PAUDC (the Pan African Universities Debate Championship) was established in Gaberone, Botswana, in 2008 with a view to 'creating a sustainable culture of competitive debating across the African continent'.
The first two championships were held in Botswana, and the third in Namibia. As debate culture takes hold across African universities, the championships have grown from strength to strength.
The fourth is to be held in Zimbabwe from 4th to 11th December 2011 and delegates from Botswana, Cameroon, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda and the host nation are soon to arrive.
Aims of PAUDC (as seen on the official website)
http://www.africandebating.org/paudc/index.php/tournament-history/
1) To bring together university students from across the African continent to engage in competitive debating that will increase their critical thinking skills and foster key leadership skills
2) To create a platform for the establishment of an African Universities Debating Board which will facilitate the dissemination of training materials, coordination of Pan African debating events and cooperative fundraising efforts for international tournaments and training sessions
2) To create a platform for the establishment of an African Universities Debating Board which will facilitate the dissemination of training materials, coordination of Pan African debating events and cooperative fundraising efforts for international tournaments and training sessions
3) To create a forum in which the general African citizenry can be exposed to new ideas, discuss topical issues and thus be challenged to think critically
4) To build a culture of debate, that extends from the universities to schools and all areas of society
5) To develop structures that spread, support and encourage debate throughout the African continent, acting as an impetus for the development of debating in Africa by incentivizing debaters to represent their university and country at an accessible but prestigious international competition
VENUE - FALCON COLLEGE, ESIGODINI - 4TH-11TH DECEMBER 2011
50km from Bulawayo, on the Johannesburg Road, lies the independent boys boarding school Falcon College http://www.falconcollege.com/ (which also happens to be my alma mater). It is quite incredible to think my old school will be the venue of the continent's largest debate tournament - a convergence of bright young minds from across the continent, as they duel for Africa's ultimate accolade in debating.
The grand final will be held in Bulawayo's City Hall on Saturday 10th December, commencing at 6pm.
Over the next week I will be posting updates on the progress of the tournament. As a Zimbabwean, I should declare I am biased in hoping a team from the host nation will get as far as the finals!
Also, since I am a patron and advisor to the NUST (National University of Science and Technology) Debating Society (here in Bulawayo), I have a keen interest in seeing them get as far as possible in the competition. As the reigning Zimbabwe champions, they are a team to watch! They also did extremely well in the South African 'Nationals' in July 2011. www.facebook.com/debate.nust
Drew Shaw, Lecturer, National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo
No comments:
Post a Comment