What is a debate? It is a specially arranged, well structured public exchange of thoughts between two sides on some important topic. The aim of both sides is to convince the third side in their opinion. This tournament was organized in the format of Oxford debates. 

Oxford debate is a social and psychological training, a method of interactive influence. Its principle is based on ancient traditions of the British House of Commons. Only some part of a group usually takes active part in a debate. This part is subdivided into two teams. The rest of participants are just the spectators and their role is quite restricted. This kind of training teaches participants how to give a public speech, a presentation, how to present the material in a logical and structured way, provide necessary arguments, use nonverbal means of communication and most importantly – give quick answers to hard questions. It is essential to study the topic thoroughly before a debate.

The experienced debaters O.Stepanets, V.Shul’, O.Proskurkin, D.Loboda, V.Lysenko, M.Vorontsov and K.Trotsenko (students of the Faculty of International Trade and Law) introduced the format of the game and explained the rules. Both teams (the proposition and opposition) were trying to prove their rightness on the following issue: the technical progress has made our life worse. In total six speakers were giving their speeches to convince the audience and the jury in their ideas.

According to the results of the game, there was an equal division of the jury’s votes. Therefore, the audience had to decide which team was more persuasive. They voted for the opposition team, which was supporting the idea that the technical progress has made our life better.

It’s worth mentioning that this event was just the beginning of a real debate tournament which is to be held later. The Student Council has laid the foundation of this wonderful tradition of debates and invites all the faculties to join it!