Brades, Montserrat – The 48th edition of the annual Leeward Islands debating competition, got on the way in Montserrat, on the evening of Thursday 27th February. An official and impressive opening ceremony signalled the start of the prestigious event, which is being held at the Montserrat Cultural Center. This involved speeches and a few cultural presentations.
There was some disappointment, however, as it was revealed that team St. Maarten had pulled out of the competition at short notice and therefore Anguilla was awarded honours by default, for the debate that was scheduled to be held, following the opening ceremony. The much anticipated moot was: ‘More than any philosophy, afro-futurism holds the most promise for rekindling black pride and purpose.’
However, the teams involved in the two debates scheduled for this evening, Friday, February 28, were able to make the required draw to determine the proposers and opposers of the topics under scrutiny.
Starting at 6.15 pm this evening, St. Kitts will engage Antigua and Barbuda on the topic: ‘The use of marijuana should be banned within the CARICOM society, due to its negative effects.’
Antigua will propose the topic.
Immediately following that debate, host Montserrat will face off with Anguilla, on the topic: ‘Online education is better than face to face education, within the CARICOM context.’ Montserrat will propose the topic.
Defending champions, team Nevis, will get their first outing in the semifinals, slated for the evening of Saturday 29th February, when they will do battle with the winner of the contest between Antigua and Barbuda and St.Kitts. The moot for that evening’s debate is: ‘The technological age has caused severe dilution of authentic Caribbean culture.’
The competition climaxes on Sunday night, when the two top teams adjudged, will debate the moot: ‘The prevalence of chronic diseases, supersedes unemployment as a significant hindrance to Caribbean development.’
The Nevis contingent is supremely confident of doing a four-peat this year.
The competition is being streamed live and listeners can also follow the intriguing action, on Montserrat’s ZJB radio.