Indonesia into last 16 in world debate contest
Indonesia into last 16 in world debate contest
Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesia made it into the final 16 of the World Schools Debating
Championship (WSDC) for the first time ever after defeating South
Africa on Tuesday.
The Indonesian students had earlier beaten the Philippines,
Czech Republic, Germany and Estonia in the competition, which is
currently underway in Lima, Peru.
It is Indonesia's best achievement after two previous attempts
in 2001 and 2002. No Indonesian team has won more than three of
the eight mandatory WSDC preliminary contests.
This time Indonesia is represented by Astrid Kusumawardhani
from the Al-Izhar senior high school in Jakarta, Sahil Mahtani
from the Pelita Harapan school in Tangerang, Banten, Jurist Tan
from Jakarta's Kristen I senior high school, and Putu Sanjaya
Setiawan of the Kanisius senior high school in Jakarta.
Against South Africa in their final preliminary debate,
Indonesia opposed the Africans' stance that the sovereignty of a
nation state was an outdated concept despite recent changes
across the world.
"Countries still have the final decision to do whatever they
want so sovereignty is not an outdated concept. If it was,
countries will not have the power to withstand any forces that
are threatening them," said Sahil, Indonesia's second speaker,
whose speech swayed the vote.
Chief of the jury said it was a very close debate with both
teams showing high quality debating but two out three
adjudicators thought Indonesia was superior.
Despite the loss, South Africa reached the final 16 stage in
the 25-nation competition.
"I almost screamed when the decision was read out. I cannot
tell you how happy I was. It was indescribable," said first
speaker Astrid.
"After the debate, everyone suddenly acknowledged Indonesia.
Our victory has opened all doors. I love debating so much," added
the 17-year-old student.
Singapore, the Philippines and Kuwait are the other Asian
countries that have made it into the knock-out last 16 stage,
which will be held on Wednesday local time (Thursday morning
Indonesian time).
The final will take place the day after at the University of
Lima.