York Union Debating Society

From Yorkipedia

The York Union Debating Society was founded in 2003, providing the University's first and foremost non-partisan forum for free discussion and debate. Discussing everything from international politics and morality to campus issues, the Union welcomes everyone of every political and religious persuasion. Its key focus is on developing a better understanding of the world and ways to change it, and on developing the debating skills of all its members, through classes and participation in IVs (Inter Varsity competitions).

1 Council 2007-8
2 Public Debates
3 Debating Classes
4 Inter Varsity Competitions
5 York IV
6 Speakers at the Union
7 Contact Details
8 External Links

[edit] Council 2007-8

President - Morven Hamilton
Secretary - Katie Holland
Treasurer - James Eustace
Debating Officer - Chris Woods
Social Secretary - Susie Plummer
Press and Publicity Officer - Paddy Keating
Press and Publicity Officer - Venita Nordon
IV Officer - Robin Jervis
IV Officer - Aris Catsambas
Speaker Secretary - Peter Hagen
Ordinary Member - Alex Round
Ordinary Member - Wj Soh

[edit] Public Debates

Every Tuesday night at 7pm, the York Union Debating Society hosts a public debate. These debates are conducted in parliamentary format: there are two sides, proposition and opposition, with two speakers on either side. Each speaker has five minutes in which to make their case, with a minute of protected time at either end of their speech and three minutes in the middle, during which any member of the other side may interrupt to make points against the speaker's argument. Order is kept by the Chair, who also opens the floor for questions from other students.

Speakers are picked on a weekly basis from a strong base of willing members within the society. Aspiring debaters are encouraged to put their name forward to the Debating Officer or President.

Recent motions at the public debates include:

This House believes that the first Black U.S. President would be a greater achievement than the first female one.
This House would boycott the Beijing Olympics.
This House believes in the right to offend religion.
This House believes in an independent Palestine.
This House has no confidence in the current government.

The Union is also known for hosting other events in place of its public debates at certain points each term, including Question Time panels with committee and exec members of the University's political societies, and debates conducted by guest speakers from other campus societies.

[edit] Debating Classes

What distinguishes the York Union Debating Society from the various other societies for political debate is that York Union is part of the British Debate circuit, along with the Unions of other universities. Public debates provide a forum for new thought, but at the same time, debating classes are provided for all members of all experience levels, to enable them to hone their debating skills. These classes are designed to improve both public speaking skills and analytical skills, and so in addition to allowing the Union to compete well at IV competitions, they also provide valuable life-skills for the members to make use of in their own careers.

Classes cater to the skill levels of all debaters, so the Debating Society runs both a Beginners' and an Advanced class, the times of which are advertised at the start of each term and again throughout the term at weekly debates.

[edit] Inter Varsity Competitions

Another part of the Union's schedule each term is competing at the Inter Varsity competitions staged by British, European and international Unions. Members of the Union can volunteer themselves to compete at any IVs they choose, from those staged in Manchester, Durham and Cambridge, for example, to those further afield, like the Worlds competition 2008, hosted in Tailinn, Estonia.

York Union, in a partnership with Lancaster Union, also cohosts the Roses Debating Cup, a yearly competition in conjunction with Roses sporting events. In 2008, York Union won the inaugural competition, and is the current trophy holder.

[edit] York IV

In January 2009, York Union will host its own IV, sponsored by Accenture.

[edit] Speakers at the Union

The Union, as well as providing a forum for discussion through its own debates, frequently plays host to a variety of thought-provoking speakers, including:

Professor Manuel Hassassian - Palestinian Ambassador to the U.K.
Dr Carl Hallam - Medecins Sans Frontiers doctor previously based in Bande Aceh and Darfur
Julian Knight - C.E.O. of climate pressure group Global Cool
Ian Bretman - C.E.O. of the Fairtrade Foundation