DEBATE PROCEDURE PARA LOS PRÓXIMOS DEBATES

DEBATE PROCEDURE.

THE TOPIC OF THE   CONFERENCE IN LAGOA IS “Sport as a way of social inclusion and a tool against discrimination and intolerance”

 In GENOA: “Sports as a mean to overcome physical problems”

After the first transnational meeting in Brno in October, 2016, the teachers involved in the project agreed that the debate should have the following rules:

-Each team represents one country, and it is formed by 3 or 4 students. There are 5 countries

-The students prepare an opening speech that has to be read out during the debate. In order to make it easier, all the speeches will be available to all the students 2 days before the debate, so there will be no problem to understand them. Besides, the students have time to prepare some questions, so they won´t have to improvise.

-The opening speeches will last 2 minutes. They will be read out by 2 students of each team. All 4 students need to be standing in front of the audience.

-When the countries motion for a moderated caucus, they raise their placard and speak out. If there are many topics suggested (each country will suggest topics to be discussed), the chair decides which ones to discuss. Maximum 4 motions ( 6 minutes each one), as time for this part would be 25 minutes.

-The goal is to rewrite the initial opening speeches during an unmoderated caucus, adding everything that has been discussed in the caucus. In the end, each country reads their final speech, presented as a resolution with recommendations. The country who had read the last in the opening speech is the one who starts.

-Finally, the countries vote for the best resolution. Each country has one vote (must vote for other delegation´s resolution). The country who gets more votes is the one whose resolution is adopted.

The parts of the debate are:

1-      WELCOMING- The chair welcomes the participants, takes attendance calling each country (Italy…”present”; Spain…”present”) and reminds the procedure and timing of the debate.

“Welcome to the First ERAMUS+  Conference! I hereby call this meeting to order (bang the gavel). My name is……., and I will be your chair today! I am here to moderate this meeting and make sure that each country has an opportunity to share its opinion. I also guide us between the different parts of the meeting—the speaker´s list, the moderated and unmoderated caucuses, and voting procedure.

2.- EXPLANATION OF THE RULES. The flow of debate today will be the following:

o   Opening Speeches: which is where each country presents its position on the topic. The students come to the front of the floor and look at the audience. There will be no questions. Each country will have 2 minutes to speak. Remember that If you have a pre-written opening speech, you should look at the audience and not only look at your paper. You will be facing the delegates when you speak.

o   Moderated Caucus: This is the formal debate, that will be introduced by one of the countries. Students simply stand in place when speaking, there´s no need to come to the front of the floor. Remember that you need to mention the specific topic you want to discuss and the time in this way: "The delegation of….motions to move into a 10 minutes moderated caucus with a speaking time of 45 seconds related with…(here you mention the topic") At this point you will have the opportunity to ask questions to other countries and exchange ideas based on what has been offered in the opening speeches . Total time : 10 minutes

o   Unmmoderated Caucus: This is the informal debate. During this session, you will be free to mingle and try to reach agreements with other countries. You should begin to form blocs and write  agreements outlining your shared ideas. You should change your initial ideas, adding ideas from other countries. Countries with similar positions should write a text together (2+3?) This session will last 10 minutes.

o   Resolutions voting procedure: This is when each resolution will be read out loud. As there are 5 countries, they should present only 2 texts, and vote. After each resolution is read, we will vote on the resolutions created. For a resolution to pass, at least 4 countries need to vote in favour of the resolution. 

3.- OPENING SPEECHES, àthe 5 countries present their speeches ( 2 minutes).

a.      The speech has to focus on the context (the importance of the topic, the role of education, some mention to how social or physical disabilities affect our country and the initial resolutions the country has…), concluding with key ideas to discuss later.

4.- MODERATED CAUCUS, where countries motion with different questions inspired in the other countries´speeches. (10 minutes)

5.- UNMMODERATED CAUCUS: students mingle and discuss freely, clarifying what has been discussed in the moderated caucus, for 10 minutes.

6.- RESOLUTIONS AND VOTING PROCEDURE: each country or group of countries reads out its resolution. It has to be inspired on their opening speech but focusing on specific decisions, mentioning other countries contributions. VOTING: after 3 minutes of discussions within each team, they decide which resolution must be voted. One country= one vote.

The chair ends with “Thank you delegates for your hard work today. It is so great to see that XX resolutions passed. At this point I hereby officially conclude the third   ERASMUS+  conference.”

This is the outline for the opening speech.

Introduction:

·         Basic facts about the issue, why is the issue important to European countries?

·         Basic facts about your country, introduce your country’s relationship with the issue.

DomesticAction:

·         How is the issue affecting your country?

·         What has your country done about the issue?

·         How successful was the action?

International Action &Collaboration:

·         Has your country done anything to tackle the issue internationally? Has your country worked with other countries?

Resolutions&Conclusion:

·         What do you suggest for the future? Why? How would it happen?

·         Conclusion: Strong ending that brings home the point! Why is this problem important? What should the world be doing now and in the future to tackle it?

This is the GUIDE TO WRITING RESOLUTIONS

1. Preambulatory clause is written with gerunds and commas (Bearing in mind, taking into account, being aware that, pointing out that, emphasising the idea that…)
2. Operative clause is written with present simple suggestive verbs and semi-colons(the delegation of…encourages…; suggests…; supports the idea of…;, urges the creation of…;)
3. Each clause (preamble or operative) should relate to ONE IDEA
4. Any operative clauses should have some connection with a preambulatory clause as background and the reason for needing the operative clause
5. Remember to be SPECIFIC!
6. Questions to answer in a resolution:
1. What? (What problems should be addressed? What will we do to address them?)
2. Why? (Why should we address the problems? Why does this affect my country/my school  and countries/schools  around the world?)
3. How? (How are we going to fix these problems? How will we get the money? How will we get people to do what we suggest?)
4. Who? (Who should be fixing these problems? Who should be educated about it? Who should be paying?)
5. Where? (Where are the problems occurring? Where should we help?)
6. When? (When does this need to be solved by? When is a realistic goal of reaching this resolution?)