IPPF International Public Policy Forum (Oct 13)
The International Public Policy Forum is a written debate contest run by the Brewer Foundation together with New York University. Every team writes a position paper on one resolution, and the teams with the strongest papers advance through written rounds until eight teams are invited to New York for an oral final.
The 2026-2027 Resolution
Resolved: The United Nations should prioritize protecting the rights of women and girls over respecting state sovereignty.
Who May Enter
This contest is open to high school students. Middle school and elementary students are not eligible, so our younger teams should follow this contest rather than enter it.
What We Submit, and When
- Qualifying round essay due — October 13, 2026
- Top 64 teams announced — November 6, 2026
- Round of 64 begins — November 13, 2026
- Top 32 teams announced — December 29, 2026
- Round of 32 begins — January 6, 2027
- Sweet 16 teams announced — February 9, 2027
- Sweet 16 begins — February 20, 2027
- Elite 8 teams announced — March 2, 2027
- IPPF Finals Weekend — April 16-17, 2027
How This Contest Works
Every round after the qualifying essay is a written exchange, which means our team reads the other team’s paper and answers it in writing. There is no live speaking until the final rounds, so this contest rewards careful research and clear writing more than it rewards delivery.
Source: International Public Policy Forum, ippfdebate.com, Last Accessed: September 2026