City-Wide Debate Contest

A project to create a higher awareness of the inspiring life and work of Mahatma Gandhi to promote universal Truth, Non-Violence, Love & Service. The contest is open to all High School and Middle School students in the greater Houston area and is part of the weeklong, city-wide celebration of Mahatma Gandhi Week as “1000 Lights For Peace” culminating on October 3, 2010.

Participation by organizations only with two team members. No individual participation is allowed. The team will consist of 2 members, one ‘for’ and the other ‘against’ the topic of the debate. Each speaker will be allotted 3 minutes to present opening arguments in the first round. Each speaker will have 1 more minute for rebuttal in the second and the final round.

Age 11 & Up
Topic: Do ends justify means? Date: Saturday, October 2, 2010
Time: 11:30AM - 12:30PM
Place: Arya Samaj Greater Houston, 14375 Schiller Road, Houston
Team must consist of two (2) children from an organization.

Register online.

Questions? please email Vijay Singh at vijay.singh@att.net.

Debate Format and Rules:

1. Participation by organizations only. No individual participation is allowed.
2. Mahatma Gandhi Library will invite organizations to send one team from their organization to participate in the debate contest.
3. The team will consist of 2 members, one ‘for’ and the other ‘against’ the topic of the debate.
4. Participants must be attending middle or high school (grades 6-12).
5. Debate contest will begin after the conclusion of the speech contest which is planned for same day earlier in the morning.
6. There will be two rounds in the debate.
7. In the first round each individual speaker will be paired with another speaker from different organization based on a random draw. Each pair will consist of participants ‘for’ and ‘against’ the topic.
8. Each speaker will be allotted 3 minutes to speak (present opening arguments) in the first round.
9. Each speaker will have 1 more minute for rebuttal (counter arguments) in the second and the final round.
10. Participants are allowed to use the support materials such as printed materials, note cards, etc. during the debate.
11. Both rounds have equal weight. The maximum points for each round is same.
12. There will be three prizes:
    • Winning Team
    • Winner of the speaker ‘for’ the topic
    • Winner of the speaker ‘against’ the topic
13. In the event individual winners of the ‘for’ or ‘against’ the topic happen to be on the winning team then the prize will be awarded to the individual next in line in that category.
14. Judges may adjust these rules depending on the number of contestants.
15. Judges’ decisions will be final.