SVGCC to host WI students’ debate

The St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College (SVGCC) will host the second Windward Islands Debating Competition (WIDC) among Community Colleges in the Windward Islands from March 2nd – 3rd at the Lecture Theatre 2 at the Villa campus, commencing at 9 a.m. each day. The other three participating colleges are the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) from St Lucia, Dominica State College and the TA Marryshow Community College, representing Grenada. The debate will run over the two-day period, with teams participating in a semi-final and final round.

The competition follows a 45-year tradition of a similar competition in the Leeward Islands. Head of the Caribbean Research Center at Medgar Evers College (CRC/MEC) Dr JA George Irish initiated the Leeward Islands competition and proposed that the Windward Islands adopt this programme as part of a strategy for Caribbean Youth Leadership Development. The aim of the WIDC is also to reinforce the multidisciplinary approach, which is needed to assess the needs of Caribbean societies and nurture critical thinkers who will help shape the democratic societies of the Caribbean region. It will also serve to promote regional integration, collegial information sharing and cultural exchanges.

The Windward Islands Debating Competition will be held under the patronage of His Excellency the Governor General, Sir Frederick Ballantyne. It also has the support of the Eastern Caribbean Debating Foundation Incorporated.