MEDIA CONTACT: Wendy Leopold at (847) 491-4890 or at w-leopold@northwestern.edu

November 4, 2003

Champion Debaters Take on Britain’s Best

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Expect verbal fireworks Wednesday, Nov. 5, when members of the top-ranked Northwestern University Debate Society take on debaters from the British National Debate Team. The teams will take opposing positions on whether the Bush/Blair policy on Iraqi reconstruction is doomed to failure.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 7 p.m. in the McCormick Tribune Building Forum, 1870 Campus Drive, on Northwestern’s Evanston campus.

The format of the debate will be decidedly more British than American, making for a lively evening of British/American rivalry, according to Northwestern debate director Scott Deatherage. The British style of debate typically emphasizes spontaneous reaction, while the American style places a greater value on advance preparation.

Both teams are formidable. Earlier this year, the Northwestern Debate Society celebrated its 12th first-place victory in the prestigious National Debate Tournament championship. Members of the British debate team represent the very best college debaters in Great Britain. This year’s British team includes a member of the World Parliamentary Debating Championship Team.

The debate on Iraqi reconstruction is part of the University's Great Debates Series, a project that seeks to stimulate undergraduate awareness of critical issues of the day. The Great Debates are co-sponsored by the University’s debate society, the Office of Campus Activities, and the Office of the Provost.

For further information about the Nov. 5 event, contact Northwestern’s debate team at (847) 491-7916 or via e-mail at nudebate@northwestern.edu.