Royal Holloway’s Debating Society is a society that provides a space where people can learn the art of debating and public speaking. As well as having a friendly and supportive atmosphere and ethos, they also compete against other universities in both national and international debating competitions.
This year, the Royal Holloway home competition was attended by around thirty teams from universities across the country, including Warwick, Cambridge and Oxford. Team Royal Holloway competed and had an enjoyable, educational day. Royal Holloway hope to enter more teams into such competitions next year.
Since the debating society is relatively small, the newly elected Co-President, Oliver Kynaston-de Guyer’s, is aiming to expand the membership. During freshers week, the society is looking to have a big presence and recruit both new and current students of all levels of experience in debating. The society is very keen to help develop the skills of all of their members as skills learnt through debating can be very beneficial in the job market and in future careers.
The society has close links with other clubs and academic departments, this year with the Geography department and the Feminist Society. Moving into next year, they hope to continue this, especially with the introduction of a new law degree. These strengthened links with other societies will lead to more opportunities for members to be able to take part in debates on a wider variety of topics. Furthermore, it will promote the society on campus so that anyone who may be interested in the art of debating can find out more about group through topical cross-panel debates that are open to everyone.
For anyone wanting to join to make new friends and to have some fun, see their facebook group ‘Royal Holloway Debating Society’ or their Twitter account @RHULDebatingSoc.