2008 WSDC Scrapbook Now Available

The 164 pages of the color scrapbook is now available online for downloading as a pdf. It documents the events in September 2008 as 39 nations at the World Schools Debating Championships gathered, competed, discussed important world issues, made friendships and established networks for the 21st Century.

Right click to download from http://debate.uvm.edu/dcpdf/wsdc08book.pdf

It was my honor to be able to put together the booklet in my role as director of tournament operations. My thanks go to our Convener Phyllis Hirth, Chief Adjudicator Aaron Maniam, Claire Ryan (for photos) and many, many more. Especially the awesome volunteers.

The booklet contains:

• An introduction and welcome
• An extensive page of photos. My apologies that some were cut between pages, but originals in an uncut form can be found at http://debate.uvm.edu/debateblog/wsdc/Photos.html . The slide show function works very well there.
• A page with photos and notes for each team.
• Reagan Building thanks (final round venue).
• Thanks to sponsors page.
• All blog entries from the tournament before and after.
  

The original website will remain at http://debate.uvm.edu/debateblog/wsdc/Welcome.html but cannot be altered in any way as the root file has been deleted.

The blog that carried the news of WSDC 2008 will remain at http://wsdc2008.blogspot.com/ for the immediate future, but it will be deleted sometime after the February 2009 WSDC in Athens.

Kuwait Schools Debate League Lands a Major Sponsor

From http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20081008092415/ExxonMobil%20Supports%20the%20Kuwait%20Debate%20League

ExxonMobil Supports the Kuwait Debate League

ExxonMobil Exploration sponsors the Kuwait Debate League's Trip to Washington D.C.
Kuwait - October 8, 2008 - Today, ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Kuwait Limited, a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation, a global leader in the oil, gas and petrochemicals industry, announced its support of the Kuwait Debate League and their participation in the World Schools' Debating Championship (WSDC) held in Washington D.C. from September 5th - September 15th 2008.

The WSDC is a global competition for high school debaters. The Championships take place each year in a different country, hosted by a national debating body. Recent venues include Sydney, London, Johannesburg, Singapore and Lima. All debates take place in English. Each country can submit a squad of 3-5 students under 19 years of age in full time education in that country to debate social, moral and political issues. Past patrons of the Championships include Tony Blair and Nelson Mandela.

ExxonMobil believes in investing in the communities in which it works. This is not only a key corporate pillar but it is part of a larger commitment to be an active corporate citizen and a good global neighbor. "In the Middle East, and in the Gulf region in particular, we have concentrated on actively contributing to education, health and community programs," commented John Hoholick, President of ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Kuwait Limited. "When we were approached by the British School of Kuwait, which also acts as the agent for WSDC, to sponsor a member of their debate league we were happy to learn more about their initiatives. After meeting Ascia Al-Farraj, captain of the Kuwait Schools' Debating League (KSDL) and Emma Bowie Director of KSDL we saw their commitment to the league and we knew that this was an important project to support."

"During our stay in Washington D.C., we were involved in probably the most intense and competitive school event in the world. At this year's competition 41 teams have registered for the 2008 WSDC. As well as competing against other nations, the KSDL represented their country at several official functions where they were called upon to meet with ambassadors and other dignitaries. The whole experience was an unforgettable one for the team. It truly is a life-changing event, and I would like to thank ExxonMobil for the generosity that they have shown in support of our team." commented Emma Bowie, Director of the Kuwait Schools' Debating Championship. "It's safe to say that our team did an excellent job, and I hope we get more students to join us in the future."

ExxonMobil has a long history of supporting and improving educational programs. In all countries, basic education is necessary to spur development and economic growth. In 2007, ExxonMobil directed more than $70 million to education worldwide.

WSDC Recignized by World Trade Centers Globally

Students from England and New Zealand at final debating competition hosted by WTC-DC

From http://world.wtca.org/portal/site/wtcaonline/template.MAXIMIZE/menuitem.123e0d353e56e5d80d6665b631208a0c/?javax.portlet.tpst=072f2c5fd18c843efe8326fbbd8ec13e_ws_MX&javax.portlet.prp_072f2c5fd18c843efe8326fbbd8ec13e_viewID=epiproxybanner&javax.portlet.prp_072f2c5fd18c843efe8326fbbd8ec13e_epiproxyrealurl=http%3A%2F%2Fworld.wtca.org%2Fnews%2Fcurrent%2Fpage7.shtml&javax.portlet.prp_072f2c5fd18c843efe8326fbbd8ec13e_epiproxymethod=get&beanID=1028340186&viewID=epiproxybanner&javax.portlet.begCacheTok=token&javax.portlet.endCacheTok=token

