Debating society's first conference (From Worcester News)

Debating society's first conference

10:03am Tuesday 15th June 2010 in

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DEBATING students have launched a series of conferences looking at the future of the world.

The first conference from students at the University of Worcester Debating Society saw a number of knowledgeable speakers voicing their opinions on the fate of the world and its economy in 2020.

The event was hosted and organised by 10 international students, headed by chairman of the debating society, 20-year-old Muyiwa Olufon from Nigeria.

‘Envisioning 2020’ was the first of a series of conferences the society is hoping to hold at the university, including hour-long workshops conducted by society members on successful negotiation and debate tactics.

Mr Olufon said: “We hoped it was possible to organise something academic and still have an audience.

I felt really good after the conference as we got a lot of positive feedback. It really helped our selfbelief.”

Members of the panel included Dr Gbolahan Gbadamosi and Klaus Oestreicher, both senior lecturers at Worcester Business School; Ben West, a member of the UK Youth Climate Coalition; Peter Marazena, a student and head of Excelsior Events in Worcester; and Mark Richardson, head of Worcester Business School.

Mr Richardson said: “It was genuinely inspirational to see such a large and diverse group of students so thoroughly engaged in discussion and debate around some of the key issues facing humanity over the coming decades.”

The conference covered a number of controversial topics, including ‘Should we help Greece?’ and ‘Facebook: good or evil?’ Mr Olufon said: “We will definitely organise something bigger and better next time.

“We will make sure we have a more diverse audience, and touch on more topics, also bringing a more powerful debate.”

For more information on the Worcester Debating Society and future events, contact Mr Olufon at m.olufon@googlemail.com.