BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The World Debate Organization is a non-profit educational corporation with its legal base in Vermont, USA and many global affiliates.

The World Debate Organization has formed to promote rational discourse in the global public sphere and to give citizens voice through participation in and the exercise of debating throughout the world, especially in schools. The Organization exists to support and facilitate existing national and regional debate organizations and also to encourage and support debating activities in nations, regions, and communities which do not currently have them. Through broad participation in debating activities the Organization hopes to promote critical thinking and public advocacy, both important for the evolution of true civil societies throughout the world. This can be accomplished by targeting citizens and students, by promoting non-competitive and competitive debating, and by integrating debate activities into existing channels for public expression.

Projects of the World Debate Organization:

• Develop and promote a broad range of debate formats in non-competitive and competitive settings.

• Create and facilitate global debating activities through the use of new media.

• Develop curricular and training materials in various debate formats and techniques, and make these materials globally available, including training and supporting teachers of debating techniques.

• Encourage and facilitate resource sharing of information, research, and expertise.

• Sponsor regional and global events to promote understanding and cooperation.

• Facilitate networking of nations and organizations to promote debate tours, cooperative training opportunities, and cultural exchanges.

• Engage in fundraising activities and subsequently coordinate grants to national and regional organizations promoting the practice of debate.

• Develop a global internet archive and information system to promote debating.

Organizational Process:

• The World Debate Organization has established itself as a non-profit educational corporation. It’s first meeting was held in Carbondale, Illinois, USA 3/21/99.

• Affiliation will be available to all interested individuals, organizations, and institutions.

• The World Debate Organization will attempt to create a multilogue between existing organizations, actively seeking their participation and thus facilitating mutual development and success.

Officers of the World Debate Organization:

• President, Alfred C. Snider, Edwin Lawrence Professor of Forensics, University of Vermont, USA.

• Secretary and Treasurer, Terrance McKnight, esq., USA.

Board of Directors:

• David M. Berube, Professor of Speech, University of South Carolina, USA.

• Tomislav Kargacin, Free Debate Club of Novi Sad, Yugoslavia.

• John Meany, Director of Forensics, Claremont Colleges, California, USA.

• Rodrigo Rojas, Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago, Chile.

• Gyeongho Hur, Professor of Journalism and Communication Studies, Kyung Hee University, Korea.

Initial Efforts:

• Solicitation of affiliates.

• Contact with known debate organizations in many nations, institutions supporting debate activities, and individuals interested in supporting debate.

• Information meetings to be held at debate events wherever they may occur, including conventions and tournaments.

• Promotion of parliamentary debating in American high schools.
  

• Initial fundraising activities and grant solicitation.

• Initial planning for a World Olympics of Debate.