WTC-DC hosts world class debating competition
High school students from 39 nations participate

WASHINGTON, D.C. – WTC-DC, the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, sponsored the final round of the 2008 World Schools Debating Championship (WSDC) September 15, an event that featured talented high school-aged scholars from 39 nations. The final debate, which examined a possible expansion of UN Security Council membership, culminated the ten-day tournament in dramatic fashion with Team England narrowly edging out Team New Zealand to claim top honors.
The WSDC was founded in 1988 as a vehicle for youth to engage in meaningful dialogue. Each year the championships are held in a different international city hosted by a national debating body. Recent venues have included Sydney, Johannesburg, Singapore, and Lima. In recent years, the WSDC has held its closing sessions in the Israeli Knesset, the English Parliament and Australia’s Old Parliament House. This year, student delegations from Argentina to Zimbabwe flocked to Washington, D.C. to learn about American culture first-hand and to benefit from the unique perspectives and world views of their fellow competitors.

India Attends WSDC for First Time

From http://www.indiaedunews.net/International/India%5Fenters%5FWorld%5FSchools%5FDebating%5FChampionships%5F5932/

India enters World Schools Debating Championships
September 08, 2008
New Delhi: Five students from recognized schools in Chennai will represent India for the first time ever in the World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC) to be held in Washington DC, USA from September 5 - 15, 2008.

Started as a unique training session by Ramco Systems, the selected students for the first time will make India proud and stand up on the debating stage.

39 countries will be participating in the internationally acclaimed 2008 WSDC.

S. Pranav Kumar (Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Sr. Sec. School, K.K. Nagar, Std. IX), Sithara Rasheed (Sri Sankara Sr. Sec. School, Adyar, Std. XI), Rajalakshmi Natarajan (Sri Sankara Sr. Sec. School, Adyar, Std. XI), Shreya Murali (Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Sr. Sec. School, Nungambakkam, Std. IX) and Amrithavarshini (Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Sr. Sec. School, Nungambakkam, Std. IX) will represent the Indian team.

India's first debate will be against Slovakia, followed by Bermuda, Pakistan, Australia, Mexico, Japan, USA and South Korea.

Coached by Andrew Fitch, a renowned debater from the English Speaking Union, UK and managed by Ms. Padmini, Principal - Arsha Vidya Mandir the five students have had series of training modules preparing them for the championship.

Ramco Systems will sponsor the entire visit of the students and coaches.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. P.R. Venketrama Raja Vice Chairman, Managing Director & CEO, Ramco Systems said, "Events like these provide students an excellent opportunity to go international and interact with the best coaches and students from other prestigious schools. Ramco Systems is proud to sponsor this historic event for the first time in India which is aimed to give a wonderful platform for students to debate. Structure Debating helps our children to think logically and put forward their point of view with grace and elegance. Our children are our future and we need to put in our efforts for our country's better tomorrow".

Coach Andrew Fitch, English Speaking Union added, "Its going to be a real challenge for the team but our team is all geared up and I think the sky is the limit for them."

39 teams have registered for the 2008 WSDC in Washington DC. Few of the participating countries are Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Czech Republic, England, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, United States, Zimbabwe etc.

The World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC) is a global competition for high school debaters. The Championships take place each year in a different country, hosted by a national debating body.

Recent venues include Sydney, London, Johannesburg, Singapore, Lima and in 2006 Cardiff, Wales.

All Debates take place in English. Each country can submit a squad of 3-5 students under 19 in full time education in that country to debate social, moral and political issues. Post patrons of the championships include Tony Blair and Nelson Mandela.

The aims of the World Schools Debating Champions are to achieve excellence in debating, to encourage debating throughout the world, to promote international understanding and free speech.

Last Call for Changes to WSDC 2008 Scrapbook

The scrapbook is at http://debate.uvm.edu/debateblog/wsdc/Welcome.html

Please suggest changes by the 15th of October, and at that point it will go to pdf and the website will be frozen.

Pictures, spelling errors, more and/or better text, all suggestions are welcomed.

Email to alfred.snider@uvm.edu

Video of Grand Final WSDC 2008

This House would expand the permanent membership of the UN Security Council.

New Zealand proposes, England opposes. 5-4 decision for England.

