The English-Speaking Union played host to the American National Debate Team this February, which toured the UK for three weeks as part of an exchange run by the Centre for Speech and Debate. Francesca Smith and Gavin Humes, both from Pepperdine University, California, were selected by the Committee for International Debate and Discussion (CIDD) to represent the United States from a pool of hundreds of American university debaters.
Francesca and Gavin's tour, which covered the length and breadth of the UK, was designed in order to allow them to experience British debating traditions and UK culture whilst acting as ambassadors for American style debating, and American culture in general. Highlights included debating at the Oxford Union, attending Prime Minister's Questions, conducting a debating workshop at Mulberry School, East London, and participating in various debating tournaments, including the Edinburgh and Cardiff IVs.
The team also participated in the US v UK Debate against the UK National Debate Team at the American Embassy, and learned more about the ESU Branch system from Holly Shakespeare and Don Miller (ESU London Branch) at a lunch at Dartmouth House. When asked to comment on her time in the UK, Francesca enthused "it was truly an unforgettable experience that will last a lifetime."
The Centre would like to express its gratitude to all those who helped to ensure the success of the tour.

The US National Debate Team, Francesca Smith and Gavin Humes, who are currently undertaking a three week tour of the UK under the auspices of the ESU, took on the UK National Debate Team, Fraser Campbell and Gavin Illsley, at the February meeting of the Dartmouth House Debating Society. The motion was "This House envies America's sense of patriotism." The US Embassy in London generously hosted the event.
An audience of over one hundred people witnessed a world-class standard of debate with the proposing UK team securing a narrow victory.
The ESU wishes to extend its thanks to The US Embassy and the American School in London for their support of the event, and to each of the speakers and the chairperson John Wilson of the American School.
For more information please contact vivienne_thomson@esu.org