New Website for Debate Academies - Go There

http://debateacademy.net/

News about IDAS 2010 and 2011

Image via WikipediaThe International Debate Academy in Slovenia is jointly sponsored by the World Debate Institute and ZIP SLovenia.

First, here is the link to the new web page that contains the educational elements of the 2010 program.

http://debateeuropeforcitizens.blogspot.com/ 

 with video lectures from Kranjska Gora and a lot of content and debate training material. Please, feel free to use it and circulate it in your debate circuits. We would also appreciate a lot if you can publisice the link to this debate training web to your ownweb page. Thanks a lot. 

The second info is about IDAS 2011 - it will happen in Hotel Špik again and tournament in Ljubljana, from 19th - 28th of November. You can participate in the whole event or the tournament only.  Here is the web page http://debate.uvm.edu/idas.html 
The registration is open. Please, do not wait with registration as the places are limited. 

Some of you know that we did submit a new proposal to Europe for Citizens. We do expect the answer will be in June and I will let you know when we find out. I will also inform everybody if we are able to  give scholarships for those who otherwise can not afford to participat. Right now we do not have any sponsor yet. 

I will appreciate a lot if you can circulate this information in your debate community and globally. 

Best, Bojana 
--
Bojana Skrt 
direktorica 
Za in proti, zavod za kulturo dialoga 
Svetosavska 24, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija 
www.zainproti.com 
+386 (0)41 423377

IDAS 2011 Announces Program and Costs

INTERNATIONAL DEBATE ACADEMY SLOVENIA 2011

19-27 NOVEMBER 2011 - EIGHT FULL DAYS!
Full program for students – instruction, IDAS 2011 tournament
IDAS 2011 tournament for students – tournament in Ljubljana at the Faculty of Administration-University of Ljubljana.
Full program for trainers, teachers, coaches, club leaders, judges at any level in any debate format.

SPECIFIC DATES
Arrive in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia November 19 2011, dinner at 6 PM, program at 7 PM
Instruction in Hotel Spik November 20-24 2011
Transfer to Ljubljana morning 25 November 2011
IDAS tournament in Ljubljana afternoon 25-27 November 2011, ending at 3 PM November 27


STUDENT TRAINING : Each Instruction day features a main lecture, exercise and drill sessions, and two complete critiqued practice debates. Many elective classes offered. Many training preparation sessions offered. Judge evaluation and training offered. Advanced, basic and beginner tracks available. The best way to get ready for WUDC in Manila.

IDAS 2011 TRAINER PROGRAM
The International Debate Academy Slovenia will be offering a special track for trainers, coaches and those interested in learning about how to train debaters and create debate organizations such as clubs, academic programs and leagues. The program will call upon the extensive experience of the faculty to provide specialized training, including: Basic debate training steps: observation, advice from experienced trainers and curriculum guides Judging: instruction, shadow judging, real judging experience Tournaments: hosting, administering, including tabulation software. Advanced debate training: observation, advice from experienced trainers, curriculum guides. Organizing: recruiting debaters, implementing training, scheduling meetings, publicity. Attendees will have a sample judging session every morning as well as a special training session in the afternoon. All events at the program will also be open to attendees.  Special needs and requests specific to individuals can be met if given advance notice.

TOURNAMENT: Sponsored by IDAS, ZIP and hosted by Faculty of Administration University of Ljubljana. Six preliminary rounds and semifinals in the WUDC format. No team caps as of now. Convener is Bojana Skrt, Chief Adjudicator is Alfred Snider.

COST

FULL PROGRAM - 300 Euros: hotel rooms and training at luxurious Hotel Spik, all meals included, instructional materials, socials, transportation to Ljubljana, six round tournament (last year 60 teams from 24 countries) breaks to quarterfinals, food and room in Ljubljana, break night party. In Ljubljana we will be staying at Dijaški dom Bežigrad, www.ddb.si

TOURNAMENT ONLY - 75 Euros:. six round tournament (last year 60 teams from 24 countries) breaks to quarterfinals, food and room in Ljubljana, break night party. Limited crash available for tournament.

Financial Disclosure: IDAS is a non-profit program, trainers are not paid, trainer travel is not reimbursed, participation fees pay for attendee expenses of rooms and food only, trainer accommodations and food and other costs are covered by ZIP.