J. Scott Wunn of the USA National Forensic League serves as chair.

Quarterfinal - Scotland vs. Canada

This House regrets holding the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Scotland defeated Canada 4-1 in this quarterfinal match at the World Schools Debating Championships 2008 held in Washington DC in September.

Tab Error - Filip Dobranic of Slovenia is EFL Top Speaker

From CA Aaron Maniam:

We've checked the tab and it is now official that Filip is the top EFL speaker (ranked 43rd overall). There was indeed a software error so while the round 4 scores were included in the team total, they did not get reflected in the individual tab. I'll do my best to work with future adjudication teams to rectify this glitch on future tabs.

Claire will be sending the revised rankings to all the team managers for their info.

Tuna - would it be possible for you to please do up a certificate for Filip, on his new top speaker status, and convey this through Bojana?

Bojana - this was a tabbing error for which I deeply apologise. I would like to get Filip a new award, that he can keep as a reminder of his achievement. I can do this from Singapore and mail it to you. Could you let me know the best address to send the parcel to?

Thanks everyone for your patience,

Aaron

Team Qatar Proud of Performance

From http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/printArticle.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=242844&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16

Team Qatar sets world record at international debate contest
Publish Date: Sunday,21 September, 2008, at 01:33 AM Doha Time

Just and the team members talking to the media yesterday
By Ourouba Hussein
THE first Qatar National Debate team set a new world record for a team making its debut at the World Schools Championship by coming 19th at the international event that concluded in Washington DC, recently.
Senior instructor and programme manager Alex Just told reporters that the five-student Qatari team won four of their eight debates, and finished 19th in the 2008 World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC), ahead of teams from established debating countries like Kuwait, India, Germany, Japan and the USA.
“Team Qatar won preliminary debates against high school debaters from Botswana, Japan, Zimbabwe and Montenegro, which is a new world record for a team making its debut at the tournament,” he explained.
Qatari member of the group Talal Burshaid speaking about the competitions, said the team had four prepared debates and four extempore ones. ‘Delivering emergency aid in any humanitarian crisis’ was the first prepared topic which the Qatar team won against the Botswana team.
The Qatar team debated against team England in the second prepared topic, which was about scientific research.
“It was a close debate. England won the 2008 WSDC, but the members of the winning team said one of their hardest debates was the one they ran against Qatar,” he said.
Just pointed out that team England had five-and-a-half years of debating experience, while the Qatar team had started practicing some 10 months ago.
He said that the Qatari team competed in two debates against each of A, B, C and D teams, and recorded their best performances against the A teams. “That made the judges say that the Qatar team has done very well.”
The five students said they have learnt a lot from the trip and debates.
Burshaid said he learned not to underestimate or overestimate rival teams, but to just give his best.
Fatima Hijran spoke about gaining more knowledge related to business, ethics and science.
Tina Niaki cited her gains as exchanging of ideas and acquiring more knowledge.
All the team members agreed that taking part in WSDC made them learn how to defend their position, form their own opinions and respect others’ opinions.
The team members described the competition ambience as funny and enjoyable and declared their willingness to participate in the next WSDC which will be held next year in Greece, if they win the selection process in Qatar.

WSDC Semifinal Debate Now Online - New Zealand vs. Scotland

New Zealand proposition, Scotland opposition.

This House would drop all US sanctions on Cuba. Semifinal round at WSDC 2008 in Washington DC USA. The debate was won by New Zealand 7-0.

Official Team Results from WSDC 2008

From Chief Adjusicator AARON MANIAM:

Final Ranking Prelim Ranking Prelim Wins Prelim Judges Points
1 England 3 8 21 6169.5
2 New Zealand 1 8 23 6237
3 Greece 10 6 18 6091.5
4 Scotland 12 5 15 6144.5
5 South Africa 2 8 22 6147.5
6 Canada 4 7 21 6160
7 Israel 6 7 19 6075
8 Ireland 9 6 18 6172
9 Pakistan 5 7 19 6116.5
10 Singapore 7 6 19 6138
11 Australia 8 6 18 6196.5
12 Slovenia 11 6 16 5981
13 South Korea 13 5 15 6028.5
14 Wales 14 5 14 6044
15 Hong Kong 15 5 14 6035.5
16 Netherlands 16 5 14 5917.5
17 Argentina 17 5 13 5853.5
18 Sri Lanka 18 4 12 5999.5
19 Qatar 19 4 12 5882.5
20 Slovakia 20 4 10 5756
21 Bangladesh 21 4 9 5990.5
22 Peru 22 3 11 5982.5
23 Kuwait 23 3 11 5851.5
24 Botswana 24 3 10 5879.5
25 Germany 25 3 9 5965.5
26 USA 26 3 9 5935
27 Mexico 27 3 9 5793
28 Czech Republic 28 3 6 5747
29 India 29 2 10 5795.5
30 Montenegro 30 2 7 5813.5
31 Zimbabwe Swing Team 31 2 7 5713
32 Philippines 32 2 6 5970
33 Estonia 33 2 6 5858.5
34 Indonesia 34 2 6 5857.5
35 Lithuania 35 1 8 5930
36 Bermuda 36 1 7 5878
37 Romania 37 0 4 5779.5
38 Mongolia 38 0 0 5556.5
39 Japan 39 0 0 5465.5

