Do you think that you have quite a settled opinion on a matter and nevertheless happen to run into dead-ends during a discussion at times? Do you often find yourself playing the devil’s advocate to reach the bedrock reasons for defending a certain position? Are you interested in a broad range of topics and yet a friend of solid argumentation and sound logic? If you answered one or more of these questions in the affirmative, the upcoming event on debating will surely be right up your alley.
After the success of the previous editions, another workshop in debating will be offered in 2019. It introduces you to the English speaking university debating tradition, brought to you by experienced debaters. In this specific form of debate emphasis is put on content and arguments. Consequently the primary focus does not lie on rhetoric or presentation, however – as a desirable side effect– these skills will improve automatically the more training you receive.
In this competitive form of debating, you are assigned either to defend or to oppose a given (controversial) motion together with a team-partner. Such debates are competitive because you are given only 15 minutes to prepare your short speeches and because they are usually organised in the form of tournaments. During the IT we will hold our own tournament, giving you an excellent opportunity to practise and test your debating skills, while competing against fellow members of the Swiss Study Foundation. You are given the opportunity to debate interesting topics in political, social or economic context and sharpen your views and arguments regarding these matters.
The art of debating will be taught by three internationally renowned trainers, among them former European and Dutch national champions. They will introduce you to this specific form of debating using a hands-on, step-by-step approach. Their valuable feedback and experience will provide you with the tools to structure your argumentation better, be more convincing in debates and, eventually, make you a better speaker.
Working language is English. However, the event will be held by non-native speakers. A basic working knowledge is therefore absolutely sufficient for participation. No advanced language skills are needed.
Additionally, in the aftermath of the IT there will be a debating tournament, on the 6th of April 2019 in Lucerne. The tournament offers an ideal opportunity to test your debating skills against a wider range of debaters, as not only participants of this year’s edition of the IT, but also participants of previous editions, interested members of the Swiss Study Foundation as well as members of university debating clubs will be competing against each other (details to follow).
This follow-up tournament is an integral component of the workshop, participation is therefore expected by all participants. However, those not wishing to compete in the tournament have the option of opting-out. The desire to opt-out can already be announced in the motivational letter, yet it can also be communicated with the organizers at any point of the IT.
This event is organised by the Debating Society, which consists of a group of students of the Swiss Study Foundation (Maurizio Cortada, Franca Fellmann, Andrin Flütsch, Sandro Pirovino, Samuel Tschopp, Philippe Valmaggia).
If you have any questions contact us at: debating@studienstiftung.ch
Location: Hotel/Restaurant Roter Turm, Solothurn
Coordination: Dr. Barbara Dankwa
Administrative support: Samira Landolt
