Discuss and debate the big ideas affecting us all
Decoder Dialogues bring experts and young people together around the same virtual table to tackle big — and sometimes controversial — topics. From climate change and technology to free speech and political movements, join the conversation on the issues that matter most to you. These events are free and open to anyone around the world.
UPCOMING WEBINARS
Check back soon for the first Decoder Dialogue of the 2025-26 academic year.
PAST WEBINARS
Censorship: A Decoder Dialogue | March 2025
Censorship is on the rise. Whether it’s media censorship, governments wiping uncomfortable truths from the record, book banning, AI algorithms stifling artistic expression or silencing activist voices, restriction and control are evermore present facets of our daily lives. Students from our global community are joined by experts Betty Wong (ND Board Member, Journalist & Communications Strategist, former Global Managing Editor at Reuters) and Gene Gibbons (Journalist & Author, Former Reuters Chief White House Correspondent, Author of “Breaking News — A Life in Journalism”).
Defending Democracy: Why Journalism Matters | January 2025
Democracy is under threat across the globe. So too is journalism. In this Decoder Dialogue, we looked at the role of journalism and quality reporting in defending democracy, informing citizens and upholding the principles of a just, fair and democratic society with youth voices from across our network in conversation with subject experts Alexandru Ciocan and Helen Womack.
“What Does Real Climate Action Look Like?” | November 2024
Climate change is — literally — the world’s hottest topic. But in the flood of news of environmental disasters and national commitments to lower emissions, it’s hard to know what real climate action looks like. Hot on the heels of COP29 in Baku, we gathered students in Colombia India, Rwanda, Belgium and the United States and a sustainability professional from Poland to hear their perspectives on climate action.
“From Newsrooms to Classrooms: Real Talk About Artificial Intelligence” | October 2024
AI is among the hottest topics at the moment. But beyond all the alarm and all the exuberance, there are some real changes happening in schools and newsrooms around the world. Will AI tools do all the thinking for students, or simply make us reassess what meaningful education is? Is AI-produced content a massive risk to democratic order and taking jobs away from professional journalists, or a time-saving tool that allows the media to focus on original reporting and investigations? This discussion shared global perspectives on how AI is used in classrooms and newsrooms, featuring student panelists from Afghanistan, Rwanda and the United States. in conversation with guest specialists Johan Sköld, Nikita Roy and Sonali Verma.
“Is It Time for Young People to Take Charge?” | September 2024
How ready are young people to be leaders on the world stage? This discussion shared global perspectives on youth leadership, featuring students from our global community representing the Colombia, India, Nigeria and the United States, in conversation with guest experts: News Decoder correspondent Jeremy Solomons of JSA Consulting (Rwanda), leadership trainer and coach Nadine Binder (Germany) and ND correspondent Enock Wanderema (Uganda).
“The Future of Journalism” | November 2023
With the advent of generative AI and new technology, how will journalism evolve? News Decoder correspondents Tom Heneghan (former Reuters bureau chief), Enrique Shore (former Reuters chief photographer) and Norma Hilton (independent investigative journalist) discussed where they see the future of journalism. One takeaway? Journalism is changing, and we need it now more than ever. Watch a 5-minute recap above or the full one-hour discussion.
“Let’s Talk Mental Health” | November 2022
Mental health distress is on the rise worldwide, particularly among youth. We wanted to hear first-hand, what’s on the minds of young people around the world — and how are they coping? The one-hour webinar featured student panelists from News Decoder partner schools in Africa and the Americas, in conversation with a social entrepreneur working to improve youth access to mental healthcare across Central America. Watch a 5-minute recap above or the full one-hour discussion.
“The War in Ukraine” | March 2022
What does Russia’s invasion of Ukraine mean for the future of those two countries? For Europe? For the world? News Decoder correspondents and students from four continents engaged in a dialogue to tackle these crucial questions. Watch a 4-minute recap above, or the full one-hour discussion.
“Is Democracy Doomed?” | November 2021
Students from Belgium, Romania and the U.S. debated the future of democracy with Mete Coban, a leading youth democracy advocate from the U.K. See the full replay here.
These open-access activities are made possible by the generous support of News Decoder donors around the world. To help sustain and expand these free educational resources, please consider making a donation today. Thank you!