Shortly before the World Debating Championships (WUDC or Worlds) 2011 start in Gaborone – some very early birds have already travelled to southern Africa – the convenors ask to get it over with the last technicalities. Therefore, read the survival guide available on the Botswana Worlds 2011 website. What is it you need to know? Well, bring sun screen, ethernet wire, insect repellent, electrical adaptors and other things you might not be able to live without during your ten-day stay in Botswana’s capital.

Another requirement is to do the adjudication test which will be held online on www.botswanaworlds.com from 18 December. You are asked to read the training material beforehand. The test is compulsory for all judges at Worlds 2011. You will have to watch a video debate and answer several question on it during the following five days.

Since 1981, debaters from all over the world have been competing at the World Universities Debating Championships at alternating locations across the planet. It was not before 1996 that the British Parliamentary Style became the mandatory format for this annual tournament. The African continent has been host to previous Worlds and stages the Worlds now for a third time, this year from 27 December 2010 to 4 January 2011 at the University of Botswana, Gaborone. The tournament’s schedule is accessible on the WUDC 2011 homepage. Language of debate is English and there are three categories: “Main” for native speakers, “ESL” (English as a Second Language, for those who prove great proficiency in English) and “EFL” (English as a Foreign Language, for those who studied English as a mere subject).

apf / glx