OHTE Debates are a new format of structured debate designed to foster rigorous, cross-generational dialogue on issues at the heart of history education and democratic life. Drawing on the public deliberative style of Oxford debates, OHTE Debates invite politicians, scholars, and students from Council of Europe member states to engage with challenging motions in a respectful, well-reasoned exchange.

By confronting divergent perspectives and narratives, OHTE Debates aim to break opinion echo chambers, stimulate critical thinking, and contribute meaningfully to the Council of Europe’s new Democratic Pact and its broader mission to renew democratic culture across the continent.

The  Pro team (in favor of the motion)

• Albana BIKAJ, MA in History of Political Thought and Intellectual History, University College London and Queen Mary University of London
• Ellie DOUSKA, PhD student in Contemporary History, University Jean Moulin Lyon III – LARHRA Lyon
• Pietro MASSAINI, PhD student in Political Sciences at University of Rome La Sapienza and University of Strasbourg

This team argued that history, as a discipline striving for truth and objectivity, is jeopardised when politicised narratives distort facts for nation-building or ideological gain. They highlighted the risk that selective use of history, especially in authoritarian regimes or in support of national myths, can polarize societies, justify violence, and erase critical truths, thus undermining democracy and civic responsibility. They cited real-world examples like Stalinist Russia and the Balkan Wars to emphasize the destructive consequences of political manipulation of history, ultimately asserting that historical integrity must be preserved to protect societal well-being and freedom.

The Contra team (opposing the motion)

• Jonah BERGER, PhD Researcher in History, European University Institute of Florence
• Anne DE MONTLAUR, Master student in English and American History at the ENS Paris-Saclay and in Public Policy at the Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas
• Andrii KARPENKO, MA in History, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv

This team contended that history, while easily misused, can also serve as a vital political instrument for good. They presented the unification of Ukraine and the civil rights movement in the United States as examples where historical narratives helped forge collective identity, inspire resistance to oppression, and legitimise the claims of marginalized groups. They further argued that using history in governance can inform just legal and political actions, and that excluding history from political discourse risks silencing important voices and experiences. Ultimately, they maintained that history, when used responsibly, can foster unity, accountability, and progress within societies confronting difficult pasts.