Feb. 10, 2005 – There will be much controversy on the University of the Virgin Islands campus in March — but it won't require calling out the security forces or setting curfews. And the public is welcome to come on campus, to hear and see students in mental and verbal exploration of controversial issues.
The University of the Virgin Islands will play host to colleges and universities from across the region at the 15th annual Caribbean Intercollegiate Debating Competition. Eight teams will participate in the three-day event scheduled for March 11-13 at the Sports and Fitness Center on UVI's St. Thomas campus.
Pitting debating skills against each other as they explore issues will be teams from the University of the West Indies Cave Hill, Mona and St. Augustine campuses; the University of Guyana; the University of the Netherlands Antilles, Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York; University of Technology in Kingston, Jamaica; and UVI's St. Thomas campus. Each team will be represented by a maximum of four debaters. A total of 40 debaters and officials are expected.
The debates are essential for student development, St. Thomas campus Student Activities Supervisor Junie Violenes said, as they help students to gain deeper understanding about themselves and the world around them. "It is hoped that through these debates, closer links will be formed between the institutions, which will lead to less isolation and greater collaborative efforts," Violenes said. She is also the chairwoman of the event's planning committee.
Violenes encourages members of the community to attend the debates for "educational enlightenment and an opportunity to discuss world, national and regional issues."
The 15th Annual Caribbean Intercollegiate Debating Competition schedule is as follows:
Friday, March 11
9 a.m. Opening Ceremony
10 a.m. Debate #1: "Environmental Activism Jeopardizes Growth and Progress"
1 p.m. Debate #2: "Caricom Should Ostracize Haiti"
3 p.m. Debate #3: "International Lending Agencies Promote Economic Slavery in the Developing World"
Saturday, March 12
6 p.m. Semifinals: "The 'Willy Lynch Legacy' Still Influences Caribbean Culture"
Sunday, March 13
3 p.m. Finals: "Peace is Not Possible in the Middle East"
The general public is invited to attend the debating competition. There will be opportunities for audience participation while judges are deliberating. High school and junior high school administrators are also invited to bring their students to the debates. For more information call Violenes at 693-1111.