Social Events: We will have frequent social events, including the country exhibition, the Kitch Party (bring your ugly clothing, then trade it), swimming party (indoor pool), and more. We will not distribute alcohol to attendees out of the workshop fees. ZIP will seek soft drinks-beer-wine sponsors. We prioritize scholarships for attendees over alcohol. We want as many people as possible to join the program.


Website: http://debate.uvm.edu/idas.html
Blogsite: http://internationaldebateacademy.blogspot.com/

IDAS 2011 Announces Dates and Details

THE NINTH INTERNATIONAL DEBATE ACADEMY SLOVENIA 2011
& IDAS 2011 TOURNAMENT

NOVEMBER 19-27 2011
HOTEL SPIK, KRAJNSKA GORA, SLOVENIA

SEE 2010 REPORTS AT
http://internationaldebateacademy.blogspot.com/

AND TOURNAMENT RESULTS AT
http://debate.uvm.edu/usudc/idas2010/

IDAS GETS RESULTS...
Main Break Team at WUDC 2011
Top Two ESL Speakers WUDC 2011
ESL Finalist Team WUDC 2011
2 Teams EFL Finals WUDC 2011
TwoTied for Top EFL Speaker WUDC 2011
3 Teams in EFL Semifinals WUDC 2011
EUDC ESL Champions 2010
5 EUDC Quarterfinal Teams 2010
WUDC Top EFL Speaker 2010
WUDC Top ESL Speaker 2010
2 OF WUDC EFL Top Ten Speakers 2010
4 OF WUDC ESL Top Ten Speakers 2010
5 OF WUDC ESL Quarterfinal Teams 2010
USU Semifinalist 2010
5 USU Main Break Teams 2010

LUXURIOUS HOTEL SPIK
http://internationaldebateacademy.blogspot.com/2010/10/idas-2010-relocates-to-hotel-spik-in.html 

THE BEST IN WUDC/BP DEBATE INSTRUCTION AND COMPETITION

19-27 NOVEMBER 2011
Full program for students – instruction, IDAS 2011 tournament
IDAS 2011 tournament for students – tournament in Ljubljana at the Faculty of Administration-University of Ljubljana.
Full program for trainers, teachers, coaches, club leaders, judges at any level in any debate format.

SPECIFIC DATES
Arrive in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia November 19 2011, dinner at 6 PM, program at 7 PM
Instruction in Hotel Spik November 20-24 2011
Transfer to Ljubljana morning 25 November 2011
IDAS tournament in Ljubljana afternoon 25-27 November 2011, ending at 3 PM

APPLICATION FORMS DUE NOVEMBER 15 2011 AVAILABLE FOR TOTAL PROGRAM OR JUST TOURNAMENT

NO SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION YET.

WHEN WE REACH OUR STUDENT CAPACITY NO ADDITIONAL APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED!

Organized by:
ZIP – Za in proti (ZIP), Pro et Contra, Institute for the Culture of Dialogue, Slovenia 
WDI – World Debate Institute, University of Vermont
Debate Clubs, University of Ljubljana

2010 FACULTY

• Zheng Bo, Director of Debate Peking University, China, WUDC breaking judge.
• Stephen Boyle, USA/Ireland: Twice in WUDC elims, won Hart House, Yale and Irish Times as debater for University College Dublin and now debate coach at University of Vermont.
• Loke Wing Fatt, Singapore: Well known Asian debate trainer, WUDC breaking judge, honorary professorship North-Eastern University China, SAID Singapore.
• Gavin lllsley, Oxford, Stylus Communication.
• Chris Langone, USA: Cornell University.
• Dr. Steve Llano, USA: St. John's University, CA at numerous USA tournaments, breaking judge at USU.
• Rhydian Morgan, UK: Chief Adjudicator and Finals judge at numerous tournaments, Welsh Debating Federation, World Debate Institute faculty 2008-09.
• Maja Nenadovic, Croatia: Founder of several debating societies across Europe, currently busy with introducing debate to countries in the Western Balkans region, and with finishing her PhD in political science at the University of Amsterdam.
• Thepparith Senamngern, Thailand: Assumption University, convener Bangkok WUDC & Thailand AUDC.
• Dr. Alfred Snider, USA: Professor at University of Vermont, Director World Debate Institute, USA Coach of the Year, six recent debate textbooks, Convener 2009 & 2011 US Universities Debating Championship tournament, founder of IDAS.
• Bojana Skrt, Slovenia: Director ZIP, three times WSDC EFL World Champion coach, 2010 ESL WSDC Champion coach, founder of IDAS.
• Anne Valkering, Netherlands: WUDC ESL champion 2008; DCA Dutch Nationals 2009,Convener EUDC 2010, CA Bonaparte Debate Tournament 2007, DCA Amsterdam Open 2008 and 2009, CA Sciences Po IV 2009.
• Dr. Jaime Wright, USA: St. John's University, final round chair at numerous USA tournaments, PhD in Communication.

