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A Worldwide Public Speaking and Debate Competition
After many months of passionate public speaking and debating, Re:Solved has concluded with an intense competition between the top four students:
- Ruisi He - Shanghai American School, Shanghai
- Julian Zhang - University of Toronto Schools, Toronto
- Raine Gurton - Little Flower Academy, Vancouver
- Emily Su - Crofton House School, Vancouver
The young debaters took to the stage at the historic Hart House Debate Room at the University of Toronto on Tuesday 23 May, 2023, to debate the resolution, "We can appreciate art, even if the artist is personally reprehensible." Arguments had the audience intrigued as students went back and forth debating on the topic.
In the end of it all, Julian Zhang and Ruisi He were named champions of Re:Solved 2023! Congratulations!
About the Program
Created in partnership with Branksome Hall, an independent IB World School, and Toronto’s Munk Debates, dedicated to promoting civil and substantive public debate, Re:Solved is designed to fuel interest and participation in global competitive speaking and debate.
Our innovative online debate platform, db8, makes it easy for students and judges from around the world to connect and debate on topics that challenge popular beliefs and encourage deep thinking. The goal is to present the most persuasive argument on the universal topic.
Registration is now closed for the competition, thank you to the more than 100 students who participated—representing 20 countries.
Scholarship Amount for Re:Solved Finalists
$5,000 for the winning team ($2500 per student)
$3,000 for the runners up ($1500 per student)
Finalists also received prizes to assist with their post-secondary education expenses (not to mention bragging rights).
Be at Re:Solved!
Registration
Thank you to everyone who registered.
The inaugural Re:Solved Finals took place in person at the historic Hart House Debate Room at the University of Toronto on Tuesday 23 May, 2023.
The inaugural Re:Solved Finals took place in person at the historic Hart House Debate Room at the University of Toronto on Tuesday 23 May, 2023.
Key Dates
- Website, online platform and topic launched November 21, 2022
- Videos are due Jan. 16, 2023
- During this time, the judging matrix will be created and the judges will be contacted
- The judges will assess the speeches using the online platform
- The top 32 students (16 teams) will be contacted
Rules of Debate
Eligibility
- This competition is open to every secondary/high school student between the ages of 13 to 18 (Grades 9 to 12 in North American school terms).
- Once the top four students have been selected, students must be eligible for travel to Toronto in May 2023.
FAQ
List of 5 items.
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Who is eligible to participate?
The tournament is open to any secondary/high school student between the ages of 13–18. -
What does a six- to eight-minute speech look like?
When you're writing, aim for three to four pages of A4 or letter-sized paper (double-spaced). Anything longer means you will likely be speaking too quickly. -
When are videos due?
January 16, 2023 -
What is the registration fee?
There is no cost to participate in the tournament. -
What are the technical requirements for the tournament?
You need to provide an email address, which can be your own personal email or that of the school. You also need a device to film and a WIFI connection to upload the video and fill out the form. You will not be judged on the quality of the video. While you should be cognizant of space (ideally you would film in a classroom or a private space), the judges are to judge you on the quality of your words. In fact, the speech should not be edited at all. We are trying to keep this as simple as possible.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We wish to acknowledge this land on which Branksome operates. For thousands of years, it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and most recently, the Mississaugas of the Credit River. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work and go to school on this land.
Setting the new standard for girl’s education everywhere takes collective action. From all of us.
