Doha Portal

In partnership with Shared_Studios, our Doha Portal brings people together from across the globe to engage in conversation.

Upcoming activations

Do race-based policies create a more equitable world?

Monday, July 29, 2024,  6 – 7:30 p.m.
Red Majlis area, Multaqa – Education City
Portal site: Johannesburg, South Africa

In an effort to address historical traumas, dozens of countries have implemented race-based policies, which factor race into hiring decisions or school admissions. But critics say that affirmative action and similar policies are counterproductive. Is it time to consider color-blind policies instead?

In this Portal debate, students from Doha, Qatar and Johannesburg, South Africa will discuss whether race-based policies help to address the inequalities faced by historically marginalized groups, or whether they produce more negative than positive outcomes.

Is obesity a choice?

Wednesday, July 31, 2024,  6 – 7:30 p.m.
Red Majlis area, Multaqa – Education City
Portal site: Mexico City, Mexico

Globally, 650 million people meet the threshold for obesity. But is obesity a choice, or a systemic issue? In this Portal debate, students from Doha, Qatar and Mexico City, Mexico will engage in a discussion about whether obesity is an issue within our personal individual control, or whether it’s rooted in larger systemic problems that require policy solutions.

Global Connections

Doha Debates brings together diverse perspectives for vibrant dialogue on urgent issues. In partnership with Shared_Studios, our Doha Portal provides a curated space to learn, question and connect.

Connecting people around the globe isn’t just about computers or phones. Shared_Studios’ Portals use physical spaces—like shipping containers, school buses and even inflatable rooms—coupled with technology to make people feel like they’re sharing the same space with somebody elsewhere in the world.

The Doha Portal is a space for productive dialogue using the Majlis style of debate, which welcomes diverse worldviews and open discussion. Majlis-style debates illuminate points of agreement and common interests, rather than amplifying differences. The Portal uses these facilitated, Majlis-style conversations to connect people around the world, guiding participants to find new ideas and innovative solutions to complex issues that affect us all.