Kuwait Schools Debate League Lands a Major Sponsor

From http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20081008092415/ExxonMobil%20Supports%20the%20Kuwait%20Debate%20League

ExxonMobil Supports the Kuwait Debate League

ExxonMobil Exploration sponsors the Kuwait Debate League's Trip to Washington D.C.
Kuwait - October 8, 2008 - Today, ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Kuwait Limited, a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation, a global leader in the oil, gas and petrochemicals industry, announced its support of the Kuwait Debate League and their participation in the World Schools' Debating Championship (WSDC) held in Washington D.C. from September 5th - September 15th 2008.

The WSDC is a global competition for high school debaters. The Championships take place each year in a different country, hosted by a national debating body. Recent venues include Sydney, London, Johannesburg, Singapore and Lima. All debates take place in English. Each country can submit a squad of 3-5 students under 19 years of age in full time education in that country to debate social, moral and political issues. Past patrons of the Championships include Tony Blair and Nelson Mandela.

ExxonMobil believes in investing in the communities in which it works. This is not only a key corporate pillar but it is part of a larger commitment to be an active corporate citizen and a good global neighbor. "In the Middle East, and in the Gulf region in particular, we have concentrated on actively contributing to education, health and community programs," commented John Hoholick, President of ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Kuwait Limited. "When we were approached by the British School of Kuwait, which also acts as the agent for WSDC, to sponsor a member of their debate league we were happy to learn more about their initiatives. After meeting Ascia Al-Farraj, captain of the Kuwait Schools' Debating League (KSDL) and Emma Bowie Director of KSDL we saw their commitment to the league and we knew that this was an important project to support."

"During our stay in Washington D.C., we were involved in probably the most intense and competitive school event in the world. At this year's competition 41 teams have registered for the 2008 WSDC. As well as competing against other nations, the KSDL represented their country at several official functions where they were called upon to meet with ambassadors and other dignitaries. The whole experience was an unforgettable one for the team. It truly is a life-changing event, and I would like to thank ExxonMobil for the generosity that they have shown in support of our team." commented Emma Bowie, Director of the Kuwait Schools' Debating Championship. "It's safe to say that our team did an excellent job, and I hope we get more students to join us in the future."

ExxonMobil has a long history of supporting and improving educational programs. In all countries, basic education is necessary to spur development and economic growth. In 2007, ExxonMobil directed more than $70 million to education worldwide.

WSDC Recignized by World Trade Centers Globally

Students from England and New Zealand at final debating competition hosted by WTC-DC

From http://world.wtca.org/portal/site/wtcaonline/template.MAXIMIZE/menuitem.123e0d353e56e5d80d6665b631208a0c/?javax.portlet.tpst=072f2c5fd18c843efe8326fbbd8ec13e_ws_MX&javax.portlet.prp_072f2c5fd18c843efe8326fbbd8ec13e_viewID=epiproxybanner&javax.portlet.prp_072f2c5fd18c843efe8326fbbd8ec13e_epiproxyrealurl=http%3A%2F%2Fworld.wtca.org%2Fnews%2Fcurrent%2Fpage7.shtml&javax.portlet.prp_072f2c5fd18c843efe8326fbbd8ec13e_epiproxymethod=get&beanID=1028340186&viewID=epiproxybanner&javax.portlet.begCacheTok=token&javax.portlet.endCacheTok=token

WTC-DC hosts world class debating competition
High school students from 39 nations participate

WASHINGTON, D.C. – WTC-DC, the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, sponsored the final round of the 2008 World Schools Debating Championship (WSDC) September 15, an event that featured talented high school-aged scholars from 39 nations. The final debate, which examined a possible expansion of UN Security Council membership, culminated the ten-day tournament in dramatic fashion with Team England narrowly edging out Team New Zealand to claim top honors.
The WSDC was founded in 1988 as a vehicle for youth to engage in meaningful dialogue. Each year the championships are held in a different international city hosted by a national debating body. Recent venues have included Sydney, Johannesburg, Singapore, and Lima. In recent years, the WSDC has held its closing sessions in the Israeli Knesset, the English Parliament and Australia’s Old Parliament House. This year, student delegations from Argentina to Zimbabwe flocked to Washington, D.C. to learn about American culture first-hand and to benefit from the unique perspectives and world views of their fellow competitors.

India Attends WSDC for First Time

From http://www.indiaedunews.net/International/India%5Fenters%5FWorld%5FSchools%5FDebating%5FChampionships%5F5932/

India enters World Schools Debating Championships
September 08, 2008
New Delhi: Five students from recognized schools in Chennai will represent India for the first time ever in the World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC) to be held in Washington DC, USA from September 5 - 15, 2008.

Started as a unique training session by Ramco Systems, the selected students for the first time will make India proud and stand up on the debating stage.

39 countries will be participating in the internationally acclaimed 2008 WSDC.

S. Pranav Kumar (Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Sr. Sec. School, K.K. Nagar, Std. IX), Sithara Rasheed (Sri Sankara Sr. Sec. School, Adyar, Std. XI), Rajalakshmi Natarajan (Sri Sankara Sr. Sec. School, Adyar, Std. XI), Shreya Murali (Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Sr. Sec. School, Nungambakkam, Std. IX) and Amrithavarshini (Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Sr. Sec. School, Nungambakkam, Std. IX) will represent the Indian team.

India's first debate will be against Slovakia, followed by Bermuda, Pakistan, Australia, Mexico, Japan, USA and South Korea.

Coached by Andrew Fitch, a renowned debater from the English Speaking Union, UK and managed by Ms. Padmini, Principal - Arsha Vidya Mandir the five students have had series of training modules preparing them for the championship.

Ramco Systems will sponsor the entire visit of the students and coaches.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. P.R. Venketrama Raja Vice Chairman, Managing Director & CEO, Ramco Systems said, "Events like these provide students an excellent opportunity to go international and interact with the best coaches and students from other prestigious schools. Ramco Systems is proud to sponsor this historic event for the first time in India which is aimed to give a wonderful platform for students to debate. Structure Debating helps our children to think logically and put forward their point of view with grace and elegance. Our children are our future and we need to put in our efforts for our country's better tomorrow".

Coach Andrew Fitch, English Speaking Union added, "Its going to be a real challenge for the team but our team is all geared up and I think the sky is the limit for them."

39 teams have registered for the 2008 WSDC in Washington DC. Few of the participating countries are Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Czech Republic, England, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, United States, Zimbabwe etc.

The World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC) is a global competition for high school debaters. The Championships take place each year in a different country, hosted by a national debating body.

Recent venues include Sydney, London, Johannesburg, Singapore, Lima and in 2006 Cardiff, Wales.

All Debates take place in English. Each country can submit a squad of 3-5 students under 19 in full time education in that country to debate social, moral and political issues. Post patrons of the championships include Tony Blair and Nelson Mandela.

The aims of the World Schools Debating Champions are to achieve excellence in debating, to encourage debating throughout the world, to promote international understanding and free speech.