The National Debating League presents...

2024 Cape Town International Debating Championship

The National Debating League runs structured debate programs for over 100 schools across South Africa and Mozambique. Join us in Cape Town this December for the most diverse international tournament we have ever held. Entry is open to school teams from anywhere in the world in Grades 8 to 12.

đź“… Dates
Check-in on 11 December 2024. Competition on 12-15 December 2024.
🗺️ Venue
Hoërskool Jan van Riebeeck in Cape Town, South Africa
🔑 Entry Criteria
Grades 8 to 12; teams must be accompanied by an educator.
đź“‹ Registration
ZAR 6,200 per person (student, teacher, etc). Includes boarding, meals and sightseeing.

Downloads

Documents & Resources

Looking for something you can't find? Please contact thishin@ndl.org.za.

đź““ Information Booklet

This printable booklet summarises the tournament details. It contains a draft schedule, two pre-released motions and details regarding registration.

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đź“‹ Registration Form

This form can be used to register teams for the Cape Town International Debating Championship. Space is limited, so please register as soon as possible.

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🖼️ Marketing Poster

Please feel free to share this poster as widely as possible to market the event within your school or community.

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Program Overview

Here is a brief overview of the program. A more detailed explanation can be found in the information booklet.

Boarding Accommodation

We will all stay in the Hoërskool Jan van Riebeeck boarding houses. Huis Jordaan will be used for females and Huis van der Merwe for females. Accommodation is included for 11 to 16 December 2024.

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Competitive Debates

We will have 7 rounds of competitive debates and several elimination rounds. Students will need to be familiar with the World School Style of debate. Two of our motions have already been released.

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Sightseeing

We want you to truly experience Cape Town. On our second day we will take a trip to Sea Point beach. On the third day we have arranged a short sightseeing tour for all participants.

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Awards and Recognition

A series of elimination rounds will determine our winners in each age division. Top performing teams and individuals may receive trophies, medals and certificates.

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Experience Cape Town

Cape Town is famous for it’s natural beauty, serene beaches and historic architecture. Our hosting school, Hoërskool Jan van Riebeeck, is in the heart of Cape Town’s most historic district and has sweeping views of the ocean and Table Mountain.

Sightseeing Included

All participants will experience a sightseeing tour showing some of Cape Town’s most famous landmarks. These tours will give participants an overview of the city. We recommend participants stay for a few more days to visit landmarks that interest them, like Table Mountain.

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A trip to Sea Point Beach

What’s a trip to Cape Town without a trip to the beach? All debaters will be taken to Sea Point beach on the 2nd day of the program.

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Pre-released Motion #2:

This house believes that all countries in the world should adopt unconditional jus soli as the primary method of acquiring citizenship

Context
Countries around the world have developed their own criteria for determining how citizenship is awarded to newborn children.
Definition
Jus soli, meaning 'right of the soil' in Latin, is where citizenship is automatically granted to anyone born in a country's territory, regardless of their parents' citizenship status. This can be thought of as citizenship by birthplace.
For example, Mexico grants citizenship automatically to anyone born on its soil. One alternative is jus sanguinis, meaning 'right of blood'. Here, citizenship is determined by your parents' citizenship, regardless of where you're born. So, if your parents are citizens of a country, you automatically become one too, even if you were born elsewhere. For example, in Qatar, only children born to a Qatari father automatically receive Qatari citizenship, regardless of their birthplace.

Suggested Readings:

Want to join us in Cape Town?

For more information, please email thishin@ndl.org.za.
Alternatively, please use the links below.

Info Booklet Registration Form Poster Join a Local Program Learn more