Neill Harvey-Smith Self-Report

I wrote Neill and asked him to let me know about his status and the situation with WUDC governance. While I am now in Jordan, I received this response:

Thank you for your warm wishes. We are very excited about Rosie's first Christmas. I also want to congratulate you on your work in the Middle East and look forward to hearing a lot more about it.

On November 21st I announced that I would not stand again for the Chair of Worlds Council and would not be attending Koc Worlds. As a result, the Registrar, Adiba Shareen will take the Chair in Turkey according to custom. I will remain deeply involved in global debate - twice the energy with half the air miles. In 2010 I am launching Debate Ambulance, a global programme which will link the best debate coaches with debate clubs in remote and poorer countries. I will deepen my involvement with WODC II after the success of the first tournament. I shall work with IDEA on promoting unity with diversity for the various debate communities and styles. I will be active in civil society programmes involving debate, including a British Council initiative about Islam in Western Europe. I am also writing a practical guide to worlds-style debating which will be published next year. In short, I am broadening my work to go beyond debating competitions and engage new people with the tools and potential of debate.

I really hope that's useful and am always happy to talk more. I hope we can collaborate on projects which interest you and, as ever, I am in admiration of the job you have done taking debate to new frontiers. News of your experiences I can learn from are always welcome.

Best wishes and happy holidays

Neill