THE SECOND round of The Courier/Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland Junior Schools Debating competition started last night with a debate in which the speakers discussed Darfur.

The 12 speakers met at Grove Academy in Broughty Ferry to debate the motion, “This house believes that the west should intervene to prevent genocide in Darfur.”

Proposing the motion, and arguing for an intervention, were Rachael Delaney and Andrew Manzi of St John’s High School, Dundee, Catherine Sloan and Katy Williams of Perth Academy and Fiona Meek and Lindsay Wright of Madras College, St Andrews.

Opposing them, defending the current strategy, were Hannah Logan and Marianne Inglis of Morrison’s Academy, Crieff, Angus Stewart and Ross Munro of Grove Academy, and Sioned Raybould and Maria O’Neill of Waid Academy, Anstruther.

The proposition focused on the magnitude of the problems in Darfur, perhaps best expressed by Rachel Delaney, who asked, “How bad do problems have to be before we realise there’s something wrong?”

The proposition was extended to discuss the ability of a NATO force to make a difference, with Katy Williams saying, “We know we can make a difference, it’s a case of deciding that we should.”

The opposition rebutted this with claims that action would not deal with the important problems—well expressed by Hannah Logan, who said, “If the root problem isn’t dealt with, military action won’t alter much.”

It was extended by Angus Stewart, who said, “Sending a western army in wouldn’t be a great idea—it would just add another faction.”

After the debate, the motion was passed by 30 votes to 22 with two in abstention. Teams from St John’s and Morrison’s Academy progress to the semi-finals in February.

Speaker was Frank George of the St Andrews University Union Debating Society and the judging panel consisted of Catherine Smith of the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland, Sally Young of the university’s debating society and Kirsty Russell, tournament convener, of The Courier.

The competiton continues tonight with a debate in Kinross.