Scottish Pupils to Debate The Merits of a Multicultural Society

12 June 2008

The Scottish Parliament Debating Chamber will be the setting for the biggest schools’ debating tournament in Scotland today (Thursday, 12 June).

The Donald Dewar Debating Tournament, which this year celebrates its tenth anniversary, will see four teams debating the motion ‘This House believes that a multicultural society is a unified society’.

Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson MSP, who will be chairing the debate, said:

“This year’s tournament has seen the entry of over 130 teams from the Western Isles to the Scottish Borders, so I congratulate the four winning teams on their efforts so far.

“The voice of Scotland’s young people is vitally important to us, and we aim to ensure that there are many relevant and innovative ways in which young people can engage with their Parliament. I look forward to hearing the range of views expressed during this debate on such an important issue.”

The debating tournament is an annual event run by the Law Society of Scotland, who, this year, have worked in partnership with the recently-formed Commission for Equality and Human Rights.

The four teams competing in the final of the tournament are from Robert Gordon’s College, Aberdeen, the High School of Dundee, Douglas Academy, Milngavie and Mearns Castle High School, Newton Mearns.