Summer Debating School
CO. MONAGHAN VEC PEACE III YOUNG DEBATERS DELIVER PUBLIC DEBATES
Twenty one young people (15 – 21 years) successfully completed a comprehensive Summer Debating School during the week of July 5th 2010 and are now preparing to participate in five public debates in Co. Monaghan. These debating opportunities are organised and supported by Co. Monaghan VEC Peace III Project.
The five day Debating Summer School began by exploring issues of legacy, sectarianism, cultural and religious diversity and perceptions of Northern Ireland. The importance of research and fact finding was stressed and indeed highlighted through a twenty question team quiz. Media clips of debates were also shown and invoked lively discussion.
On the second day the young people were involved in using drama to develop their personal presentation skills. Emphasis was placed on posture, demeanour, voice projection and in particular prior preparation. The participants worked in teams to prepare and present a news programme and it was clear that great progress had been made. This day was facilitated by John Ryan from CRAIC Theatre in Coalisland.
Day three involved working with Martin Shannon formerly a presenter with Northern Sound Radio. Martin gave the young people the opportunity to debate a range of topics and emphasised the need to present arguments clearly, listen to other viewpoints and respond clearly. A Pat Kenny style debate gave the opportunity to listeners to agree, disagree, refute and rebut.
On the fourth day the participants began to prepare their own presentations with an emphasis on structuring thoughts, using examples and availing of statistics. The young people were filmed during their presentations and these were then played back. Feedback was given on voice projection, eye contact with the audience, tone, length and speed of delivery.
On Friday 9th July two formal team debates were held. This encouraged the young people to use logic in structuring their arguments, to use their presenting skills and to listen for opportunities to refute and rebut.
Subsequently the young people prepared and participated in five community debates during the week of July 26th. Each debate commenced at 7.30pm and the dates, venues and venues were as follows:
Monday July 26th Leonard Arms Hotel, Clones Topic: Euthanasia.
Tuesday July 27th Four Seasons Hotel Monaghan Topic: Compulsory Irish at Second Level
Wednesday July 28th Ballybay Wetland Centre Topic: Ireland, Young People and The Future
Thursday July 29th shirley Arms Hotel Carrickmacross Topic: Patriotism
Friday July 30th Glencarn Hotel Castleblayney Topic: The Media & Young People
The debates were open to the public and all were welcome to attend and support the young people.
The Co. Monaghan VEC Peace III Project is part-funded by the European Union’s Regional Development Fund through the Peace III Programme and supported by Monaghan Peace III Partnership. For further information contact Maeve McCabe, VEC Youth Officer, 047-30888