Debate Format — World Schools (WSDC)
Two teamsProposition (for the motion) vs. Opposition (against it)
Team size3 substantive speakers + 1 Reply speaker (given by the 1st or 2nd speaker, not the 3rd)
Substantive speeches8 minutes each
Reply speech4 minutes — a biased summary of the debate, not new arguments
Points of Information (POIs)The opposing team may offer brief points during minutes 2–7 of a speech; the speaker may accept or decline
ScoringOfficial WSDC ballot — Content, Style, and Strategy — see the Judges Page
| # | Speaker | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1st Proposition | 8 min |
| 2 | 1st Opposition | 8 min |
| 3 | 2nd Proposition | 8 min |
| 4 | 2nd Opposition | 8 min |
| 5 | 3rd Proposition (rebuttal only, no new arguments) | 8 min |
| 6 | 3rd Opposition (rebuttal only, no new arguments) | 8 min |
| 7 | Opposition Reply | 4 min |
| 8 | Proposition Reply | 4 min |
Reply order is reversed from the main speeches — Opposition replies first, Proposition closes the debate last. The 8 motions are used as prepared motions (known in advance); teams are assigned Proposition or Opposition for each round.
The 8 Debate Topics
- Phosphate legacy vs. future economy
Nauru should prioritize rehabilitating mined-out land ("Topside") over pursuing new revenue like deep-sea mining licensing. - Deep-sea mining
Deep-sea mineral exploration is worth the environmental risk for Nauru. - Climate migration
Nauru should actively plan relocation/migration options for its population rather than focus solely on adapting in place. - Regional Processing Centre legacy
Hosting Australia's offshore asylum-seeker processing centre benefited Nauru's youth and society long-term. - Brain drain vs. staying home
Young Nauruans should be encouraged to study/work abroad even if many don't return. - Diet, health and food sovereignty
Nauru should restrict imported processed foods to fight its diabetes/obesity crisis. - Traditional culture vs. digital/global youth culture
Social media and global internet culture are eroding Nauruan language and tradition. - Diversifying beyond aid dependency
Nauru should reduce reliance on Australian aid/agreements even at short-term economic cost.