March 11, 2005 — Do International Lending Agencies promote economic slavery in the Developing World? The audience filled the room as debaters prepared for the third round of the 15th annual Caribbean Intercollegiate Debate Competition hosted by University of the Virgin Islands.
For this topic, a team from UVI represented the proposition. They compared world lending agencies such as World Bank to having a credit card with a high interest rate, and calling them the "insurance company from hell forcing us to pay huge premiums."
However the opposition, a team from University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, made a stronger argument according to the judges. They pointed out that the international lending agencies evaluate conditions of loans on a case by case basis, and gave specific examples of countries who have seen economic upswings with the help of international loans. When the day was done, UWI Mona walked away victorious.
St. Thomas campus student activities supervisor Junie Violenes said the debates help students gain deeper understanding about themselves and the world around them. "It is hoped that through these debates, closer links will be formed between the institutions, which will lead to less isolation and greater collaborative efforts," Violenes said. She is also the chairwoman of the event's planning committee.
There were three rounds Friday, each with a different topic and two debates.
The University of the West Indies St. Augustine and the University of Technology came away victorious in round one, debating the topic, "Be it resolved that environmental activism jeopardizes growth and progress."
UVI and UWI Mona won round two, debating the topic "Be it resolved that CARICOM should ostracize Haiti."
In round three, Mona and UWI St. Augustine were victorious in debating the moot "Be it resolved that International Lending Agencies promote economic slavery in the Developing World."
The debate continues at 6 p.m. Saturday, when UWI Cave Hill will match wits against UTech, and UVI against UWI St. Augustine. The topic will be "Be it resolved that the 'Willy Lynch Legacy' still influences Caribbean culture."
In the finals UTech will go against UVI, and UWI Cave Hill will go against UWI Mona at 3 p.m. on Sunday. The topic will be "Be it resolved that peace is possible in the Middle East."
Three teams that were initially scheduled to participate in the Caribbean Intercollegiate Debates had to withdraw for various reasons, leaving five teams to compete for the title.
The debates, held at the UVI Sports and Fitness Center, are free and open to the public. Violenes encourages members of the community to attend the debates for "educational enlightenment and an opportunity to discuss world, national and regional issues." Audience participation is welcome while judges are deliberating.
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