Eton College is to host a national debating competition for 16-18 year olds which will explore geo-political and environmental issues.
Pupils from across the UK will take part in the Jabuji Debate which is run by the not-for-profit organisation Voices for Nature and sponsored by Blackwell’s of Oxford. From the entries, 32 students will be selected to take part in the national final next March 2016. During the day competitors will take part in workshops to develop their skills, followed by a series of mini-debates and run-offs, with the formal evening debate between the two winning teams taking place in the new Jafar Hall that evening. A vote will be taken to decide the winners.
The aim of the competition is to help young people consider environmental and geo-political issues, encourage them to make connections with the subject and improve their debating skills. A specially written novel, Jabujicaba, will be used as a basis to inspire lines of thought and constructive arguments.
The national competition follows a successful pilot which was held between Eton and nearby Burnham Grammar School earlier this year.
Pupils can register for the competition from 1st August 2015 via the Jabujicaba website. The shortlist will be announced in January 2016, ahead of the competition in March.
