〜 International Debate Camp resumes in-person activities ～
On August 23-27, 2023, after three years of online “camp” via Zoom, the 12th International Debate Camp in Japanese was held in-person at Yamanoie (Kyushu University Kuju Training Center) and Kuju Joint Training Center for National Universities in Kyushu Area. The event combined lectures, group work, and the practice tournament for Asian students to learn to debate in Japanese as their first, second, or third language. Debate teams consisted of Japanese and international students, who worked together to prepare for debate rounds representing both sides of the question: Should Japan prohibit all homework in elementary, junior high, and high schools?
A total of 32 students came from nine universities: Kyushu University, Chikushi Jogakuen University, the University of Teacher Education Fukuoka, Saga University, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (Taiwan), Busan University of Foreign Studies (Korea), Huizhou University (China), Konkuk University (Korea), and Yuan Ze University (Taiwan). Three overseas professors, who worked to prepare for and manage the program, also accompanied their students and stayed in the camp: Prof. Kamijo Sumie (National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University), Prof. Suwa Akihiro (Busan University of Foreign Studies), Prof. Zhang Xiaoying (Huizhou University). Prof. Jodoi Kota (Kagoshima University) gave lectures and organized other learning activities. At the final debate tournament, some other debate experts joined online to judge some of the rounds.
Not only did the participants learn to debate, but they also learned intercultural communication through fun activities. These activities, including a BBQ party, sports, and games, were prepared by some of the participants.
Contact
For more information about this camp and other debating activities, contact the FLC’s Debate Education Support Group at debate[at]flc.kyushu-u.ac.jp.
Please also check the Kyushu University website.
