The International Debating Competition Sofia Pre-EUDC 2023 opened on Friday at the University of National and World Economy (UNWE), the university announced. The best debaters from Europe in recent years, including UNWE students, are taking part in the two-day event.
The organisers are the Bulgarian Debate Association, a non-governmental organisation with over 300 members and a network of clubs in many schools and universities across the country, and the Inter-University Centre for Career Development at UNWE.
Prof. Dr. Matilda Alexandrova, Vice-Rector for Academic Activities, opened the competition by wishing success to the participants on behalf of the Rector of UNWE - Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov. "I am very glad that the penultimate stage of this most prestigious European debate competition is held at our university. The winners will participate in the European Debating Championship, which Bulgaria is hosting for the first time and which will take place in Burgas from on August 21-25. A worthwhile debate requires creativity, solid argumentation, communication skills, these are important qualities that the participants possess. I am extremely happy that our students are competing with students from the most prestigious universities in Europe, including Oxford, Cambridge, London University of Economics and Political Science", said Prof. Alexandrova.
"A total of 150 debaters are competing on Friday, representing prestigious universities in Europe, who will be judged by 40 judges. This competition is of great importance for all participants, as it is something of a 'dress rehearsal' for the EUDC 2023 (European Debating Championships) in Burgas," said Maxim Zangov from the organising team of the international debating competition.
He explained that the debate format is the so-called "British Parliamentary", which is the most common in the world. Four teams of two take part in each debate. Two of the teams (called "the government") defend the given topic and the other two (the "opposition") oppose them. Each debate has a judge who announces the winner after the debate is over. The topics debated are varied, touching on politics, economics, social issues, philosophy and sports, with the specific topic for each debate announced just 15 minutes before the start.
On Saturday, August 19, four quarterfinal debates will be held, after which eight teams will proceed to the two semifinals. From these, the four finalists will be selected to compete at EUDC 2023 in Burgas.
/RY/
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