15 November 2024
On 15th of November student debates “Tolerance – the Path to Peace” were held in the Saint Petersburg University of Management Technologies and Economics.
The debates were organized with the support of the Student Science Society and the University’s College. Two teams of College students, ‘Affirmation’ and ‘Denial,’ argued their points on the statement: “There is not enough promotion of tolerance in Russian society.”
Before the debates began, library staff member Tatyana Frolova explained the meaning of the term "tolerance," told the students about the history of the word and types of tolerance.
The judging panel included Prokhor Kheitkov, founder and head of the Debate Club of Student Science Society of UMTE; Anastasia Kopyeva, chairman of the Student Science Society; and Alexandra Kostromina, supervisor of the Student Science Society. They assessed how well each team argued their point of view. Students from all the institutes of the University came to support the participants.
The concept of tolerance is perceived by people in different ways. People must learn to face challenges and solve problems collaboratively if they want to live peacefully. Things that foster tolerance include mutual understanding, mutual respect, responsibility, goodwill, patience and self-restraint. At the same time, it is necessary to understand that tolerance is not about making concessions and compromises, but about understanding and mutual respect. It includes promoting one's own views while respecting those of others. These were the conclusions reached by the participants of the debates.
And the winner of the debate was the team ‘Affirmation’.