Winter 11 Featuring: The Buckingham Palace Awards Ceremony ...

DEBATE ACADEMY
The ESU’s 11th annual Debate Academy took place at
Oakham School, Rutland, in July.
Once again, a group of aspiring young debaters journeyed
from across the UK to participate in a series of seminars,
lectures and debates organised by staff and mentors. And
this year, Debate Academy was bigger than ever. It was
filled to capacity with 120 students, with many more on the
waiting list who we hope will be able to join us next year.
This time round, we were able to offer an unprecedented
level of financial support, providing over £5,000 worth of
bursaries to students who would otherwise not have been
able to attend.
Debate Academy went international this year with a new
World Schools format course attracting students from as far
afield as Mexico, Slovenia and South Africa.
As usual, the students threw themselves into the activities,
seminars and debates with infectious enthusiasm. Thanks to
the support of our expert team of coaches and mentors,
students were able to grow in confidence and ability
throughout the academy. They debated a host of current
affairs topics ranging from banning tabloid newspapers to
allowing students to vote out their teachers. However, the
academy wasn’t purely about debating. In the evenings
students had time to meet like-minded people of their own
age, engage in competitions and quizzes and socialise and
relax in the gorgeous surroundings of Oakham School.
The course culminated with the traditional beginners’
display debate – where those who had little experience of
debate before the weekend debated in front of the whole
academy. This was a great success with the teams providing
excellent arguments whilst also keeping the audience
entertained on the topic of whether parents should have
access to their children’s social networking accounts.
ESU staff members involved in the weekend would like to
thank all the students for their enthusiasm and
inquisitiveness throughout the course. We are also hugely
grateful to our incredible mentors. The weekend could not
have happened without the selfless dedication of our team
who gave up their time – for free – to form a truly worldclass
faculty.
INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING
Pat Schroeder (right), Chair of ESU USA with ESU Philadelphia
members
Jon Dye, Deputy-Chair ESU, chairing a Princeton v Columbia debate
in front of Independence Hall, Philadelphia
Forty delegates from 20 ESUs attended the International
Council Meeting held in Philadelphia in October. The event
was chaired by Patricia Schroeder, Chairman of the
Council and of ESU USA. Dame Mary Richardson and
Peter Kyle represented ESU Dartmouth House and Richard
Oldham represented England & Wales.
Key resolutions passed at the meeting included new rules
and procedures for elections and voting on the Council and
Terms of Reference for Honorary Posts. Dame Mary
thanked Lord Watson (Chairman Emeritus, International
Council 2005-2011) in absentia for his two, three-year terms
in office.
The AGM of ESU USA followed immediately after the
Council Meeting and international delegates had the
opportunity to network with members and Chairman from
USA branches.
DIALOGUE 17