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]
Topics guides provided to participating pupils include material from LM associated entities Academics for Academic Freedom, the Manifesto Club, Sense About Science and Spiked. 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.
Individuals prominently involved include Helen Birtwhistle, Justine Brian and Tony Gilland.[3], all associates of the LM network.
Funding
Sponsors include the Wellcome Trust, Pfizer, and the Medical Research Council.[4]
What’s in it for Pfizer? One clue is in the topics which include such subjects of interest to the pharmaceutical industry 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.
Contact
http://www.debatingmatters.com
