Global Debate: Beihang World Debate Academy Completes Successfully in Beijing

About 150 university debaters from all parts of China gathered at Beihang University in Beijing for the eight-day 2013 Beihang World Debate Academy, sponsored by Beihang University, Beihang English Debate Society, Za in Proti Slovenia and the World Debate Institute. The program was designed as a salute to the work of two amaing Asian trainers, Loke Wing Fatt of Singapore and Zheng Bo of China, who are largely responsibile for the explosive growth of debating in China.

Participants in demonstration debate on China television pose for the cameras

This salute was actualized by bringing the best faculty possible to Beijing for the program. Besides Zheng Bo, Chinese trainer Chen Cong was in attendance. Foreign luminaries included Ben Woolgar of Oxford, Jernej Podgornik of Slovenia, Milan Vingjevic of Serbia, John Sadek of the USA, Drew Adamczyk of the USA, Monica Ferris of Canada, Geetha Creffield of Singapore, Jessica Bullock of the USA, Mariel Golden of the USA and Aboubakar of the USA. The program was directed by Xu Guohong of Beihang with curriculum design by Alfred Snider of the World Debate Institute and the University of Vermont.

Strongly supported by the university and the local debate community, the program was able to have intensive days of debate instruction that included two practice debates, numerous exercise group sessions, a few lectures and some elective courses students could choose among.

After an opening assembly staged by the university and a demonstration debate on whether the Chinese government should subsidize rural failes who raise daughters (https://vimeo.com/72586160 ) the program began in earnest.

Professor Xu Guohong, the program director, poses next to one of the banners.

The students kept their energy up and the learning curve was steep. “They are amazingly better than they were just two days ago,” said Milan Vingjevic of Serbia, “they learn and adjust very well.”

There was no free day and the learning continued from 8:30 AM until 6 PM. Then, the tournament began. It involved five prelims and quarterfinals, since so many were at their first tournament. Guest judges from the area and those who were in Beijing at the time dropped in to help. On break night there was an epic party at a very posh restaurant that was complete with karaoke, games and dancing as well as savory dishes.

Spicey donkey featured at the break night party (and so many more great dishes)!

The break was exciting and spirited, and the debates the next day were spirited, informed and a good measure of how the students had improved.

The full tab can be found athttp://debate.uvm.edu/tabs/bwda2013/

Top ten speakers.

The winning team.

The team “2 Broke Boys” Zhang Qiuyu and Wu Weihao were named the tournament champions, both Beihang students. The team “Hey Chick” Wyang Chen and Kaiden Sin took second.

The top ten speakers were:
1 Song Ge 402
2 Xiong Zhuqing 392
3 Zhang Qiuyu 388
4 Wu Weihao 382
5 Yu Jing 380
5 Xiang Wei 380
7 Lin Yuxin 379
8 Akran Amut 378
9 Chen Jing 376
9 Kitty Kwok 376
9 Song Gao 376
9 Luo Dan 376

The setting for the program was ideal, with the excellent hotel for the faculty literally 50 meters from the classroom building, which is the largest building in Asia.

Classroom building from hotel window.

The university administration has requested that another such event take place next year. It is currently scheduled for 18-25 July 2014, again in Beijing.

It should be another amazing experience.

See details as they unfold athttp://debateacademy.net/Debate_Academy/Beijing.html