[School Debate Series] German Swiss International School: The value of a good argument

Debate culture is rampant among Hong Kong secondary schools, and universities are starting to take notice.

Last year at the World Schools Debating Championships in Stuttgart, Germany, the Hong Kong National Debating Team registered its best ever result on the global stage. Taking fourth place in a field of 53 national teams, and punching so far above its weight in terms of relative population size, was a huge achievement.

But the National Debating Team represents only the upper echelon of a very lively local debating scene. Not only does the Hong Kong Secondary Schools Debating Competition provide a range of structured inter-school contests, but prominent organisations, such as the Hong Kong Bar Association, also run their own “war 
of words”. 

Success in a debate depends on a number of particular talents: the ability to speak clearly and concisely; to reason and persuade; to sift and assimilate key facts; to remain calm under pressure as these facts are deployed; and to plan ahead, listen and adapt.

Debaters must stay abreast of current affairs and topical issues, as these - and often the most contentious aspects - usually form the basis of the motions to be argued over.

The value of these skills becomes clear in the exciting cut and thrust of competition. However, as we head into a future that will see an increasing number of jobs and tasks automated and handled by machines, many of these uniquely human attributes will become even more highly prized.

This May, in the High Court Chambers, a venue familiar with verbal sparring, the German Swiss International School (GSIS) debating team won the finals of the English section of the Hong Kong Bar competition. The team comprised captain and Year 11 student Rachel Lee, Thomas So of Year 11, and Year 10 student Karl Lam.