Do you think that you have quite a settled opinion on a matter and nevertheless happen to run into dead-ends during a discussion at times? Do you often find yourself playing the devil’s advocate to reach the bedrock reasons for defending a certain position? Are you interested in a broad range of topics and yet a friend of solid argumentation and sound logic? If you answered one or more of these questions in the affirmative, the upcoming event on debating will surely be right up your alley.
The event introduces you to the English-speaking university debating tradition, brought to you by experienced debaters. In this specific form of debate, emphasis is put on content and arguments. Consequently, the primary focus does not lie on rhetoric or presentation, however – as a desirable side effect– these skills will improve automatically the more your practice debating.
In the competitive form of British parliamentary debating, you are assigned either to defend or to oppose a given (controversial) motion together with a team partner. In the end, each team is judged on their performance by a jury. The debates are usually organized in tournaments and during the IT we will hold our own tournament, giving you an excellent opportunity to practise your debating skills, while competing against fellow members of the Swiss Study Foundation. You are given the opportunity to debate interesting topics in political, social or economic contexts and sharpen your views and arguments regarding these matters.
The Art of Debating will be taught by three internationally renowned trainers, among them former European and Dutch national champions. They will introduce you to this specific form of debating using a hands-on, step-by-step approach. Their valuable theoretical inputs, feedback, and experience will provide you with the tools to structure your argumentation better, be more convincing in debates, and, eventually, make you a better speaker.
The working language is English. However, the event will be held by non-native speakers. Basic working knowledge is therefore absolutely sufficient for participation. No advanced language skills are needed.
Additionally, after the IT, there will be a debating tournament, on the 7th of October 2023. The tournament offers an ideal opportunity to test your debating skills against a wider range of debaters, as apart from this year’s participants, also participants of previous editions, other interested people of the Swiss Study Foundation, and members of university debating clubs will be competing against each other (details to follow).
This follow-up tournament is an integral component of the workshop, participation is therefore generally expected by all participants. Participants who can also take part in the tournament are prioritised for the IT. Please indicate with your registration whether you can participate in the tournament or not.
This event is organised by the Debating Society, which consists of a group of students from the Swiss Study Foundation (Andrea Staudenmann, Jan Flückiger and Jessica Fenger). If you have any questions contact us at: jan-flueckiger@bluewin.ch
Koordination: Dr. Lydia Tchambaz
Administration: Nathalie Ellington
Location: Hotel/Restaurant Roter Turm, Solothurn (23 – 24 September 2024) / Follow up Day 7 October 2023 in Berne.
