Dewar Debate finalists tackle "right to be forgotten"

7th June 2016 | education-training , law society of scotland

The "right to be forgotten" online will be the subject of debate by the finalists of this year's Donald Dewar Memorial Debating Tournament, organised by the Law Society of Scotland.

Taking place this Thursday (9 June) in the debating chamber of the Scottish Parliament, the top prize of a trophy and £1,000 cash will be contested by four school teams that have won through three earlier rounds, in a contest that began with 128 pairs of contenders. Along the way, they have debated subjects ranging from the introduction of measures to promote women in government to the criminalisation of tobacco smoking.

Deputy Presiding Officer Linda Fabiani MSP will chair the final, which will feature these teams:

  • The Royal High School (Edinburgh) – Laura Wood and Sarah Gardner
  • St Maurice's High School (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) – Adam McGirr and Paul Hansen
  • Braes High School (Falkirk East) – Ross Heenan and Andrew Buchan
  • Nairn Academy (Inverness and Nairn) – Caitlin Sherrett and Finlay Allmond

Open to pupils in all Scottish secondary schools, the competition aims to promote an understanding of the importance of debate, advocacy and communication to the legal profession, democracy and society at large. It is dedicated to the memory of the late First Minister Donald Dewar.

In addition to the winning prizes, donated by the Society, there is a runners-up prize of £250, donated by the Glasgow Bar Association. All finalists receive individual quaichs and certificates to commemorate their success. This year’s sponsor Hodder Gibson is donating educational books to the value of £500, to be shared by the winning and runner-up school.

A prize of £50 worth of book vouchers will also be awarded for the best floor speech of the night.

Judging the event will be Irene McGrath, chair of the Scottish Schools International Debating Council; Jon Dye, former chairman of the English Speaking Union; John Carson, former English teacher and debate coach; Willie Rennie MSP; and Mark McDonald MSP.

Eilidh Wiseman, President of the Society, said: “It has been a fantastic tournament once again and all four teams who have reached the final are to be congratulated, particularly when you consider just how many teams took part in the opening rounds and the calibre of our competitors. They have done incredibly well.

“It’s a real honour to be able to host the tournament final in the debating chamber of the Parliament again this year and I’m sure it will be an experience our finalists will never forget.”