Durham Union Society to host the Debating Matters Durham Championship 2023

On Thursday 8 June Durham Union Society will play host to the Debating Matters Durham Championship 2023. Students from North East schools will come together for a day of intense but thrilling debate as they take on issues such as, “Billionaires owning media companies is bad for democracy” and “Cancel Culture is a threat to freedom of speech”.

As ever, a panel of debate judges will put students to the test by asking a series of tough questions and pushing them to find their best arguments.  Drawn from across a range of sectors including business, science, academia, the arts and media, this year’s judges will include Eileen Perrie, Engagement & Programming Manager of Locomotion, Shildon, Professor Tim Luckhurst, Principal of SouthCollege, Durham University, Dr Caspar Hewett, lecturer in Civil Engineering at Newcastle University and BBC North East and Cumbria’s political editor, Richard Moss.

It is my immense privilege to host a Debating Matters competition in Durham for a day of thrilling debate! Debating is part of a tradition of free speech that our Society has proudly followed for over 180 years. I’m deeply honoured to share in this tradition with sixth-form students from the North East who I hope will gain not only valuable skills that benefit them for life, but wonderful memories too.

Adam Albazy, President of the Durham Union Society

This event is part of the Debating Matters 20 for 20 programme, which commemorates 20 years of the competition.

The competition is open to students aged 16 to 18 from North East schools and colleges. For more information about Debating Matters or to enter the competition, please visit the Debating Matters website or contact mo@ideasmatter.org.uk