We are a non-profit organization dedicated to rediscovering the art of civil and substantive public debate by convening the brightest thinkers of our time to weigh in on the big issues of the day.
As our democracy becomes dangerously polarized, we believe that civil and substantive public debate is a vital public good. Everyone should have the opportunity to hear both sides of an issue and then make up their own mind about where they stand.
Since 2008 we have hosted 28 mainstage debates in Toronto, Canada, featuring some of the world’s leading debaters. Past guests include Robert Reich, Henry Kissinger, Samantha Power, Laura Ingraham, Stephen Fry, Douglas Murray, Fareed Zakaria, Malcolm Gladwell, Anne Applebaum, Tony Blair, Christopher Hitchens, Camille Paglia and Jordan Peterson.
The Munk Debates are a project of the Aurea Foundation, a Canadian charity established by the late Peter Munk (1927-2018) and Melanie Munk.