British High Commission holds semi-final of the GREAT debate competition at FC College Lahore
The GREAT Debate competition aims to promote the UK and Pakistan’s shared culture of vibrant and intellectual discussion.
The British High Commission brought the Pakistan-wide debating competition, the Great Debate, to Lahore. The competition’s third semi-final, out of 12, brought students and academic professionals together at the FC College, Lahore.
The British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Mr. Philip Barton CMG OBE attended the latest round as the Guest of Honour.
Launched on 22 September by the British High Commission, the Great Debate competition aims to promote the UK and Pakistan’s shared culture of vibrant and intellectual discussion. Further rounds of the competition will take place in nine other key cities across Pakistan where university students will debate topics concerning the theme of the competition: Pakistan 2047.
Future winners will then join third semi-final’s champion Gadhaun Aslam from the FC College, Lahore in the grand final where the overall winner of the Great Debate competition will be announced and awarded the British High Commission Scholarship.
Sharing his thoughts, the British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Philip Barton CMG OBE said:
As a diplomat the most useful skill I have is the ability to win an argument peacefully. We believe that debating – the power to make arguments, persuade others and put your point across coherently – is a really important skill for the future. Young people at University today are preparing for jobs that still do not exist, and while qualifications are tremendously important, so are wider skills that people can learn.
We believe that Pakistan has huge potential to become an economic powerhouse by investing in education, infrastructure and its people so that Pakistan can make the best use of their talents and Pakistan’s location. These debates aim to ask the future leaders what their thoughts are in the key areas that will have an impact on the Pakistan of 2047.
It is also an opportunity to celebrate and promote the UK and Pakistan’s shared culture of vibrant discussion and intellectual debate.
On winning the Lahore leg of the GREAT Debate competition, Gadhaun Aslam said:
It was really nice to participate in the Great Debate competition today and share my thoughts about different topics.
Sometime you do get topics which you personally don’t support but actually this is where the art of debating comes in. You do your research and put your logic and arguments in front of the audience without having a personal bias on these topics.
I really look forward to coming to Islamabad in the grand final of the Great Debate and meeting and competing against other finalists.
Students from other cities who wish to participate in the Great Debate are encouraged to visit and register on the website where they will see a list of the 9 other host cities.
Contact:
For more information please contact the British High Commission at +92 51 201 2000
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