CURRICULUM

• STUDENT TRAINING : Each Instruction day features a main lecture, exercise and drill sessions, and two complete critiqued practice debates. Many elective classes offered. Many training preparation sessions offered. Judge evaluation and training offered. Advanced, basic and beginner tracks available. The best way to get ready for WUDC in Botswana.
• IDAS 2011 TRAINER PROGRAM
  The International Debate Academy Slovenia will be offering a special track for trainers, coaches and those interested in learning about how to train debaters and create debate organizations such as clubs, academic programs and leagues. The program will call upon the extensive experience of the faculty to provide specialized training, including: Basic debate training steps: observation, advice from experienced trainers and curriculum guides Judging: instruction, shadow judging, real judging experience Tournaments: hosting, administering, including tabulation software. Advanced debate training: observation, advice from experienced trainers, curriculum guides. Organizing: recruiting debaters, implementing training, scheduling meetings, publicity. Attendees will have a sample judging session every morning as well as a special training session in the afternoon. All events at the program will also be open to attendees.  Special needs and requests specific to individuals can be met if given advance notice.
• TOURNAMENT: Sponsored by IDAS, ZIP and hosted by Faculty of Administration University of Ljubljana. Six preliminary rounds and semifinals in the WUDC format. No team caps as of now. Convener is Bojana Skrt, Chief Adjudicator is Alfred Snider.
  
  COST
  
  IN 2010 - 250 Euros for full program, 60 Euros for tournament. IN 2011 - FULL COST POSTED SOON.
  Fees: Includes all meals, double rooms, instructional materials, transportation from Ormoz to Ljubljana, and social activities. Accommodations: Rooms and full meals provided in Ormoz and Ljubljana. In Ljubljana we will be staying at Dijaški dom Bežigrad, www.ddb.si . Social activities each evening. Limited crash available for tournament. 

Financial Disclosure: IDAS is a non-profit program, trainers are not paid, trainer travel is not reimbursed, participation fees pay for attendee expenses of rooms and food only, trainer accommodations and food and other costs are covered by ZIP.

Social Events: We will have frequent social events, including the country exhibition, the Kitch Party (bring your ugly clothing, then trade it), swimming party (indoor pool), and more. We will not distribute alcohol to attendees out of the workshop fees. ZIP will seek soft drinks-beer-wine sponsors. We prioritize scholarships for attendees over alcohol. We want as many people as possible to join the program.

Website: http://debate.uvm.edu/idas.html
Blogsite: http://internationaldebateacademy.blogspot.com/

Organizing Committee:
Director of the Academy: Bojana Skrt, ZIP, bojana.skrt@siol.net
Head of Training: Alfred C. Snider, World Debate Institute, University of Vermont, alfred.snider@uvm.edu

2010 WEBSITE

IDAS Graduates Score Big at WUDC 2011

IDAS GETS RESULTS...

• Main Break Team at WUDC 2011
• Top Two ESL Speakers WUDC 2011
• ESL Finalist Team WUDC 2011
• ESL Semifinal Team WUDC 2011
• 2 Teams EFL Finals WUDC 2011
• Two Tied for Top EFL Speaker WUDC 2011
• 3 Teams in EFL Semifinals WUDC 2011

For more information http://debate.uvm.edu/idas.html

Vermont Wins IDAS 2010 Tournament

Stephen Boyle with his team from Vermont, John Sadek and Jessica Bullock

John Sadek and Jessica Bullock have won the 60 team 24 country International Debate Academy Slovenia 2010 tournament held at the Faculty of Administration, University of Ljubljana in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Filip Dobranic and Maja Cimernan of Ljubljana, the reigning EUDC ESL champs, came second, other teams in the final Were Anna England Kerr and Crt Podlogar from Ljublljana along with the Serbian team of Goran Jankuloski and Pedrag Pevicevic from Belgrade. JUDGES:

Anne Valkering, Netherlands (chair), John Hampson, British Council, Loke Wing Fatt, Singapore, TJ Senamngern, Thailand and Maja Nenadovic, Netherlands.

