Debate blog How far did debate come in your country?
Debate programs in different countries vary from “none” to “all in”, meaning, that a lot of countries have small debate programs or none, and there are countries where debate did get a long way.
I’m really busy doing all the debate stuff right now so it got me thinking how far did debate come in Slovenia…
Just now we are organisin a debate conference that is supported by our country’s president, Ljubljanas mayor and the dean from the faculty… You can see debate on the national TV, and debaters have been invited to most of the important TV shows.
Debate tournaments are covered by local and national media. The High school nationals was covered by the national radio.
When I go and make debate and public speaking seminars around the country on High schools, a lot of pupils already know, what debate is about, especially because of the TV debate show (called Tekma).
Debate seminars for teachers in High schools are payed and promoted by the National education board (this is probably the worst translation ever… 
).
I believe that debate made a great and a long journey in Slovenia… The last 11 years have been exciting, and Im glad I was able to participate in a couple of them… And I hope I will be able to participate some more…
So what is the road that you have traveled?
I am probably not the best person to ask, but here’s how I’ve seen Bulgaria in the last few years.
There have been regular national high school tournaments organized by our national association, thanks to Dafo. There was no last year. There are steady clubs in some cities. There’s a lack of couches, most debaters forget about the program after they graduate from high school. Bulgaria’s hosting IDEA’s youth forum with the support of the President, but this in our context looks like a once-happening event. The future doesn’t look very promising either.
The regional competition I attended 3-4 years ago was covered by local media. National media doesn’t ever mention the word debate in the meaning of a competitive debate.
On a university level, Sofia University used to have a steady club. There are still a lot of people around in Sofia, but the club isn’t meeting regularly anymore. My university, AUBG, has been organizing debating tournaments with some international participation annually in the last 5 years. I think in 2004 there were 13 countries participating. We’re still sticking around tho; will get another big BG state university involved next year.
As far as media is concerned, the national media was actually invited and even showed up with their equipment. Only that the university PR office had given them the wrong location - the media reps were told to be in a different building, so they spent 1hr looking for the place. Then they were bored, pissed, or tired, and decided not to stick around for the final. They shot the announcement of the motion but nothing appeared on TV.