Built for Luxembourg.
Built to last.

The Luxembourg National Debate Federation is the official body responsible for developing competitive academic debate in Luxembourg — selecting and training the national team for the world's most prestigious student debate competition.

Giving Luxembourg
a voice on the world stage

Luxembourg had no competitive debate infrastructure, no national federation, and no history at the World Schools Debating Championships before LNDF. We were founded to change that — building a programme from the ground up in response to genuine demand from Luxembourg families who wanted this for their children.

Our mission is simple: to make debate a core part of every student's education in Luxembourg, by providing world-class training and accessible opportunities for all motivated learners. Debate is one of the most powerful educational experiences a student can have — and every student in Luxembourg deserves access to it.

To participate at the World Schools level is to place yourself among the strongest young thinkers on the planet.
70+
Nations at WSDC
38+
Years of WSDC
1st
Luxembourg appearance
2025–2026 Season Tournaments
World Schools Debating Championships — Nairobi, Kenya
Pre-WSDC — Prague, Czech Republic
European Schools Debating Championships — Skopje, North Macedonia
Eurasian Schools Debating Championships — Istanbul, Turkey
Harvard World Schools Invitational — Harvard University
Doxbridge World Schools Championship — Oxford · Durham · Cambridge
Columbia, Stanford, Princeton, Penn, Oxford, Yale Invitationals
Who Can Apply
Secondary-school students based in Luxembourg. No prior debate experience required — only motivation, curiosity, and commitment.

Three things,
done exceptionally well

1
Selection
Every year we run a rigorous national tryout process open to all secondary-school students in Luxembourg. We select the strongest team — not the most privileged, not the most connected, the most capable and committed.
2
Training
We provide world-class coaching across the full season — argument construction, rebuttal, rhetoric, research, and the mental preparation to perform under pressure. Structured, supportive, and always development-focused.
3
Representation
We bring Luxembourg to the world. Our team competes under the Luxembourg flag at WSDC and across major international tournaments — building relationships, gaining experience, and putting Luxembourg on the global debate map.

Not just good coaches.
World-class ones.

Our coaching staff includes experienced educators, former national team debaters, alumni of top international tournaments, and specialists in World Schools format. These are people who have competed and coached at the highest levels of the sport.

We are deeply committed to ensuring that all preparation is structured, supportive, and development-focused. Students are always encouraged to balance debate with their academic responsibilities — our coaches work closely with them to manage time effectively, including reducing practice intensity during exam seasons.

1
World Schools specialists
Every coach on our staff has deep expertise in WSDC format specifically — not generic public speaking, not Model UN, but the exact format our students will compete in.
2
Regular structured sessions
Students receive consistent coaching throughout the season — not sporadic, not last-minute. Preparation is methodical and builds progressively toward competition.
3
Individual feedback
Every student receives detailed, personalised feedback on their speaking, argumentation, and research. We develop individuals, not just teams.
4
Tournament preparation
Practice rounds, case building, motion analysis, and mental preparation before every tournament. Students arrive ready — not hoping to be ready.

Designed to be
fair, thorough, and useful

Whether you make the team or not, the LNDF tryout process is built to give every participant something valuable. Three rounds, three positions, three judges — and detailed personalised feedback regardless of outcome.

We record every round so that feedback is grounded in exactly what happened — not impressions, not memory. Every debater leaves with a clear picture of their strengths and specific resources to help them improve.

1
3 rounds, 3 positions
Every debater competes in three full rounds, each in a different speaking position — first, second, and third speaker. This ensures the selection process evaluates your full range rather than rewarding a single style.
2
Judged by 3 independent people
Because rounds are recorded, each of your three rounds is reviewed by a different judge. No single perspective determines your result — your selection reflects a consensus across multiple evaluators.
3
In-depth personalised feedback
Every participant — selected or not — receives a detailed written feedback report with specific observations and curated resources to address the areas identified. The tryout is the beginning of your development, not just a gate.
Even if you don't make the team
Not being selected is not the end. Participants who don't make this year's team receive the same quality of feedback and resources as those who do — and many return stronger the following season.

What students can
always expect from us

Student safety first
LNDF operates with a dedicated Equity, Safeguarding and Integrity Oversight Board. Every coach is vetted. Every policy is designed around student protection.
Full transparency
Costs, schedules, policies, and expectations are disclosed clearly before any commitment is made. No surprises, no hidden fees, no ambiguity.
Access for all
Financial aid is available. We believe cost should never be the reason a talented student cannot represent their country. Ability determines selection — nothing else.
Academic balance
Debate enhances academic performance — it never competes with it. Coaches actively manage workload and reduce intensity during exam periods.

Ready to represent
Luxembourg?

Applications are open to all secondary-school students in Luxembourg. No prior experience required — just the drive to learn, compete, and represent your country on the world stage.