Many centuries ago, most aspects of human endeavour were driven by a cooperative spirit. Cooperation was only not only useful, but essential for survival. If the initial human hunters had not coordinated and cooperated with each other, the human species may have become extinct today.
As tribes proliferated into cities, as cities metamorphosed into mega cities and states, the essence of cooperation or Coopetition was lost. Instead the spirit of competition became the driving force behind many of the individual’s actions.
Competition focuses on externally set expectations, targets and goals. Every human being who is a fabric of the society yearns to meet these externally set expectations. Coopetition on the other hand emphasises on the individual talents of an individual and focuses on excelling from within, based on internally set targets, goals and levels of excellence. Coopetition also is based on a spirit of engagement, coordination, empathy and connectedness amongst individuals.
Aashwasan Foundation launched Creative debate (the eastern approach) as a part of the ongoing Coopetition movement. The creative debate, an interschool event was launched in schools on August 24 and 25 at JSS Public School, Banashankari, Bangalore. While a normal debate focuses on winning over the other teams, success of content, Creative Debate focuses on solutions. Creative Debate brings out the deepest levels of empathy, understanding and oneness. In a well coordinated Creative Debate, the team automatically focuses on the individual’s strengths and drives the solution to an optimal level.
Six schools in Bangalore participated in the launch. Students of JSS public school (Banashakari), National Public School (Indira Nagar), Florence Public School and Presidency School stated that for the first time they have debated together on an issue, they felt empowered and more importantly “made new friends”.
The event was supported by organisations such as DLF, Cambridge Press University and Science Olympiad Foundation.
By the end of the event, a transformation could be seen in the students who participated. Initially they were bound by the conventional expectations of debating against each other. But slowly they realised that they had to debate with each other. Therefore what started out as a debate collapsed into deep discussion. Unexpected solutions and insights to the topics were found. The parents and teachers saw new aspects of their children.
“This is just the beginning,” announced Mr R Ravi, Chief Advisor of Aashwasan in the end, “Aashwasan Foundation will give away a Creative Debate tool to various schools and also continue to conduct this event on an annual basis.”
