Welcome back, students! We are looking forward to another amazing year! Make sure to check out our 2024–25 Branksome Handbook.
A Worldwide Public Speaking and Debate Competition
After a successful inaugural competition, Re:Solved has returned!
What is Re:Solved?
Created as a partnership between Branksome Hall, an independent IB World School, and Toronto’s Munk Debates, dedicated to promoting civil and substantive public debate, Re:Solved is designed for all students aged 13-18 to fuel their interest and participation in global competitive public speaking and debate.
Our online public speaking platform 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 a universal theme.
Re:Solved asks students to create and upload a six- to -eight minute persuasive speech on a given topic. These are judged by adults from all over the world and the top 32 students will enter the debate phase, which culminates in a four person final debate in Toronto in April 2024.
Read some testimonials from past participants.
The theme of this year's Re:Solved competition is the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 75.
Read some testimonials from past participants.
The theme of this year's Re:Solved competition is the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 75.
The Final Re:Solved Debate Takes Place in Toronto
The Final Debate Tournament will be held in Toronto on April 27, 2024, and the four finalists will be flown to Toronto to compete, with all expenses covered.
Scholarship Amounts for Re:Solved Finalists
$5,000 for the winning team ($2,500 per student)
$3,000 for the runners up ($1,500 per student)
Registration
Registration for the second annual Re:Solved competition has now closed.
Students had until December 10, 2023 to prepare and deliver a six- to eight-minute speech and upload to our online debate platform, db8.
Motion: The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights has lost its relevance.
Students had until December 10, 2023 to prepare and deliver a six- to eight-minute speech and upload to our online debate platform, db8.
Motion: The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights has lost its relevance.
Key Dates
- Website, online platform and topic launched November 1, 2023
- Videos are due December 10, 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 in January 2024
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 April 2024.
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?
December 10, 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.
Contact Us
All questions about the Re:Solved debate competition and db8 online debate platform can be sent to: ReSolved@branksome.on.ca
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 girls' education everywhere takes collective action. From all of us.
