IDEA International Tournament of Champions

Invitation to the 2010 IDEA International Tournament of Champions

On May 21st-23rd, the International Debate Education Association (IDEA) will host the sixth annual International Tournament of Champions in Salem, OR. Just as college students are departing from Willamette University for their summer vacation, high school debaters from around the world will arrive on campus for a weekend of debate, discussion, and fun activities.

The tournament commences with a debate workshop hosted by members of the Willamette University Debate Union. Students will then compete in Worlds-Schools debate format in three person teams. Beyond debate, participants will get a taste of college life as they stay in Willamette's dormitories and hang out in Montag Den, where students can relax and interact with each other through games and activities.

"The ideal of this tournament is to create a venue for young people to meet each other who normally wouldn't meet in other circumstances — ideally internationally, but even within the states and North America," said Robert Trapp, IDEA Executive Director and Willamette University professor and debate coach.

If you are interested in participating in the 2010 ITOC, contact IDEA Communications Director, Crystal Jeffers, at cjeffers@willamette.edu. For more information, visit the tournament event page at http://idebate.org/events . Registration ends April 22.

Here are a few comments from some coaches who attended last year’s tournament:

"Outstanding. The staff and setting was perfect. This was the most relaxed I've ever been at a tournament."


"My students keep on improving their debating skills when they participate in this tournament. And we are challenged to keep pace with other debaters in the world. The exposure helps them a lot."


"This is a very good avenue for students to hone their skills and potentials in debating and researching. The exposure even develops the interpersonal and intrapersonal skills of young people."