*The Debatewise Blog
WODC Just over three days until the words begin to fly ! (Press Release)
Yesterday August the 6th at 11.00 BST (10.00GMT), The draw to set the grid for the first round of the inaugural World Online Debating Championships took place in London. Conducting it were Debatewise’s founders David Crane and Marcin Zaleski as well Project Co-Coordinator Stephanie Gaynor. Neill Harvey Smith the Chief Adjudicator for the WODC was also present. There are some interesting matches already in prospect in this first round and a interesting global exchange of views is guaranteed from the start of proceedings.The opening matches of the tournament will both commence at noon GMT (11.00 BST) on Monday August the 10th and are between Nigeria (who will propose) and Estonia (who will oppose and Bulgaria versus Israel ,who’s team qualified in a preliminary round through the other team in the match forfeiting. After these two other debates will start at midday each day until all of the matches have begun. The identity of our first of sixteen second round teams should be known around Friday the 15th . However the top losers will qualify for the second round so there are opportunities for redemption and revenge for some of the teams who lost out first time.
Representing the home nations ,Scotland start by opposing the Chinese on Thursday the 13th with England disputing a motion proposed by Singapore on Saturday the 15th of August. Other matches to look out for include a contest between the two L’s: Latvia and their neighbours from the south, Lithuania will ensue on Friday the 14th with a sub continental battle between India and Bangladesh beginning on Wednesday. Also an interesting match between the US and Bosnia will start on Friday.
People can keep up to date with the competition by watching the debates as they happen on Debatewise.com and possibly deciding who wins by registering and voting on whatever team they think has the best argument if the adjudicators can’t make up their minds. If they tie then the Chief Adjudicator gets to say the last word for the match. Reports on each of the rounds will be posted on the Debatewise blog which can be accessed at (www.debatewise.com/info) and the Facebook Group which can be found at (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=88378553341 ). Debatewise’s spokes bird will also be making some interesting tweets over on Twitter about the WODC as well as office life, the universe etc. You can find it squawking on its perch at: http://twitter.com/Debatewise and it doesn't want crackers!
FIRST ROUND DRAW- MATCHES
Starting on:
Monday the 10th of August
(Proposing) Nigeria V Estonia (Opposing)
(P) Bulgaria V Israel (O)
Tuesday 11th of August
(P) Venezuela V Indonesia (O)
(P) Dubai (V) Mexico (O)
Wednesday the 12th of August
(P) Bangladesh V India (O)
(P) Pakistan V Chile (O)
Thursday the 13th
(P)Japan V South Africa (O)
(P) China V Scotland (O)
Friday the 14th
(P)USA V Bosnia (O)
(P)Latvia V Lithuania(O)
Saturday the 15th
(P)Canada V Macedonia (O)
(P) Singapore V England (O)
So it's over three days until the words start flying but which countries will make a nice landing? Be wise and watch out
Points of Information for Journalists
Debatewise (www.debatewise.com) is an not for profit online debating site where people can register for free to create and strengthen new contents bringing together the strongest arguments and counter arguments on virtually anything. The WODC is one of a number of initiatives Debatewise run including Revisewise which is a tool that can be used for revision by students. It was founded in 2008 by David Crane. It is currently based out of Bash Studios Scrutton Street in London and it’s patrons include Michael Crick, Gabby Logan and Chris Heaton Harris.
Contact details Tel: 44 20 3393 7223 E-mail info@debatewise.com or postal address Debatewise CIC
Scrutton Street
London
EC2A 4PJ
UK
The International Debate Education Association: The International Debate Education Association (www.idea.com) was created in 1999 to co-ordinate pilot member programmes. “IDEA acts as an independent membership organization of national debate clubs, associations, programs, and individuals who share a common purpose: to promote mutual understanding and democracy globally by supporting discussion and active citizenship locally.”
Contact details: For any inquiries about IDEA please contact it’s Salem office
Willamette University
900 State Street
Salem Oregon 97301