New Zealand Schools’ Debating

In Athens this morning Holly, Tom and Maria defeated Chile by 3-0, proposing the motion “This House would encourage the use of civilian nuclear energy”.

The crunch round is an impromptu debate against Scotland this afternoon.

NZ completed a good first day at Worlds 2009 by beating Bangladesh in round two on the topic “This House would not eat meat”. New Zealand opposed the motion.

NZ is off to a winning start at the 2009 World Schools Debating Champs. This morning (Athens time) they defeated Canada by a 2-1 margin, proposing “That cultural treasures should be returned to their area of origin.”

The New Zealand Schools’ Debating Team leaves today for the 2009 World Schools’ Debating Championships in Athens, Greece, aiming to do one place better than their amazing runner-up performance in Washington in September.

The five person team consists of Maria English (Captain, Wellington), Ben Kornfeld (Auckland), Holly Jenkins (Wellington), Jennifer Savage (Wanganui) and Tom Chen (Hamilton).

The team is accompanied by coaches Julia Fetherston and Kevin Moar.

New Zealand is also sending three adjudicators: Claire Ryan, Rosy Moar, and Jordan Ward.

Rounds 1 and 2 are on the 11th of February. You can find the draw by clicking here. Results will be posted here, round by round, as they come to hand.