RI in world debate contest

JAKARTA: Five Indonesians will take part in the annual World Schools Debating Championship, which begins in Singapore on Wednesday, according to the Ministry of National Education.

This will be the second time that Indonesia is sending a delegation to the event. In its debut last year, the Indonesian team returned with the "Best New Team" award.

The five participants, winners of the national English debating championship for high school students held in Jakarta in July, are: Ina Damayanti (Taruna Nusantara, Magelang), Karina Sigar (Pelita Harapan, Banten), Minerva Annuri Soedjatmiko (SMUN3 Bandung), Fathir Fajar Sidiq (Dwi Warna, Bogor) and Jeni Wardin (SMUN2 Bengkulu).

Besides going for the main trophy, competing against teams from English-speaking countries like the United States, Canada, England, Ireland and last year's winner Australia, the Indonesian team will also compete for the best award for non-English speaking countries, which last year went to Pakistan.

The competition ends on Feb. 2. -- JP