Debating excellence 2024

“Think like a scientist, Speak like an artist”
– Shawn Donnan

The Bhawanipur Education Society College in collaboration with the Calcutta Debating Club (CDC) organized a debate workshop on 27th June 2024, from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. in the Society Hall where professional debate coaches from prestigious institutions like Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford, Yale and the London School of Economics presided over the workshop and shared their valuable insights. Ms. Heather and Mr. Jordan led the workshop along with the other debate coaches helping them out. Mr. Shawn Donnan, a renowned personality in the world of debate and International Relations addressed the audience via a heartful and overwhelming video message. He stated that “debating doesn’t only consist of proving a point, it also involves analyzing, being substantial, and convincing the audience as well.”

In the latter half of the workshop, Ms. Heather divided the 18 participants into 3 groups consisting of 6 students each. One group comprised the absolute beginners while the other two comprised people who have had prior experience in debating. The break-out session of 90 minutes was conducted to walk the students through the “OXFORD DEBATE FORMAT” which is dominant in the continent of Europe and is slowly making its way through other countries as well. “ Prediction now, Action then” was something that Ms. Heather and Mr. Joe taught as the basics to prepare for a debate. The students were given motions, asked to interact, make propositions, and had the opportunity to clear any doubts they had regarding the format.

This exciting and delightful workshop came to an end with Prof. Dilip Shah, Rector and Dean of Student Affairs delivering a vote of thanks and expressing his gratitude for the remarkable success of this workshop. The students claimed to have a wonderful and enthralling learning experience and said that they look forward to more of this.

Reporter: Dhriti Mehta
Photographer: Agrag Ghosh