WSDC 2001: Johannesburg, South Africa
Newsletters

Newsletter 4

Hi all!

This is a very long newsletter but contains important information on registration issues, travel issues and other things - so please read it carefully.

1. PRESIDENT OF THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

But to start with - some exciting news... The Organising Committee is thrilled to announce that Mr Nelson Mandela, the former president of South Africa has accepted the position of President of the 2001 World Schools Debating Championships. Mr Mandela said that he was extremely pleased to have been asked and that it sounded like a wonderful event. He has also agreed to give the opening address at the Grand Banquet and Final on the last evening of the Championships.

2. REGISTRATION - WHAT TO DO NOW!

Firstly, please take note of the November 17 deadline (the end of this week!) By the end of this week you need to have sent us:

• your pre-registration deposit of R2000

• your final numbers of debaters, coaches, adjudicators and observers

• where possible we also need to know the gender of your debaters to enable us to begin working out hotel arrangements.

We have 39 countries who want to attend the Championships. We will only guarantee to accept the first 34 to pay their pre-registration deposits (provided they also pay their full entry fees by the 8th of December).

Secondly, please remember the December 8 deadline for final registration payments. By this date you need to have sent us:

• your full registration fees for each member of your delegation

• entry forms for all debaters, coaches, adjudicators and observers

• your final accommodation requirements (see below)

• your Youth Summit form for your country (any queries on this please e-mail: 2001summit@debating.org.za)

• your sponsor's logo for inclusion in the handbook

Please note that while you can do all your registration forms online as various countries have already done, it is very important that you also bring printed and signed copies of the forms with you to Johannesburg. We need the signed forms for the waiver of liability agreement.

3. FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS

Please note that our bank account number has had to change (the bank's fault - not ours).
The new account number is: 072244186

All other banking details remain the same - therefore the full details are:

It is also apparently possible to use your credit card to pay fees to this account - all you need to do is take your credit card to your bank with the above banking details and they can make the necessary arrangements.

A number of countries (unsurprisingly!) have encountered difficulties in transferring amounts in South African Rands and have asked whether they can transfer in US dollars instead.

Here are the conversions for the various amounts that you would be transferring money for:

• Pre-registration deposit - R2000 or $285

• Entry fees (debater/coach/adjudicator) - R1700 or $240

• Entry fees (observer) - R4000 or $565

We are aware that these are not the same as current exchange rates but have worked off our initial calculation for entry fees. The extra money will be used to cover the conversion costs and bank transfer fees that we will be charged for each transaction.

A new finance form with space to include all extra accommodation charges (see below) and payment for video (below again) will be posted on the web and sent out by e-mail shortly.

4. ACCOMMODATION

The Championship hotel will be the Sandton Holiday Inn Garden Court. It does not have a website but given that we will pick you up from the airport you do not need directions or anything like that.

In order to be able to spend more money on events and the Championships themselves rather than accommodation, the hotel management have allowed the debaters to stay four in a double room.

This will mean doubling up in the double beds, but it will also mean much more money to make the championships a better debating experience.

The general rooming arrangements for the hotel will therefore be as follows:

• each room has 2 double beds in it.

• coaches, adjudicators and observers will be allocated two to a room.

• because of the massive hotel costs, most debaters will be allocated 4 to a room but we will do our best to ensure that where there are four in room you are from the same country so that you know each other.

For upgrades:

• for coaches, adjudicators and observers, the cost of upgrading yourself to a single room is an additional R1750 ($247) per person for the Championship.

• for those debaters who want to guarantee that they are 1 of 2 people in a room rather than 1 of 4 the cost is an additional R1050 ($148) per person for the Championships

• We know these rates are very high - but they were simply unavoidable and represent the actual difference that the upgrades will cost us.

For accommodation before and after the Championships

• for a single room the cost is R450 ($64) per person including breakfast

• for a double room with 2 people the cost is R300 ($42) per person including breakfast

• for a double room with 4 people the cost is R200 ($28) per person including breakfast

Please let us know as soon as possible whether you require upgrades to single/double rooms and what your accommodation requirements are before and after the Championships. At the very latest we need all of this information by Friday 8 December.

5. TOPICS AND DRAW

Monday 20 November

• the four prepared topics and the Grand Final topic will be released.

