CIC retains debating title

For the second consecutive year St Mary’s College (CIC) has demonstrated its prowess and its excellence in the debating arena to retain the RBTT/UNDP Champion Cup in the 2004 RBTT Young Leaders Debate. In what was later announced as a close finish by judge Kim Morton, both teams were commended for the high calibre of debating which had taken place, as well as their timely points of information and research. The debate, which began at approximately 10.25 am at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, was centred around the motion “Be it Resolved that Creative Leadership is the Key Requirement for the Peaceful Co-existence of Mankind.”

The Young Leaders Debate is only two years old, and schools participating in the Young Leaders Programme now have the option of either debating, or doing a project, or both. Representing the Youth Training Centre Government School, the first proposition speaker, Adrian Johnson, presented the argument that too much education tended to cloud an individual’s judgment. To support this point, Johnson explained that when an individual was educated, he/she wanted to maintain the status quo, and would resist whatever changes were being suggested, whereas a creative leader would possess the foresight and charisma to induce that person to see another perspective. Also arguing that education led to a sense of dominance being developed in human beings, Adrian stated that creative leadership entailed a network of persons relating candidly and openly to each other, for the betterment of mankind.

Admitting that education did indeed have its own merits, Johnson’s colleague Javon Charles said while it brought positive values to people, it was useless without a leader to implement it, and that a dominant leader would normally close his ear to what is good and only open his eyes for what is profitable to him. He added that everyone was a leader in his/her own way as we all have choices, which can either be constructive or destructive. Dominic Smith of CIC rose to offer his counter-arguments, and began by putting to the opposition — if everyone were leaders, then who would follow? Pointing out that it was human nature to resist change, Smith and Thurton argued that people are not always willing to accept what is fed to them.

Forcefully stating that education was not based on experience, but which experience is built on, the winning team stressed that it was not possible to have creative leadership without universal education. Claiming that tolerance was one of the thresholds of peace, Smith said it did not allow for the biased recognition of any particular individual, culture or nation, but instead promoted acceptance and understanding.

Concluding that creative leadership was virtually impossible without universal education, Dominic raised a few eyebrows as he quietly issued the clincher “education will prop up a leader and form the backbone” of what is being taught to mankind. Following the judges allotted deliberation time, additional time was requested for them to decide the eventual winners, while the 44 participating schools used the time to exchange words of encouragement and pose for pictures.

When chairman of the debate, Hans Geiser, announced the results, the winning team was given a standing ovation by  the CIC posse who had filled the first four rows in a show of support for Smith and Thurton. Speaking with Newsday later, both teams said they were relieved that it was finally over, and that they were looking forward to relaxing and finishing exams. Adjudicators for the final round of competition included June Nathaniel, Magaret Walcott, J Errol Lewis, Kim Morton and Maurice Chevalier, while Linda Francois of RBTT acted as time-keeper.