Laura Gaspari  

Nov 5, 2018

According to the definition of the Oxford Dictionary, a “debate” is “a formal discussion on a particular matter in a public meeting or legislative assembly, in which opposing arguments are put forward and which usually ends with a vote”. This is exactly what the VDS Debate Society is. Taking inspiration by the students debating societies in UK and USA universities, the very first experiment of debate classes at Ca’ Foscari was taken within the English course programme of the International Relations master’s degree (RIC). Many of VDS participated to it, especially with Professor Geraldine Ludbrook, and it was mind-blowing!

How about an event opened only to VDS associates, in which they can share ideas on a certain topic? How about opening the dialogue within the academia through students’ voices? So, in the early winter of 2017, some VDS students gathered together and decided to put an effort in this project.

On February 2018, the first VDS Debate Society saw the light! We decided not to print anything, reducing the waste of paper and to go exclusively through social media marketing and through word of mouth. Low budget and “green” choices because we would like to keep our ideals in everything we do. We gathered more than thirty participants, who followed our initiative and animated our debate with questions, having fun with us.

The topic chosen for our very first debate was “To meat or not to meat: is vegan diet more ethical than the carnivore one?”. Together with the moderator of the debate, who gave a little introduction concerning the topic, there were two debaters: one who was in favour the issue raised in the topic question (defending the vegan side) and the other who was against it, defending the carnivore side. Before the debate started, we had a lovely introduction to public speaking and debating by Professor Geraldine Ludbrook, whose support has been fundamental.

But how a debate really works? Let’s see it step by step. First, the moderator presents the topic to the public, introduces the debaters and explain all the issues concerning the question posed for that day. After this brief introduction, the moderator invites the public to vote in favour, against or to abstain concerning the main question. Then, the debaters have five minutes each to present their main arguments in favour or against. After their presentations, questions and answers time! The moderator invites the audience to make questions to the debaters, to comment or to add something to the debate. After all the Q&A time, the moderator asks the audience to vote again.

Do not miss the date: on Thursday 18th October, our Debate Society will start again. See you at the Ca’ Foscari University Campus in Treviso (Palazzo San Paolo, Aula 6) from 2.00 pm to 3.00 pm when we will debate about the new deal between the EU and Japan, the JEFTA. “JEFTA: Does this agreement improve environment and workers’ conditions?”. In favour or against? Come and let’s debate together!

Would you dare to make your point? Are you interested in VDS Debate Society? If you want more info, write an email to: debate@venicediplomaticsociety.com