Three students and one of their teachers saw there were barely any programs or organizations that focused on leadership, dialogue, knowledge, respect and progress in Nicaraguan youth through debate and the discussion of ideas. That need led to DALE, a debate initiative that has since become a national platform for Nicaraguan youth.

In its first conference held in 2013 at the Hotel Camino Real, Managua, it welcomed 70 delegates from schools in Managua. Years passed, and DALE’s conferences grew exponentially and evolved in all of its forms since its first edition. In early April of 2025, this now nationally recognized debate conference hosted its twelfth conference with 330 delegates, making it its largest in its history, with delegations from over three different departments in Nicaragua, and about thirteen different committees to choose from between languages that include English, Spanish, and French. In addition, it offered junior committees specialized for students in middle school.

A student can enter the debate room, later they can step out of the conference with an award in hand and an offer to serve as a Chair of Committees for the following year’s conference. That’s one of Sonia Davila’s greatest satisfaction as a former teacher and advisor. The students’ growth in their critical thinking and leadership under Ms. Sonia’s teachings are the living proof of the mission DALE has set out for its members for almost thirteen years.

Sonia Davila, Founder of DALE Nicaragua, told the News in Spanish that “DALE was born from a purpose: to teach young people how to debate, develop their own skills, believe in themselves, and, above all, to develop leaders. Because, without a doubt, a self-confident person will be able to express their ideas and opinions efficiently and concretely.” 

What happens inside the debate rooms is reflected outside of the conference walls, because every delegate leaves with lessons, friendships, and an invaluable experience. Nexar Barrios, alumnus at Colegio Centro América del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús and former Executive for DALE XII, knows that exact feeling.

He describes his first experience at the conference as challenging due to his past difficulties with public speaking at his school debate club; although he stepped out the venue without an award, in the two days he spent debating he found motivation in the passion of his peer delegates, his committee chairs and other staff members.

From delegate to Committee Chair and to Logistics Director, Barrios recognizes that every position demands effort beyond what is expected — only then can we achieve excellence. Tiredness and sacrifices were inevitable, and so were the amazing results he saw in each conference he was part of. The ideals, values, and the free space that DALE offers helped him pave his path to John Brown University through the Walton International Scholarship Program. 

During an interview with Nexar Barrios in Spanish, he explained that “Surrounding yourself with those people, who are passionate about debate and involved in these types of activities, is something that only DALE can offer you in Nicaragua, so I think that’s very valuable.”

Before looking at all the delegates from the seats of a member of the Executive Board, you must first sit in one of the last seats reserved for delegations. Debora Hernandez, currently a senior at Nicaraguan Christian Academy International,  had held those seats for three years, but after a long-standing fight with her fear she not only won the Best Delegate award but also a seat at the Executive Board as the Development Director of the thirteenth edition of DALE scheduled for 2026. Through every edition of the conference she attended, her shyness started fading away and she could see her efforts paying off.

During a talk with Debora Hernandez, she expressed a great excitement for being part of  DALE for so long and how she overcame many obstacles in each one of her experiences but she also stated that “Being able to speak out loud, and being that voice of change, it doesn’t matter your status or where you are in life, you can always be a changemaker.”

In a country like Nicaragua, DALE is much more than just a conference — it’s where the next generation of Nicaraguan leaders begins to find its voice. Events like this allow students the necessary tools to develop a love for debate and a healthy leadership that prepares them for their futures.

This article was written for the Yale Daily News’ 2025 Summer Journalism Program for high school students.