• sides will not be released at this point

Monday 11 December

• sides (prop/opp) will be released ONLY to those teams who have paid their registration fees.

• countries who pay their registration fees late will receive their sides at that point.

• the full draw (who is debating against who) will only be released at the Championships themselves.

6. TRAINING VIDEO

We have filmed a World Schools-style debate in order to give new teams a flavour of the Championships and to give more experienced debaters a reminder of things judges will be looking for.

Staged at the English-Speaking Union in London, England, which many of you will remember from the 1999 Championships, the video features six former World Schools debater who are now at university: Aaron Maniam (Singapore), Kirsteen Macleod (Scotland), Daragh Grant (Ireland), Sarah Monroe (England), David Penny (Wales) and Michael Birshan (England). They were split into 'country' teams (Lapland and Transylvania) and asked to debate the motion "This House believes that child labour in the developing world can be justified".

The debate was adjudicated by three experienced WSDC judges: Thomas Dixon (England), Cameron Wyllie (Scotland) and James Brimble (Wales). In fly-on-the-wall style we filmed their private discussion after the debate as they analyse the speeches and why they voted the way the did. Then, as in a proper World Championship debate, the teams are recalled to their seats to hear the verdict delivered.

This example video comes as part of a training package, useful for debaters, coaches and judges. Accompanying written materials will include copies of the judges' actual ballot papers, and notes written by Trevor Sather (this year's Chief Adjudicator). For students new to debating or to the World Schools style, a simple viewing of the debate will be a very useful introduction; but even the most experienced debaters and coaches will benefit from the judges' discussion, which follows a high-standard and very close debate.

This video will be sent free to all countries attending the Championships for the first time. These countries need to send us there postal address and what format they would like the tape in.

For all other countries who wish to purchase a copy of this video the price will be R70 ($10) including postage. Please order the video via e-mail (2001entry@debating.org.za) giving us your postal address and the required format of the tape and include the money in your payment of entry fees.

The videos will be sent out within the next 10 days.

7. TRAVEL INSURANCE

We strongly advise that every person planning to attend the championships obtain travel insurance for the length of their stay in South Africa - especially medical insurance. Sandton is well equipped with world class doctors and clinics, but most demand up-front payment for treatment. We suggest that coaches make sure each member of their delegation is covered and obtain permission from their debaters guardians to act in loco parentis should the need arise.

8. VISAS

We have been informed that citizens of the following countries do not require visas for holiday and business visits of up to 30 days unless applicants have been specifically advised that their visa exemption has been withdrawn:

Argentina; Australia; Botswana; Canada; Hong Kong; Hungary; Ireland; Israel; Germany; Greece; Malaysia; Mauritius; Namibia; Netherlands; New Zealand; Peru; Portugal; Singapore; Slovak Republic; Swaziland; USA;

If your country is not listed above, you may need a visa please ensure that you check as soon as possible. Even if your country is listed above we would suggest that you check with your local South African embassy or a good travel agency. Please let us know if you need assistance.

9. VACCINATIONS

• SMALLPOX - a smallpox vaccination is not required for entry into South Africa.

• YELLOW FEVER - yellow fever immunisation is a requirement if a journey to the Republic of South Africa starts or entails passing through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America by any means other than a scheduled air service. All persons applying to visit South Africa that are yellow fever sufferers or carriers and persons that will be visiting South Africa within 6 days of departure from a yellow fever area are regarded as restricted person unless:

  1. they are in possession of a valid inoculation certificate against yellow fever;

  2. that person had been an air passenger in direct transit at a scheduled airport;

  Please note that the required yellow fever inoculation certificate only becomes valid 10 days after immunisation and thereafter remains valid for a period of 10 years.

• MALARIA - Johannesburg and Gauteng are NOT malaria areas and nor are any of the other major metropolitan areas of South Africa. You will however need to take certain precautions if you are touring through certain rural parts of South Africa before or after the championships.

That's it for now! Please contact Belinda and Steve if you have any queries at all.

In the mean time, here are some exciting websites to whet your appetite and give you a taste of Johannesburg:

• http://www.gauteng.net/ - Gauteng tourist authority page

• http: //www.satour.co.za/ - for tourist information on South Africa

Regards

STEVEN BUDLENDER
Convenor & Tournament Director
2001convenor@debating.org.za

BELINDA FYNN
Admissions Director
2001entry@debating.org.za

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