WDI Europe Schools Program Concludes

 View from window at the site

Eighty-six people came from eleven countries to engage in an extremely intensive week of debate training at the Second World Schools Debate Academy in Slovenia, sponsored by Za in Proti, the World Debate Institute and the USA Embassy in Slovenia.

The days were full and everyone was kept busy. Students were divided into two groups based on experience and there was also a fairly large group ot teachers who had come for training and they had separate sessions most of the time. Morniong would begin with lectures for each of the three groups. Intensive exercises and drills followed on the theme of the lecture for both student groups. Teachers received additiopnal instruction, often on how to train and methods to use. Then, just before lunch, there would be a one-hour elective on either debating techniques or content areas. After lunch there would be additional electives or time to prep for a motion upcoming. After dinner there would be a practice debate, though on some days they were in the afternoon. About 9:30 or 10 PM things would wind down, depending on the schedule of the World Cup, in which case it might end earlier.

The faculty included:

• Stephen Boyle, now coach at University of Vermont, Irish Times National Champion, quarterfinalist at WUDC Cork debating for University College Dublin, winner of Hart House and Yale tournaments.
• Maja Cimerman, member of the Team Slovenia at Worlds Schools Debate Championship 2006, 2007 (EFL World Champion WSDC Korea, and second speaker ESL at World Universities Debating Championship in Turkey 2010, faculty member at WSDC-Mini ion Qatar 2010.
• Filip Dobranic, member of the Team Slovenia at Worlds Schools Debate Championship in 2006, 2007, 2008 (Top EFL speaker at WSDC 2007 Korea and 2008 USA, EFL World Champion WSDC 2007 Korea and 2008 Washington) and first speaker EFL at World Universities Debating Championship in Turkey 2010.
• Megan Harlow, European Graduate School, USA. Experienced international trainer back from Iraq Debate Academy, USA national novice policy debate champion.
• Anna Mojca England Kerr, member of the Team Slovenia at Worlds Schools Debate Championship 2006, 2007 (EFL World Champion WSDC Korea).
• Rhydian Morgan, Great Britain, Chief Adjudictor at numerous tournaments and trainer, faculty member at WSDC-Mini in Qatar 2010. 
• Samo Novak, Slovenia, former top speaker at IDAS  and Slovenia WSDC member.
• David Register, University of Vermont, USA, award-winning coach, breaking judge at US Universities Debating Championship 2009.
• Bojana Skrt, Za in proti, zavod za kulturo dialoga, Slovenia (EFL Worlds Champion Coach WSDC Canada, Korea, USA; ESL Worlds Champion Coach WSDC Qatar 2010), faculty member at WSDC-Mini in Qatar 2010.
• Alfred C. Snider, University of Vermont, USA, award-winning coach, faculty member at WSDC-Mini in Qatar 2010.
• Anja Šerc, Za in proti, zavod za kulturo dialoga, Slovenia, Faculty at WSDC-Mini in Qatar 2009. 
• Vanja Vrecic, Slovenia, member of WSDC world champion EFL team. 
• Ruth Zisman, Doctoral Fellow at New York University, USA, award-winning coach.
• Barbara Zitek, Slovenia, star university debater. 

 Top ten speakers

A five round tournament followed with prepared and impromptu motions. Top speakers were:

1. Heather Pickerell, Hong Kong/USA
2. Lenka Habetinova, Czech Republic
3. Lea Benk, Germany
4. Jernej Fink, Slovenia
5. Mojca Jutersek, Slovenia
6. Zoran Fijavz, Slovenia
7. Eman Al-Musleh, Qatar
8. Ann-Catrin Spranger, Germany
9. Anna-Lisa Funk, Germany
10. Mary Gonzalez, USA

 First place team (top), Second place team (bottom)

In the final round 5-0 Team A (Heather Pickerell, Matus Bachen, Jaroslav Leitmann) triumphed in a split decision over 4-1 Beyond Perfect (Mojca Jutersek, Petra Komat, Lenka Habetinova).

The location was extremely beautiful, nestled in the Julian Alps in the small ski resort of Kransjka Gora. The incredible views and the charming little Slovenian village added immeasurably to the event.

Everyone looks forward to another great event next year.

http://debate.uvm.edu/wsda.html

Full results at http://debate.uvm.edu/dcpdf/wsda10fulltab.pdf