*The Debatewise Blog
WODC update on Day three
HiDebatewise HQ here with an update on day three of the WODC
First up, some overdue congratulations to STJ- New Kids on the Opp who won their preliminary round in what was the toughest and strongest field of the three preliminary matches. They managed to win both their debate and get selected over their other three rivals as the best team out of two debates both over whether "Assisted Suicide should be Permitted". Both debates were concisely and accurately described by Johnathan Leader Maynard as both: " high quality debates in argumentation, evidence and sheer quality . However both judges ruled that they also thought that all teams needed to be more briefer and straight to the point and that Team Phillips and Best of Both Coasts were too eager to scrap point for point- possibly as a result of something debated.
Their victory got a positive reaction from Korey Pace the team captain : "First of all, we are very honored to represent the USA as well as St. John's University in the WODC. Looking at the countries whom are participating, there seems to be a representative from every part of the world which will provide lots of interesting and unique perspectives on various topics. This tournament has already been a great learning experience for us because the format calls not only for persuasiveness but also an ample amount of research to back it up. We are looking forward to competing as long as we can in this tournament as the information and feedback we have been receiving has simply just been unmatched to any other tournament we have competed in. We wish the best of luck to [Bosnia], but we are fully determined to win." A brief set of happy and confident remarks from a team who arguably won the toughest and maybe the most fiercely contested preliminary round of the WODC but still like the rest of the teams still in the competition have some more challenges ahead of them.
Our other preliminary debate winners China are also in their own words "excited" to be competing in the WODC particularly as this is Zachary Gill's first competitive debate (nice to see new people competitively debating and a possible chance of giant killing) alongside Frances Chou who is more experienced and the team captain. They're also a bit nervous to be competing against Scotland as : "..I'm guessing they are somewhat experienced and we might be out manned if they have a bigger team than we do. However, we will do our best and look forward to the challenge."
In the mean time we've got a couple of debates for you to follow and to vote on although there is the increasing possibility that a couple of active debates will be declared forfeit so WATCH THIS SPACE to see if we get our first qualifiers a little earlier than we expected . Anyway the debates ongoing in Round 1 are:
Bulgaria ( Proposing) V Israel (Opposing) "
Should all countries have the right to pursue a nuclear defence?" http://www.debatewise.com/debates/1000-all-countries-should-have-the-right-to-pursue-a-nuclear-defence
By the way this is the the one thousandth debate created on Debatewise as a whole. Kind of a milestone although we won't be uncorking the champagne in the office just yet,,, (Four digits yahoo!) but we can allow a few grins at least . As this goes to press we've currently got 624 published debates which is a hundred and one away from a big 750 debates so maybe some celebrations will be in order then...
Venezuela (P) V Indonesia ( O) "Dictatorship is the best path to development"
http://www.debatewise.com/debates/1001-dictatorship-is-the-best-path-to-development
Nigeria (P) V Estonia (O) "All patents should be removed on anti retroviral drugs to fight aids"
http://www.debatewise.com/debates/999-all-patents-should-be-removed-on-anti-retroviral-drugs-to-fight-aids
Dubai (P) V Mexico (O) "Convicted paedophiles should be chemically castrated"
http://www.debatewise.com/debates/1002-convicted-paedophiles-should-be-chemically-castrated
Tomorrow sees the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan start their match against our other African representative in the World Online Debate Championships South Africa, Also as mentioned more than previously, the Chinese team continue their journey in the championships with their first international opponents coming in the form of Scotland. Should be some interesting contests in what is shaping up to be an interesting competition.