Scotland has won the annual World Schools Debating Championships in Belgrade, Serbia – after being initially ranked 11 out of 68 countries. Logan (Form VI), alongside 4 pupils from Broxburn Academy, St Columba’s School and Portobello High School gave fantastic performances throughout the day that secured them the win.
In a round against New Zealand, Scotland successfully opposed the motion:
“This house would put an upper age limit of 60 years old for individuals running for political office”
Scotland then debated Qatar in the semi-final on the motion:
“This House would allow violent offenders to opt into Pavlovian conditioning as a substitution for prison time”
And they won the final on the motion:
“This house regrets the glorification of champions”
Scotland has previously won the Championships in 2012 and 2007, and finished as semi-finalists last year. First Minister John Swinney congratulated the team on Twitter/X, shortly after the win. Logan later spoke to The National about becoming a World Champion, and getting the chance to debate against teams from across the world:
“To be able to meet people from a range of different countries and cultures who, nonetheless, shared our passion for what we often feel to be a slightly odd, niche activity was one thing, but more than this was being able to know that, in spite of the polarisation and social media-based wrangling that seems to have devoured today’s world, there is still a place – among the young – for reasoned, critical discussion. This is something from which we can all benefit, and I’m honoured to say that I have.”
Well done Logan, we couldn’t be more proud!
