ABERDEEN PUPILS WIN DEBATE ON THE BENEFITS OF A MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY AT SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT
Joanna Farmer and Michael Sim, from Robert Gordon College, Aberdeen, made a winning team when they triumphed at the national final of the Law Society of Scotland’s Donald Dewar Memorial Debating Tournament in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, June 12.
In addition to the tournament trophy, the pair was awarded £1,000 for their school debating society, a commemorative quaich and £100 of book tokens each for their persuasive arguments in proposing the motion ‘this House believes that a multicultural society is a unified society’ in the Parliament’s debating chamber.
Runners up Scott Ralston and Lauren Pringle from the High School of Dundee received £250 for their school, donated by the Glasgow Bar Association, a commemorative quaich and £50 of book tokens each. The two schools will also share £500 of educational books from Hodder Gibson.
Collette Paterson, New Lawyers’ Coordinator at the Society, said: “It was very difficult for the judges to choose a winner this year but Jo and Michael displayed true debating talent by coming up with some very impressive points to argue their case.
”The competition, now the biggest schools’ debating tournament in Scotland, was partnered by the Equality and Human Rights Commission to mark its 10th year.
Paterson said: “We were delighted to welcome the Commission as partner for this year’s 10th anniversary tournament. We have worked with them throughout the competition to encourage debate on important and highly topical issues based on equality, diversity and human rights – and have heard many convincing as well as thought provoking arguments expressed.”
Morag Alexander, Scotland Commissioner for the Equality and Human Rights Commission said: “The Commission has been proud to have been part of this exciting competition in partnership with the Society. Each heat has seen some fantastic performances and I’m delighted to congratulate not just the winners, but all four of the teams who made it to the final.
“One of our big challenges is ensuring that Scotland’s young people understand the difference that equality and human rights can make to them, and feel enthusiastic about helping to create a fairer society. We want an ambitious, confident Scotland built on fairness and respect, where there is no place for discrimination. What better way to do this than by making the next generation of Scots advocates for change?”
Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson MSP, who chaired the debate, said: “The voice of Scotland's young people is vitally important to us, and we aim to ensure that there are many relevant and innovative ways in which young people can engage with their Parliament . More than 130 teams from the Western Isles to the Scottish Borders entered the tournament this year, so I congratulate all four teams who made it to the final – they were all exceptional, despite the judges having to choose just one winner.
A DVD produced in conjunction with last year’s tournament partner, the A union for a’ that project, has been issued to every secondary and primary school in Scotland this year. It is part of the Society’s efforts to encourage pupils to get involved in speech and debate. The DVD is supported by additional free learning materials available through the Society’s website. www.lawscot.org.uk/training/debate .
ENDS 13 JUNE 2008
Note to editors
The four teams of finalists were:
* Emma Divers and Rebecca McSheaffrey, Douglas Academy, Milngavie
* Lauren Pringle and Scott Ralston, The High School of Dundee
* Paul Livingston and Sally McKeeve, Mearns Castle High in Newton Mearns
* Joanna Farmer and Michael Sim, Robert Gordon College, Aberdeen
For information about the Equality and Human Rights Commission go to: www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/scotland/pages/ehrcscotland.aspx
The Law Society of Scotland’s debating tournament commemorating Donald Dewar, himself a former solicitor as well as esteemed politician and Scotland’s first First Minister, was launched to mark the Society’s 50th anniversary in 1999 and has since become the biggest schools’ debating tournament in the country.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact Val McEwan or Suzy Powell at the Law Society of Scotland on 0131 226 8884 or 0131 476 8115. Email: valeriemcewan@lawscot.org.uk / suzypowell@lawscot.org.uk or contact Mike Elder at Robert Gordon College on 01224 611207.
