PHOTO: The world debates itself at the International Debate Academy

In Ormoz, Slovenia, the 4th International Debate Academy is well underway. Over 60 of us have come together for an extremely intense one-week workshop focusing on British Parliamentary style debating.

Arrival was on Friday evening and despite the obvious jet lag among some of the participants who came from fairly far away (19 hours from Singapore) they seemed to be of god spirit. We did no specific work on Friday night except to review the schedule and give a short assessment document so that students could be groupled into beginners, intermediates and advanced groups for instruction. We also encouraged people to form teams for the two debates that would take place the next day.

The first day showed us just how motivated and focused the students are. They avidly accepted instruction and jumped right in to the exercises and debates that took place. The advanced group had morning sessions:

Lecture: Jens Fischer, Germany, Advanced Manner

Manner Exercises: Loke Wing Fatt, Singapore and James Thomas, USA

The intermediate group had:

Lecture: Alfred Snider, USA, lectured about public speaking

Public Speaking Exercises: Bojana Skrt, Slovenia, Sam Nelson, USA

The beginner group had:

Lecture: Staff exhibition debate with Sam Nelson, James Thomas, Loke Wing Fatt, Chris Burk, USA, and critiqued by Bojana Skrt.

Mini-debate Exercise: Sam Nelson and Branca Josimov, Serbia.

Then all three groups had a BP debate on the motion: The European Parliament should lower the voting age to 16.

This was followed by lunch. I think you can see how rigorous the schedule is, with three different activities before lunch.

After lunch

Advanced group had:

Lecture: Pre-tournament preparation, Jens Fischer

Preparation exercises: Loke Wing Fatt, Jens Fischer

Intermediate group had:

Lecture: Using preparation time wisely, Branca Josimov

Preparation exercises: James Thomas, Chris Burk

Beginner group had:

Lecture: Public Speaking, Alfred Snider

Speaking Exercises: Jens Fischer, Loke Wing Fatt.

Then everyone debated on the motion:  European Parliament should make genetically modified foods more available in its market.

Before dinner there was a reception for the attendees at the city hall of Ormoz located in the old castle right next to the Hotel Ormuz where the program is being hosted. We got a taste of the fantastic local wines (fruit juices were also served) along with extremely tasty local snacks. We were greeted and welcomed in the name of the city and we all admired the beauty of the castle and the impressive wall murals inside the rooms. 

That night after dinner the country exhibition was held. Each country brought displays, foods, beverages, games, gifts and many other sorts of things to share in a jolly group celebration. Our largest room became an exhibition hall that was soon full and buzzing with activities. There was dancing and singing from many parts of the Earth. The Beer Pong game of the Americans, the stimulating beverags of the Serbians, the strange snacks from Singapore, the costumes and foods from Malaysia, the maple sugar candies from Vermont, the brandy from Croatia, the sipping liquor of Rumania, the dances and flag of Slovenia and many, many more things. While I left at about 11 PM it continued strong on into the night and finally ended about 3 AM the next day. Certainly people were a little tired the next day, but certainly by the next morning many, many new friendships had been made, a lot of detail and information about other countries and cultures had been shared and a very good time had been experienced.  We were off to a very good start.

Every day is the same through the beginning of the program. Each morning and afternoon we have the same trio of activities: lecture, exercises and then a debate. We do take a little extra break after lunch so that people can recharge a bit, and we do not have activities in the evening. On Wednesday we will have elective classes in the morning (faulty suggest topics, students vote and then we present the topics they asked for) and then the tournament begins.

I won’t go through the schedule for each day, but here is what is happening this afternoon, Monday.

Lectures: Advanced: Presenting and Developing New Matter, James Thomas; Intermediates: Opposition Strategy, Branca Josimov; Beginners: Argumentation, Chris Burk.

Drills: Advanced: New matter exercises, James Thomas & Branca Josimov; Intermediate: Opposition strategy drills, Sam Nelson & Chris Burk; Beginners: Argumentation criticism drills, Jens Fischer.

Then, we will all have a debate before dinner.

There is no doubt that it is intense, but all of the debaters seem to sense that the program is causing them to improve quickly, and we can already see that.

More news to come.