Let the debating challenge begin!

Thursday, 28 March 2002

More than 300 students from around Australia have converged on the University of Adelaide to take part in the Economist 2002 National Intervarsity Debating Championship.

The Tournament is the nation's most prestigious debating tournament, regularly attracting the cream of Australia's tertiary students. It runs over the long weekend, from Friday March 29 to Sunday March 31.

All preliminary round and most finals debates will be held in the University of Adelaide's Napier and Engineering buildings, with the Grand Final being held in Bonython Hall on the Sunday.

The National Intervarsity Debating Championship is an annual event, hosted each year by a different debating society. Generally known as Easters, the 2002 tournament is hosted by the University of Adelaide. The last time the University hosted the event was in 1996.

The tournament's focus is to encourage university-level debaters from around Australia to debate in a competitive atmosphere, enhancing their argumentative and oral communication skills. At the same time they should be able to express their opinions on current topical issues, in the social economic and political arenas.

This year approximately 80 teams will enter the tournament, involving up to 350 people debating and/or adjudicating. Around 15 universities from around Australia have sent teams or representatives to the tournament, making the Adelaide tournament one of the biggest in recent years.

The major sponsor of the 2002 tournament is The Economist Magazine. The sport of debating and the Economist have long held a close relationship -- the content of The Economist being well suited to debaters' needs. Other contributors to the tournament include the University itself, the Adelaide University Clubs Association, the Adelaide University Union and the Adelaide Convention and Tourism Authority.

For more information visit the website at www.adelaideclubs.com.au/easters

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