Tougher, wilder, greater – Jacobs University’s debating society provides a platform for exercising the freedom of expression

From February 1 to 3, the Jacobs University Bremen Debating Society will host the Jacobs Open 2008. More than 100 young “combatants” from all over Europe will visit the campus to participate in the debating tournament. The grand finale, which is open to the public, will take place on Sunday in Bremen's city hall. The competition is the fourth edition of the highly successful Bremen tournament series.

[ Jan 29, 2008]  Hot debates, harebrained arguments and inventive objections, but presented in all earnestness, logical, well structured and only 7 minutes long at max – this is the material of the tournament’s debates starting on the Jacobs University next Friday. Using the “British Parliamentary Style” the “battle of words” determines the best speaker amongst all competitors. Under the patronage of Bremen´s delegate at the Federal government, Dr. Kerstin Kießler, 52 teams will battle rethorically in five preliminary rounds up to the semi-finals. While the preliminary rounds are held on-campus, the finale on Sunday, February 3,,starting at 2:30 p.m. takes place in the Upper Hall of Bremen´s city hall. Eight finalists will highlight an issue from different perspectives and try to convince the jury with plausible arguments and rhetorical finesse. The interested public is cordially invited to joint the event and see the high-quality debates in the thrilling and entertaining grand finale. The admission is free.

”We thank Jacobs University for helping us to make this fourth edition of the “battle of words” possible, and for offering the space for our participants, not only for having a great time at the tournament itself, but also for getting a good warm-up for Euros Championships”, says Gabriela Olariu, president of the university’s debating club. She is especially looking forward to the grand finale of the tournament: “We are glad that we get the chance to carry out this part of the event in the gorgeous historic Upper Hall of the city hall. It will be an unforgettable competition for the participants and the spectators”.

The Jacobs University Bremen Debating Society was founded in 2002 by several students who had come to the former International University Bremen from countries where debating has a long and established tradition. These students started to run a few debates on campus and introduced society members to the basics of British Parliamentary Style.

British Parliamentary Style (BPS)
Most large international debating tournaments are carried out in British Parliamentary Style (BPS). No other style is comparatively suitable for tournament debating. A tradition of about 200 years guarantees the quality of the model both in theory and practice. The fundamental idea of BPS is simple: four teams compete on two sides. Every speech has to provide new insights into the topic and rebut the arguments of the opposite side. The differences in content are always central, revealing the Pros and Cons. Those who elude this conflict lose. BPS requires much technical finesse. Just like political parties in a coalition, every team has to develop its own profile in order to beat the rivals on the same side without contradicting them.