Semifinals: bold go through

ROOM:  AUDITORIUM

Kerr Podlogar 1O

Williams Eng 2O

Cimerman Dobranic 1P

Pitic Moscovici 2P

ROOM: 14

Dicu Gadeke 1O

Jankuloski Petricevic 2P

Sobocan Denkovski 1P

Sadek Bullock 2O

Quarterfinals: bold go through

ROOM: 2

1 Cimerman Dobranic, Slovenia/Ljubljana

16 Alexandrescu Sovaiala-Ionescu, Romania/Argo

8 Pitic Moscovici, Romania/Argo

9 Durrani Joyce, USA/St. John's

ROOM: 3

4 Kerr Podlogar, Slovenia/Ljubljana

13 Vignevic Cirovic, Serbia/Belgrade

5 Suleic Kolundzic, Serbia/Belgrade

12 Williams Eng, USA/Air Force Academy

ROOM: 4

2 Dicu Gadeke, Romania-Germany

15 Jutersek Polsak, Slovenia/Maribor

7 Jankuloski Petricevic, Serbia/Belgrade

10 Salapic Martinic, Croatia

ROOM: 5

3 Sadek Bullock, USA/Vermont

14 Sobocan Denkovski, Slovenia/Maribor-Cambridge

6 Vrecic Zitek, Slovenia/Ljubljana

11 Velikovski Georgievska, Macedonia

Speakers:

Position	Name	Team	Total points	Average
1	Maja Cimerman	Cimerman Dobranic	481	80,16
2	Filip Muki Dobranic	Cimerman Dobranic	479	79,83
3	Marietta Gadeke	Dicu Gaeke	475	79,16
4	Eveline Dicu	Dicu Gaeke	473	78,83
5	Goran Jankulovski	Jankulovski Petricevic	472	78,66
5	Jessica Bullock	Sadek Bullock	472	78,66
7	Anna England Kerr	Kerr Podlogar	470	78,33
7	Serban Pitic	Pitic Moscovici	470	78,33
9	Mlden Suleic	Suleic Kolundzic	469	78,16
10	John Sadek	Sadek Bullock	468	78,00

Motions:

1. THW require migrants wishing to have European citizenship to pass language and value tests.

2. This House would return national treasures to their country of origin

3. This House believes that adoption agencies that receve state funding should give priority to same sex couples and infertile couples.

4. This House would require large online social networks to be controlled democratically by their users.

5. This House would refuse to negotiate with kidnappers and hijackers.

6. This House believes that Roma should be recognized as the first transnational minority in the European Union.

Quarters. 

THBT Arabic nations should stop selling oil to France until it removes restrictions on Islamic dress.

Semis. THBT the ECB should have veto power over member states budgets
Finals. THBT the free market does not make the workers free.


The oprogram is sponsored by ZIP Slovenia, World Debate Institute USA, European Union, Europe for Citizens Program and the law firm of Bickell and Brewer. 

Breaking Teams at IDAS 2010

60 teams pose before round one

Top 20 teams, top 16 advance to quarterfinals in the morning:


1. Cimerman Dobranic 15-960 Slovenia/Ljubljama
2. Dicu Gadeke 14-948 Romania/Germany
3. Sadek Bullock 14-940 USA/Vermont
4. Kerr Podlogar 14-935 Slovenia/Ljubljana
5. Suleic Kolundzic 13-932 Serbia/Belgrade
6. Vrecic Zitek 13-896 Slovenia/Ljubljana
7. Jankiloski Petricevic 12-939 Serbia/Belgrade
8. Pitic Moscovici 12-930 Romania/Argo
9. Durrani Joyce 12-917 USA/St. John's
10. Salapic Martinic 12-899 Croatia
11. Velkovski Georgievska 12-898 Macedonia
12. Williams Eng, 11-913 USA/US Air Force Academy
13. Vignjevic Cirovic 11-912 Serbia/Belgrade
14. Sobocon Denkovski 11-911 Slovenia/Maribor & Cambridge
15. Juterek Polsak 11-909 Slovenia/Maribor
16. Alexandrescu Sovaiala-Ionescu 11-902 Romania/Argo


17. Brach Krakowski 11-894 Poland
18. Lipovsek Arvaj 11-890 Slovenia
19. Weese Jager 10-911 Austria/Vienna
20. Duque Diaz 10-907 Venezuela/AUDAS
20. Bencik Fink 10-907 Slovenia


IDAS is sponsored by ZIP Slovenia and the World Debate Institute at the University of Vermont, with support from European Union and the law firm of Bickel and Brewer. 

