SUMMER

DEBATE
SYMPOSIUM
 INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the Summer Debate Symposium (SDS), an online
platform dedicated to fostering critical thinking, persuasive
communication, and intellectual growth through parliamentary
debates. Join us for a vibrant community where aspiring
debaters come together to enhance their skills and engage in
lively discussions.

Mission
Our mission is to empower individuals with the art of effective
debate, equipping them with the skills to analyze complex
issues, communicate ideas persuasively, and become engaged
citizens. Through our online camp, we provide an inclusive and

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accessible space for participants to develop critical thinking,
research, and public speaking abilities.

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Vision
We envision a world where individuals are skilled
communicators, capable of analyzing diverse perspectives on
global issues. By nurturing a community of lifelong learners, we

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inspire the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and advocates
who contribute meaningfully to public discourse and effect
positive change.

Core Values
Excellence, Inclusivity, Integrity, Learning, Collaboration. We
uphold these values to create an environment that encourages
growth, respect, fairness, and the exploration of diverse
viewpoints.

Join us at SDS and embark on a transformative journey where

you develop lifelong skills and a passion for the power of
reasoned discourse.

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 RULES &
REGULATIONS
1. General Rules:
1.1 The debates shall follow the British Parliamentary debate format.
1.2 The ROPs shall govern the structure, time limits, and procedures of
each debate round.
1.3 The Summer Debate Symposium (SDS) is strictly unofficial and not
linked to any university.

2. Debate Motions:
2.1 The SDS core committee shall provide a list of debate motions in
advance or announce them at the beginning of each round.
2.2 Motions shall cover a range of topics and allow for diverse
perspectives and arguments.

3. Speaker Roles:
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3.1 Opening Government:
3.1.1 Prime Minister: Presents the opening government's case, defines the
motion, and sets the framework for the debate.

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3.1.2 Deputy Prime Minister: Supports the Prime Minister's case and
provides additional arguments.
3.2 Opening Opposition:
3.2.1 Leader of the Opposition: Presents the opening opposition's case,
challenges the government's arguments, and offers an alternative

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perspective.
3.2.2 Deputy Leader of the Opposition: Supports the Leader of the
Opposition's case and provides additional arguments.
3.3 Closing Government:
3.3.1 Member of Government: Presents new arguments or extends existing
ones on behalf of the government.
3.3.2 Government Whip: Summarizes the government's case, addresses
key points raised during the debate, and concludes the
government's position.
3.4 Closing Opposition:
3.4.1 Member of Opposition: Presents new arguments or extends
existing ones on behalf of the opposition.
3.4.2 Opposition Whip: Summarizes the opposition's case, addresses key
points raised during the debate, and concludes the opposition's
position.
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 RULES &
REGULATIONS
4. Time Limits:
4.1 Speeches:
4.1.1 Prime Minister/Leader of the Opposition: Maximum of 7 minutes
4.1.2 Deputy Prime Minister/Deputy Leader of the Opposition: Maximum
of 7 minutes
4.1.3 Member of Government/Member of Opposition: Maximum of 7
minutes
4.1.4 Government Whip/Opposition Whip: Maximum of 7 minutes
4.2 Points of Information:

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4.2.1 During the speech of the member speaking: Maximum of three
points of information per speech, lasting no longer than
15 seconds each.
4.2.2 Points of information are voluntary, and the speaker may
choose to accept or decline them.

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5. Order of Speaking:
5.1 The order of speaking shall proceed in the following sequence:
5.1.1 Prime Minister

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5.1.2 Leader of the Opposition
5.1.3 Deputy Prime Minister
5.1.4 Deputy Leader of the Opposition
5.1.5 Member of Government
5.1.6 Member of Opposition
5.1.7 Government Whip
5.1.8 Opposition Whip

6. Points of Order:
6.1 Participants may raise a point of order if they believe there has
been a violation of the ROPs or breach of decorum.
6.2 The chairperson or moderator shall decide on the validity of the
point of order and take appropriate action, such as allowing the point
to be raised, ruling it out of order, or addressing the concern
after the current speech.

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 RULES &
REGULATIONS
7. Adjudication:
7.1 The debates shall be judged by a panel of qualified adjudicators
appointed by the organizing committee.
7.2 Adjudicators shall evaluate the debates based on criteria such
as content, delivery, strategy, teamwork, and engagement.
7.3 Adjudication decisions shall be final and not subject to appeal.

8. Rubrics:

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8.1 Content (30 points)
8.2 Delivery (25 points)
8.3 Strategy (20 points)
8.4 Teamwork (15 points)
8.5 Engagement (10 points)

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9. Novice and Senior Speakers:
9.1 Semi-Finals and Finals shall be conducted to determine the
best novice and senior speakers.

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9.2 Novice Speakers:
9.2.1 Novice speakers shall be determined based on predetermined
criteria established by the organizing committee.
9.2.2 Semi-Finals and Finals shall include the top novice speakers
who have demonstrated exceptional debating skills.
9.3 Senior Speakers:
9.3.1 Senior speakers shall be determined based on predetermined
criteria established by the organizing committee.
9.3.2 Semi-Finals and Finals shall include the top senior speakers
who have demonstrated exemplary debating skills.

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 IMPORTANT
NOTICE

The Summer Debate Symposium (SDS) is an

independent event and is not associated with any
other organization or university.

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SDS operates as a standalone entity, providing an
open platform for participants to engage in

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parliamentary debates.

The Symposium welcomes participants from

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diverse backgrounds and affiliations, promoting
inclusivity and fostering an environment conducive
to intellectual discourse and learning.

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 SCHEDULE

WEEK ROUND DATE TIME

1 11th July 5:00-7:30PM

Week 1

Summer
2 12th July 5:00-7:30PM

3 18th July 5:00-7:30PM

Week 2
4 19th July 5:00-7:30PM

Week 3
debate
5 25th July 5:00-7:30PM

6 26th July 5:00-7:30PM

Week 4
symposium
7 1st August 5:00-7:30PM

8 2nd August 5:00-7:30PM

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 REGISTRATION
INFO

To join us in our venture and hone your debating

skills fill out the form by clicking the following link
and join our WhatsApp group for further updates.

Summer
debate
Form: https://forms.gle/XsM3jDzaD6wRHfRP8

WhatsApp Group Invite:

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https://chat.whatsapp.com/IUx9pGcpQvZHWrJ5e2
T8tE

Regards,
Zohaib Shahjehan
Abdullah Bin Nighman
Sameen Ahmad
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