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11 March 2008

ESU America Tour - applications open



The oldest and arguably the most prestigious universities debating tour is the annual UK-US exchange that has been running since 1922. Each year the ESU sends two UK debaters to the US between September and November, and receives the American National Debate Team in February on their tour of Britain. This tour is the premier opportunity for British debaters topractise their craft and the <http://www.britishdebate.com/universities/squad/ustour_alumni.asp> list of alumni boasts a former British Prime Minister, a Leader of the Opposition, an Archbishop of Canterbury, many senior politicians, journalists and businessmen.

The US team itself consists of two students at American universities, selected from a national field of applicants by the Committee for International Discussion and Debate, a part of the National Communication Association (NCA) of the United States.

The tour aims to showcase international debating at its best, as well as providing the team with experience of a wide range of activities at schools, universities and ESU local branches. During their two to three week visit the tourists take part in public debates and university competitions, help in delivering workshops, adjudicate school and university competitions and also take part in social activities to experience British life and culture.

2008 applications
The team will be selected at the parliamentary office of Andrew Mitchell MP, a former US tourist and now shadow Secretary of State for International Development, between 16.00 and 18.00 on Wednesday 2 April. Joining Andrew on the panel of selectors will be Clark McGinn, a former US tourist, winner of the ESU John Smith Memorial (then Observer) Mace in 1981, and founder of the World Universities Debating Championships. Both are members of the ESU’s Committee of the Centre for Speech and Debate.

Candidates should be current students at, or recent graduates from, higher education institutions in the UK. The successful applicants will be selected on the basis of outstanding ambassadorial skills, public speaking and debating skills, and suitability of character for a long,often gruelling, close-quarters two-person tour.

Candidates should send a suitably-tailored résumé and cover letter (by email or post – either is acceptable) to:
James Probert
Head of the Centre for Speech and Debate
The English-Speaking Union
Dartmouth House
37 Charles Street
London W1J 5ED

no later than the morning of Monday 17 March.

To be considered for the tour you must be able to attend interview between 16.00 and 18.00 on Wednesday 2 April. No other interview slots can be arranged. The successful candidates should expect to be away from late September until early December, though there is some opportunity for influencing the start and finish dates once selected.
http://www.britishdebate.com/universities/squad/ustour.asp

James Probert
Deputy Director of Education &
Head of the Centre for Speech and Debate

The English-Speaking Union
37 Charles Street
London W1J 5ED
T: 020 7529 1550
F: 020 7495 6108
W: http://www.britishdebate.com/
W: http://www.esu.org/

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