*The Debatewise Blog
WODC Round 2
WODC Round II reportDebatewise.org is proud to announce that the third World Online Debating
Championships commenced on 1st August and will continue until 1st October.
This year, our full pool of thirty two globe spanning contenders from countries
as spread out as Japan, Israel, Mongolia and Rwanda masterfully debated it
out to join previous winners from the Czech Republic and Lithuania in being
crowned the best online debaters of the world.
About the WODC: Over the last two years over 40 teams from nations in
all seven continents have exhaustively tackled subjects as diverse as diet,
aliens, war mongering, marriage, drugs, gambling, nuclear armament, socioeconomics,
the environment and immortality. Each debate has five 24 hour
phases during which participants present and evidence their cases; from
anywhere with internet access.
Round II Summary:
First off, Latvia went against Uzbekistan. Latvia may have had some stalwarts
in its ranks but the Uzbek team won the key clashes in the debate.
In the regional derby of the tournament Venezuela faced off against
Colombia. The prop started well but were beaten by a stronger Opp in the end.
Adjudicator Abida Shareen summed up the match as follows, “Opp managed to
clearly illustrate the fact that the idea put forth by the proposition could create
multitude levels of harms for the South American nations... A good debate
overall.”
Following this, South Korea took their second chance and ran with it against
Pakistan 2. As adjudicator Rinat Gershfeld assessed “Opp, despite the dangers
explained by Prop, was able to prove that (a) it is a safe technology to be
exported and (b) that the benefits of nuclear technology in terms of resources
and the environment are greater.”
Israel continued their impressive performance with a win over Macedonia. And
in doing so, the Israeli's became the most improved nation of the WODC going
from two first round losses in previous years to the semis this year, impressive.
On this particular debate adjudicator Protagoras concluded,“ Opposition proves
that although it's tough to give the HRC much credit, it does do some good
action, even if it is subjected to voting blocs and other political machinations.
Opposition wins this debate on the issue of reform does not mean abolish.”
Next up Mongolia and Mexico .Adjudicator Nick Bibby presided and Mexico
moved on to the quarter finals for the second time in three WODCs, good
show.
Debate of the round: , Canada vs. Australia debating the subject
of "Governments of resource rich nations should impose high taxes.”, This
debate boasted clean, structured, arguments and a plethora of cited resources to
back them up. On this a happy adjudicator Andy Hume remarked, “For these
reasons (among many others; these are only a small selection) I awarded a
narrow victory to the Proposition team. Well done to both sides.” It was also a
good debate for the sportsmanship shown by team captain Amie Mcgraw, who
conceded graceful defeat and well wishes to the winning Canadian team on the
WODC's facebook group. The perfect sign off to a great contest with Australia
equalling their nations’ best; meanwhile Canada drew ever closer to a possible
semi final with the Czech Republic. Congratulations to all qualifying teams and
those who made it into the second round.
Results
Latvia V Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan win by adjudication
Czech Republic V Scotland
Czech Republic won by default
Canada V Australia
Canada wins by Adjudication
Colombia V Venezuela
Venezuela wins by Adjudication
Pakistan 2 V Republic of Korea
Republic of Korea wins by Adjudication
Mexico V Mongolia 1
Mexico win by adjudication
Romania V England
Romania Win by walkover
Macedonia V Israel won by adjudication.
Retirements: Scotland and England
Comments
i agree