giving students the time and space to build trust and team spirit beyond the formalities of committee rooms. These extra days weren’t just an add-on—they were essential. They allowed students to arrive not just prepared, but united.

That unity didn’t stop at the edge of their delegation. By building strong, authentic relationships within the team, IE students naturally became collaborative, respected figures on the international stage. At conferences like HNMUN and LIMUN, they didn’t just earn awards, they earned the trust of their peers. “Other delegations have told us that we’re known to be trustworthy,” Isabella said. “Schools around the world know that when someone from IE speaks, they mean what they say—we’re the kind of people others want to work with.” In a space rooted in diplomacy and cooperation, that kind of reputation is not just admirable, it’s foundational.

A Helping Hand

This powerful sense of community hasn’t come by chance; it has been cultivated through years of student-led vision and supported every step of the way by IE Campus Life and IE Foundation.

“I don’t receive any scholarships, but I feel IE Foundation is there, as a helping hand that not only recognizes but also supports the work I’ve been doing in the Debate Club,” Ismael stated.

That helping hand has enabled students from across disciplines and financial backgrounds to engage fully in their own unique IE experience.

And that, ultimately, is the legacy the IE Debate Club and IE Foundation are building: a diverse network of changemakers—rooted in purpose, strengthened through collaboration, and driven by the shared commitment to creating space for every person to find their voice. For Ismael, that legacy carries personal weight. “My sister might be joining IE next year,” he says. “And knowing she could be part of what we’ve built—that fills me with pride.” It’s a testament to what the IE community stands for: not just preparing students for the world, but leaving something meaningful for those who come next.