Countdown: 341 days to go until De La Salle University (DLSU) Worlds 2012 kick-off in manila, Philippines.It was not until recently that VDCH debaters have returned from Gaborone, Botswana where they were taking part in this year’s World Universities Debating Championships (WUDC or Worlds). Still, if you are already desperately longing for next Worlds you may browse the websites of DLSU Worlds. There, the second issue of the Worlds Debate Magazine is available where the bids for WUDC 2013 are presented. Of course, our well informed and loyal readers know already that Berlin is going to host Worlds 2013.

You want to show your anticipation of Worlds 2013? Then join the Take me to Manila campaign! That’s how it works: Be creative, produce a sign that says “Take me to Manila!”, take a snapshot  and hand it in to info[at]dlsuworlds.com. Don’t forget your name, institution and country. The pictures will be launched on the website of DLSU Worlds.

Since 1981, debaters from all over the world have been competing at the World Universities Debating Championships (WUDC) at alternating locations across the planet. It was not before 1996 that the British Parliamentary Style became the mandatory format for this annual tournament. From 27 December 2011 to 4 January 2012, the international debating circuit will flock in to De La Salle University at Manila, Philippines, where the tournament is part of the university’s centennial. The convenors expect more than 1,400 participants from about 70 nations. Co-chief adjudicators are Lucinda David from the local La Salle Debate Society and Sam Block, alumnus debater from the Cambridge Debating Union. 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