On To Ljubljana for the Tournament

This is the view from the room at Hotel Spik where I was staying.

The International Debate Academy Slovenia instructional portion ended on Thursday night.


After a day of three lectures, nine exercise groups, twelve practice debates, ten electives and then twelve more rooms of practice debates, the day ended with the famous "Kitsch Party." Everyone came in their funkiest styles and Gavin Ilsley got his legs waxed (so his short skirt would look better) in an effort to raise money for breast cancer and prostate cancer research. I am sure there will be lots of photos later.


Friday morning buses will take everyone to Ljubljana for the tournament held at the Faculty of Public Administration at the University of Ljubljana. Some teams added, a couple had to go home, but we are looking at a field of 60 teams at roll call. Rounds one and two will be today, three through six on Saturday, and then elimination rounds on Sunday.


Stay tuned for all details. 

Electives from First Two Days IDAS 2010

People have asked me what all those electives (12 a day) from IDAS are. So, I thought I would post them from the first two days to give people ideas for training and also an idea of how we are training university students and teachers here.

ELECTIVES: IDAS 2010

SUNDAY

ELECTIVE 1 1500

Room: Jezerci

Principled argumentation - Boyle
Learn how to argue from a principled standpoint and make theoretical arguments more convincing.

Room: Spik

How to improve your Manner/Be an effective speaker - Loke

Tips on how you could improve your style as a speaker will be discussed.  You will take home some useful ways to help yourself and others to become more effective, stylistically, as a public speaker.

Room: Gobela

Persuasive Appeals - Wright

Social science as a weapon of mass consumption. This lecture will address some of the more socially scientific visions of contemporary persuasion. Including some of these devices in a debate works to demonstrate the shared space between debaters, judges, and audiences.

Room: Elevator 3

Debating Technologies, Internet and Media – Zheng Bo

Discussion of How technologies shaped our life and our social network.

Room: Rute

Yugoslavia: Once Upon a Time, There Was a Country… - Nenadovic & Avbar

History, politics, culture and religion of a country that once was and is no longer. The elective pays special attention to the breakup of the country in the 1990s, the issues that arose in the process, and the (post-conflict) democratization processes as well as EU accession prospects for the countries formerly known as ‘Yugoslavia’.

Room: Elevator 2

Strategic style – Ilsley

Learning the value of a stylistic range and how best to deploy it

SUNDAY

ELECTIVE 2 1600

Room: Jezerci

EU Integration and expansion - Boyle
An exploration of the EUs expansion to date, and a discussion of the countries currently under consideration for accession.

Room: Spik

Multiculturalism in Singapore/Asia - Loke

This is a Content Lecture on how Singapore and Asian countries pursue multiculturalism in its politics, laws, and social norms.  It will be useful for EU students to learn how people from Asian countries devise policies to accommodate the multiplicity of race, religion and language in their diverse populations.

Room: Rute

Yugoslavia – Part 2 – Nenadovic & Aybar

Contunies from part 1.

Room: Gobela

Narrative Reasoning – Wright

This elective discusses the persuasive form and function of narrative. Defining narrative reasoning and combining it with more traditional appeals to reason makes debaters more persuasive to various audiences.

Room: Elevator 3

Setting Cases for Gov and Opp – Zheng Bo

Discussions on how Opp avoid panicking and develop a coherent case to negate the Gov case in 7-min, and how Gov can well utilize their 15-min prep time to develop a case that is logically sound.

Room: Elevator 2

The lightning bug and the lightning –  Ilsley

Word choice and framing in winning debates

MONDAY ELECTIVES

ELECTIVE 1 1500

Room: Gobela

Ecological Philosophies - Snider
There are philosophical perspectives on the relationship between human beings and the ecology that can help you create coherent, consistent and compelling arguments in debates about ecological issues. They range from very human-centered to very bio-centered. These can also help you, as an individual, determine what your relationship with the ecology is and how it should operate in your life as well as in debate.

Room: Rute

EU democratisation promotion policies – chances of success - Valkering

Room: Spik

Economics for debating - Boyle
Learn how to debate some of the most pressing economic issues of the day

Room:  Jecerzi

How to find the "core issues" in a debate motion - Loke

This is an interactive session where the students will be guided to systematically discover the key ideas which should be given air time in a debate topic.  Students will go away with some key concepts/questions they should ask when discovering "core issues" in a debate motion.

