Lord Speaker chairs 2015 schools' debate final
24 June 2015 (updated on 24 June 2015)
The Lord Speaker, Baroness D'Souza, chaired the Debate Mate 'Artemis Urban Debate League Final' on Monday 22 June in the House of Lords.
The Lord Speaker announced the opening and closing speakers in the final and gave a short congratulatory speech following the debate.
Debate Mate looks to boost young people's confidence in expressing themselves and the Urban League Debating Final was the climax of a programme for secondary school children which began in January 2015. Students aged 12-15 from over 200 schools competed for a place in the final debate, hosted in a House of Lords committee room. The two schools contesting the final were:
- Robert Clack School from Dagenham in Essex
- Sydenham School from South London.
The two teams debated the motion, 'This House would prioritize economic growth over social justice.' There were six speakers on both the proposition and opposition teams, who alternated giving five minute speeches, before the debate was opened up to the floor for questions to be addressed during the summing up speeches. The sides were randomly drawn so the pupils did not decide which side of the motion they were supporting. Students from Sydenham School won the debate.
After the debate the Lord Speaker congratulated the winners with a short speech and there was a reception in the House of Lords River Room, which the Lord Speaker makes available for events for charities.
About Debate Mate
Debate Mate runs after school debating clubs in areas of high child poverty with students from the top universities as mentors. They use debating to develop communication, interpersonal skills and to build self-esteem. Over 2,000 young people take part in Debate Mate programmes around the UK every week.