ENGLISH

Dollar Academy represents Scotland

at the World Debating Championships

Image by kind permission of Alan Richardson Photography Dundee

Teams from 48 countries have arrived in Dundee as Scotland plays host to the 2011 World Schools Debating Championship.  Representing the home side are Calum Worsley, 17, from Stirling, and Ruth Cameron 16, from Dollar.  Both are day pupils at Dollar Academy.

The Scotland team is made up of the nation’s top five debaters, aged between 14 and 19.  There was a tough selection process, so it is a great achievement that two pupils from the Clackmannanshire school have been picked.

The sixth form pupils have been preparing for the competition since noon on the 1 June, when the four motions were announced.  Together with their three teammates they arrived in Dundee last week along with competitors from around the world, including Argentina, South Africa, New Zealand and China, as well as home teams from England and Wales.  

Taking a break from preparing for his debates over the weekend, Calum commented:   “We're really enjoying being part of WSDC, not only for the extremely high quality of debating on show, but for everything else that World Schools brings about. Being able to spend your evenings interacting with 300 people from 47 other countries, who share, not just your interest with debating, but many others, is a fantastic experience. The challenge of facing strong nations like Wales and South Africa is obviously most enjoyable, though what is particularly impressive is countries debating at such a high level in their second or third language.”

Head of English at Dollar Academy, Kate Murray, who travelled to Dundee at the weekend as part of the home support said: “It’s a remarkable scene in Dundee: the whole place feels charged with fizzing intellectual energies. In classrooms, lecture theatres and even gyms across the city, young debaters from all over the world are proving themselves to be extraordinary thinkers and communicators. They are also friendly, lively, interesting, and a pleasure to be with.  We are very proud to be represented at this tournament by two of our senior pupils.”

The competition is running over ten days, with debates, educational day trips and social events.  The teams are debating current social, moral and political issues, with the winners being crowned world champions after the grand final on the 25th August.

This international annual tournament brings together young people who are destined to become the business, political and community leaders of tomorrow.  The event is held in a different host country each year.  Dundee was awarded the competition this year after a successful bid from the City Council.

August 2011