Room:  Lobby 3

Speaker Roles and Team Strategies – Zheng Bo

Discussions about speaker roles and team strategies, with focus on the dynamic nature of BP debates.

Room: Lobby 2

Aristotelian rhetoric – Wright

The form and function of different rhetorical forms. Recognizing the particulars of a case and a motion, using the parameters set forth by rhetorical scholarship, debaters could prep more fluid and convincing arguments.

Room: AW 1

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? – Nenadovic

Analyzing the debate motion in order to get a clear problem definition. Many governments fail to specify what the problem is that they are addressing, and in doing so, they miss to outline the relevance of the motion. This is a highly practical elective, where we will together take apart different debate motions, review problems inherent in those motions, and devise relevant government and opposition strategies.

ELECTIVE 2 1600

Room: Spik

      Position & Treatment of the Roma in Europe - Nenadovic

Starting with the brief history of the Roma people in Europe, this electives covers the current biggest controversies relating to their position and treatment. This elective will discuss both the recent deportations from France and the rise of right-wing parties such as Jobbik in Hungary and the implications this has on the position of Roma, as well as the intended mechanisms of protection (such as the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, laws on protection of national minorities). 

Room: Lobby 3

Debating China – Zheng Bo

Information and discussions about China, such as Mainland/Taiwan relationships, Tibet, China as World Factory, etc.

Room: Rute

EU and Asylym – Valkering

Asylum policies in the EU and how they work.

Room: Lobby 2

Histories – Wright

How historiography and the epideictic shape us. Considering the international flavor of Worlds-style debate, learning and applying historical narrative in a debate could establish credibility to various argumentation claims.

Room: Jecerzi

How to find Extensions - Loke

This lecture focuses on what is a valid Extension for the Second Teams and how to find a good one, without being told by the judges that you are just "repackaging" the Upper House.  Students will take home strategies to discover a good Extension.

Room:  Gobela

Needs and Motivation – Morgan

From Maslow to Max-Neef: a look at the classic

hierarchy of needs contrasted with conflicting models of need

satisfaction

8th IDAS Begins!

Debate - WUDC - Guaranteed Income - IDAS 2010 Exhibition from Alfred Snider on Vimeo.

With a total of 140 hearty souls on hand, the 8th International Debate Academy Slovenia has begun in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia. The program is sponsored by Za in Proti Slovenia, the World Debate Institute at the University of Vermont, the law firm of Bickell and Brewer, and the EU Europe for Citizens Program.

The event will feature ten practice debates, fifteen lectures, fifteen debate exercise sessions, over thirty elective classes and a number of exciting social events. Participants have come from over 24 countries to this year's event.

The event kicked off with an exhibition debate on Saturday night on the motion, This House believes that all citizens should be entitled to a basic income without the requirement of work. The first proposition team was Anna England Kerr of Ljubljana University and Stephen Boyle of University College Dublin and the University of Vermont, the second proposition team was Jessica Bullock and John Sadek of the University of Vermont, the first opposition team was Gavin Ilsley and Rhydian Morgan of the UK's Stylus Communications, and the second opposition team was Filip Dobranic and Maja Cimerman of Ljubljana University (the reigning EUDC ESL champions).

The event is being held at the Hotel Spik, a beautiful mountain resort with breathtaking views of the Julian Alps as well as lovely work rooms, living rooms and delicious food.

The director is Bojana Skrt and the academic director is Alfred Snider. Faculty include Stephen Boyle, Gavin Ilsley, Rhydian Morgan along with Loke Wing Fatt of Singapore, Maja Nenadovic of the Netherlands, Jaime Wright of St. John's University in the USA, Zheng Boof Peking University in China, Anne Valkering of the Netherlands, TJ Senamengern of Assumption University in Thailand, Steve Llano of St. John's University in the USA. Peter Mesarec and Helena Felc of Slovenia are important parts of the program.

There is a group of some 20 trainers and teachers who are attending the additional trainers' workshop. They will learn the WUDC format, coaching and training skills, as well as judging. They will begin judging as the week goes on and will also judge at the tournament.

On Friday everyone will take buses to Ljubljana where a three day tournament will take place at the University of Ljubljana's faculty of administration. Other teams from around Europe will join those already at IDAS for a major central European tournament.

For more information, check out http://debate.uvm.edu/idas.html and http://internationaldebateacademy.blogspot.com/

We will have more information as the program advances.