WSDC Scrapbook Almost Done

See it at http://debate.uvm.edu/debateblog/wsdc/Welcome.html

Please check your page and pictures. It is not too late to send me either a new photo or your write-up. I want to fiond some errors, because I know they are there.

I am still looking for photos of:

Break Night Party
9/11 Memorial
England holding their trophy.

Other photos you might feel are of interest. Just attach them to an email and send them along.

More to come.

Video - Slovenia vs. USA on NATO Membership for Georgia

This was a special round that had to be made up when round four for these two teams could not take place because of an accident. This was held after round eight. Slovenia won the debate 3-0.

This House would admit Georgia into NATO.

The Road to the 2008 Championship

Thanks to Colm Flynn for the octas bracket design.

Prelim Records from WSDC 2008

Here are the prelim records from WSDC 2008 in Washington.

Country Wins Judges Points
1 New Zealand 8 23 6237
2 South Africa 8 22 6147.5
3 England 8 21 6169.5
4 Canada 7 21 6160
5 Pakistan 7 19 6116.5
6 Israel 7 19 6075
7 Singapore 6 19 6138
8 Australia 6 18 6196.5
9 Ireland 6 18 6172
10 Greece 6 18 6091.5
11 Slovenia 6 16 5981
12 Scotland 5 15 6144.5
13 South Korea 5 15 6028.5
14 Wales 5 14 6044
15 Hong Kong 5 14 6035.5
16 Netherlands 5 14 5917.5
17 Argentina 5 13 5853.5
18 Sri Lanka 4 12 5999.5
19 Qatar 4 12 5882.5
20 Slovakia 4 10 5756
21 Bangladesh 4 9 5990.5
22 Peru 3 11 5982.5
23 Kuwait 3 11 5851.5
24 Botswana 3 10 5879.5
25 Germany 3 9 5965.5
26 USA 3 9 5935
27 Mexico 3 9 5793
28 Czech Republic 3 6 5747
29 India 2 10 5795.5
30 Montenegro 2 7 5813.5
31 Swing 2 7 5713
32 Philippines 2 6 5970
33 Estonia 2 6 5858.5
34 Indonesia 2 6 5857.5
35 Lithuania 1 8 5930
36 Bermuda 1 7 5878
37 Romania 0 4 5779.5
38 Mongolia 0 0 5556.5
39 Japan 0 0 5465.5

England Wins WSDC 2008

On a 5-4 decision England in opposition has defeated New Zealand in the grand finale at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington DC USA.

The motion was
This House would expand the number of permanent members of the UN security council.

More details coming, along with full slate of awards and lots of photos.

Videos will also be coming soon along with a few surprises.

New Zealand meets England in Finals

In the semifinals at the World Schools Debating Championship in Washington DC USA, the results are:

New Zealand 7-0 over Scotland
England 5-2 over Greece

The final is tomorrow afternoon at the Reagan Center.

The motion was: This House would have the United States lift economic sanctions on Cuba.

The Bracket

Quarterfinal Results from Washington

New Zealand charges ahead
Scotland, England with comfortable wins
Greece Squeaks into semifinals

This House regrets holding the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

New Zealand defeats Ireland 4-1
Scotland defeats Canada 4-1
England defeats Israel 4-1
Greece defeats South Africa 3-2

Semifinals will feature:

1. New Zealand vs. 12. Scotland
3. England vs. 10. Greece

The round will be held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at 8 PM.

Quarterfinal Matches Coming Up This Afternoon

But what would the headlines be?

How about:
2007 Finalist Singapore is out of the competition
England, Canada squeak through on 3-2 decisions
Lower seeds advance -- Greece 10, Scotland 12, Ireland 9
New Zealand wins 5-0, now 9-0 for the competition

There is a lunch break now and we will be back with the results of the quarterfinals later today.