Debt debate
Aim:
To debate different points of view about debt.
You will need:
A group of people, internet access for research.
Duration:
20 minutes (plus preparation time)
Debating is a skill, when people put forwards different sides of an argument. You may not necessarily agree with the point you have to argue, but you should try to imagine how someone who does agree would argue. Think about the arguments your 'opponent' might use, and try to think of ways to contradict them. List all the evidence you might want to refer to.
In your group you should nominate two pairs of people to be the debaters, and everyone else can form two groups to help them with ideas and research. You might want to decide on your groups one week, and come back the following week after you have had time for some research.
These are some suggested titles for your debate. Choose a title, and then decide which pair will argue for or against.
- 'It is unfair for poor countries to repay loans taken out by previous corrupt leaders'.
- 'If debts are cancelled poor countries will never learn how to manage their money properly'.
- 'We should cancel all debts to give poorer countries a fresh start'.
- 'If a country borrowed money, it is obliged to repay it'.
Each person should have a time limit of 2 minutes to speak. It is usual for one person to put forward their arguments (agreeing with the statement), then someone from the other team replies. Next the second person from team one speaks, and finally the second person from team two. At the end you could ask for a show of hands to decide which side most people in the audience agrees with.