Under the auspices of the Municipality of Athens
Debate Town HallHow it works
A Debate Town Hall turns a single contested question into a structured, day-long parliamentary debate. Citizens apply, thirty are selected as speakers, and they take positions in four "wings" that form two camps — much like a parliament. Leaders are elected, the debate is timed and moderated, and it closes with a vote and an official report.
From application to report
- 1
Apply
Anyone 18 or older registers and applies as a speaker, spectator or journalist within the application window.
- 2
Selection
The organising Presidium reviews every application and hand-picks thirty speakers, plus alternates. There is no automatic algorithm.
- 3
Wings revealed
Once the speakers are announced, their positions are grouped into four wings and two camps — the parliamentary formation.
- 4
Leader election
The speakers of each wing elect a leader online over four days; the winners take the symbolic parliamentary roles.
- 5
Debate day
Speakers make timed statements and questions, moderated by the Presidium, across a structured programme.
- 6
Vote & report
Attendees vote on the awards, and Debate House publishes an official report of the proceedings and proposals.
Four wings, two camps
Every speaker chooses one of four positions relative to the event's Status Quo. Two lean "for" and two "against" — together forming two camps.
For the Status Quo
Fully agrees with the Status Quo.
Partly for the Status Quo
Broadly agrees, but proposes changes or conditions.
Partly against the Status Quo
Broadly disagrees, but accepts some elements or conditions.
Against the Status Quo
Fully disagrees with the Status Quo.
Symbolic parliamentary roles
The larger camp becomes the governing side. Within each camp the bigger wing leads: Government and Coalition Partner on one side, Official Opposition and Minor Opposition on the other. Each wing then elects its leader.
These titles are purely symbolic and used only within the debate.
On the day
- Each speaker makes up to two statements of three minutes.
- Speakers may put up to three questions of twenty seconds each.
- The floor is granted by the Presidium; interruptions and personal attacks are not allowed.
- The full programme runs about four hours, including a short break.
Ways to take part
Speaker
Each Debate Town Hall selects 30 speakers and 30 alternates, based on the quality of the proposal, the CV and the overall application — not personal or ideological preferences.
Spectator
An audience member who actively follows the deliberation, with no wing and no right to a main speaking turn.
Journalist
Press coverage with mandatory accreditation. Journalists observe and cover the deliberation without intervening during it.
Transparency & your rights
A Debate Town Hall is a public event. Here's what to know before you take part — in plain language.
Free to take part
Applying and taking part are free. Applying doesn't guarantee selection — Speakers are chosen by people, never by an algorithm.
Public vs private profile
Only selected Speakers get a public profile. Your phone, email and home area are never shown publicly.
Filmed & livestreamed
The event is photographed, recorded and livestreamed. Speakers give explicit consent; the material is used for information, education and archiving.
Your data, your control
Your wing, proposal and interventions may reveal political opinions, so we process them with your explicit consent — which you can withdraw at any time. You can access, correct and delete your data.
The final report
We produce a report of the deliberation that may be published and sent to the Municipality of Athens and other institutions. Selected Speakers' proposals are included by name.
A role, not a verdict
If you take a "representative position", we clearly mark it so your wing isn't presented as your personal belief.
This is a plain-language summary. The full Participation Terms and Data Protection Notice are shown when you apply.