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Debate it! Blog Monday, 28 January 2008

Allow us to introduce Eimear Louth from St Mary’s College, Arklow, this week’s guest blogger. Take it away Eimear:

Hi, I am a researcher for my school’s Concern debate team. At present I am doing my work experience in the Development Education and Debates department in the Concern head office. 

It has been really interesting to get an insight into how the debates are organised. There is a lot of work put into the running of the debates and coming up with motions. I never before realised all the work that goes into researching both sides of every motion. I've also learned that adjudicators are like gold dust!
My own experience with the debates has been good. My school's team are very talented speakers but unfortunately we did not get through to the knockout phase! I thought the Round One motion “Overseas development aid is a waste of money” was really interesting. Our team were opposed to the motion, which I agree with, and it was a very heated debate on the night. I was really surprised by the Round Three motion “’Ireland inc.' is demonstrating genuine commitment to tackling global warming”. I never really associated Concern with the environment. It was also an excellent topic to discuss.
 
The motion for Round Five is "The Western Media is superficial in its portrayal of the Developing World". Even though my school will not be participating in this round, I think it will be a really interesting one for people to research. I have been doing research for it here in Concern. By the way, it is an excellent motion because I helped with it!
I think the debates are a really great way of educating people on issues of development and hopefully will encourage people to further help to positively develop our world.

Good luck to all the teams left in the competition!

• If any of the rest of you wish to contribute to this blog, email us at debates@concern.net.

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