Debating Matters
Debating Matters is a debating competition for schools and is a project of the Institute of Ideas[1], associated with the libertarian anti-environmental LM network. It was launched in 2003.[2] Since 2008, there has been a Debating Matters competition in India, produced in partnership with the British Council and Shell.
Topics guides provided to participating pupils include material from LM associated entities Academics for Academic Freedom, the Manifesto Club, Sense About Science and Spiked. These topics guides are offered as Key Stage 4 teaching resources by the Times Educational Supplement. [3] Other material comes from sponsors Pfizer and Wellcome Trust, from industry associations and from free enterprise think tank, the Progress and Freedom Foundation. A recent project is the Research Councils UK funded Global Uncertainties Schools Network. Involvement in Debating Matters is offered as part of a Fulbright Award. [4]
Individuals prominently involved include Helen Birtwhistle, Justine Brian and Tony Gilland,[5] all associates of the LM network.
Funding
Sponsors include Pfizer, the Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust.[6]
Pfizer's support may be motivated by the topics which include subjects of interest to the pharmaceutical industry such as: the value or otherwise of complementary medicine, NHS rationing of expensive drugs, clinical trials in developing countries, fertility treatments, genetic screening, anti-aging treatments, genetic engineering and animal experimentation.
The Medical Research council has a long history of involvement in LM activities, including sponsoring the Battle of Ideas and involvement in Pro-Test, of which James Panton was a prominent member.
Grants made by the Wellcome Foundation included £210,000 during the period Dec 2002 to November 2004[7] and £200,000 during the period October 2007 to September 2008.[8] Wellcome noted in justification for its support that "Debating Matters is unique among debating competitions in the prominence it gives to topics related to scientific and biomedical controversies."[9]
Contact
- Website: http://www.debatingmatters.com
- Facebook: Debating Matters
Notes
- ↑ Home page, Debating Matters website, accessed 1 May 2010
- ↑ About, Debating Matters website, acc 1 May 2010
- ↑ Debating Matters, TES website, acc 14 Dec 2010
- ↑ Additional Opportunities, Fulbright Commission website, acc 30 Dec 2010
- ↑ People, Debating Matters website, acc 1 May 2010
- ↑ Sponsors and Supporters, Debating Matters website, acc 1 May 2010
- ↑ Society Award: Activities summaries Wellcome website acc 5 Feb 2011
- ↑ Society Award: Activities summaries Wellcome website acc 5 Feb 2011
- ↑ [ http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/Funding/Public-engagement/Funded-projects/Awards-made/WTX054126.htm Society Award: Activities summaries] Wellcome website acc 5 Feb 2011
