Schrijvers archief Nederlandse Debatbond

De Nederlandse Debatbond organiseert elk kwartaal een sociale activiteit. Deze activiteiten kunnen bijgewoond worden door alle leden van de Nederlandse Debatgemeenschap. Gedurende deze activiteiten leer je leden van andere debatverenigingen kennen op een andere manier dan op een debattoernooi. Natuurlijk hebben we ook veel plezier!

Op 29 mei om 20:00 uur zal de Nederlandse Debatbond een online pubquiz organiseren voor eenieder die graag de hersenen laat kraken onder het genot van een drankje en intrigerende gesprekken met mede-debaters of geïnteresseerden in debatteren. Je doet mee op individuele basis. Ben jij er klaar voor om te laten zien dat jij de slimste van je debatvereniging of zelfs de hele Nederlandse debatgemeenschap bent?

Meer informatie volgt snel over de de manier waarop we het organiseren; waarschijnlijk zal dit een combinatie van Kahoot en Zoom zijn.

Tot dan!

After the disappointing season finale of HBO’s hit series Game of Thrones, another incredibly popular debater activity will come to a close for this debating year: the Dutch Debating League. The true loyal fans are obviously completely up-to-date and have been posting fan theories for months. Time for 720 to inform you about all the ins-and-outs of this season – and to set out what to expect from its last episode.

The winners of this year

Who have been doing well over the past year? Unsurprisingly, LDU is at the top of the table, and just like last year, out of reach of the other societies. They have been doing even better than last year, and have won 53 out of the 56 available point. Their dominance has not been declining either, as they achieved their best speaks in the last edition taking place at Chronos in Eindhoven. Although there are thus no signs of slowing down, LDU will be cruising in Amsterdam – taking the trophy for the second year in the city of their biggest rivals.

In second place we find Cicero, from Tilburg. Perhaps only few would have predicted a couple of years ago the society would be at the top of the Dutch Debating community, but the society is the perfect example that consistent hard work pays off. Their dream team Lotte and Roel have been going to many DDL nights, and beat almost all their opponents. Only LDU and UDS have proven to be worthy contesters that were able to occasionally break the wheel of Cicero, crushing the societies that stand between them and that much desired glory.

Coming in third is the Utrecht Debating Society. After losing local debating superstar Pieter to the rival society in Oxford and partner Florine to ‘being-too-cool-for-debating-life’, not many would have predicted that UDS could hang so well with the rest. After the sixth evening they were even tied with Cicero for second place, but unfortunately for them took two fourths in Eindhoven. Part of the rise of UDS can be explained by luring experienced debaters from other societies to the most beautiful city of the Netherlands, rather than fully having to rely on new blood. With Joris and Daan, they found two enthusiastic quality debaters that are not afraid of facing anybody. Will they be able to pull of a major upset and pass Cicero on the last day?

Lastly, Chronos is definitely one of the winners of this season. Only having stepped in halfway, after the inability of GDS to send more teams, they have performed exceptionally well. Although they currently find themselves in 8^th place, a solid performance on the last evening might see them climbing the ranks and finish off the season strong. We can only be excited to see what the newest addition to Dutch Debating has to offer in a full season next year.

The losers… so far?

One of losers this season has been GDS, which has not showed up since the first evening this season. Rumour has it that the earth quakes in the area have made the Northerns more suspicious of the rest of the Netherlands. Moreover, its president Lars is known to stick to the motto that Northerns have never fared well traveling south, looking to prominent examples such as Ned and Rob Stark. Now that winter is over, we hope to welcome them next year.

EDS, one of the top contenders last years, is also found amongst the losers this season. Finding themselves in 7^th place is unworthy for one of the largest debating societies in the Netherlands. Losing Emma and Fenna as dedicated team that was one of the few that could beat Leiden, even on an average day, the competition has lost some excitement with the fact that no replacement has been found. Literally, since EDS has not sent a team to most evening this year. At the last evening of the year, they even have to fear being overtaken by Chronos. Can they still turn it around?

Jelte’s new rule implementation can also not be counted amongst the winners, unfortunately. As a response to the participation rate, it was decided that the Debatbond would open up the DDL to all its member societies. No society has made use of the opportunity, however. Jelte’s relentless and endless stalking have also resulted in serious damage to his social status amongst Dutch debating boards. Back to the drawing board!

The inbetweeners

Delft can perhaps not be said to be a winner, but it is certainly not a loser. Sitting comfortably at  fourth place, Delft has put in a consistent performance this season. Moreover, they are improving at a scary rate. Whereas the beginning of the season started of slow for the technicians, they have been catching up in the last three editions: taking home 5 points at each of those. Not only will they therefore earn more than you in the future, the other societies should be scared of Delft next year.

Bonaparte has been slightly underwhelming performance this year, but does have an excellent opportunity to finish strong as they have the home advantage at the upcoming addition. Starting strong at the first evening, everybody reckoned Bonaparte would become a contender for the title. They haven’t quite lived up to that expectation, but the beer will be served cold – so when debating doesn’t work out they can always resort to what they do best.

Trivium’s performance this year can best be described as capricious. Occasionally brilliant, taking home serious points; other times slightly disappointing. As a society that has to travel far and wide to participate, it hasn’t been easy for them. Nonetheless, they have displayed that new talent is coming up in the far East. Let’s wait for next year!

The Finale

Although Leiden will take home the trophy, not everything has been decided. It will be the last chance to create that lasting legacy that will secure your place in the history of your society. Who will make the history books, and who will be forgotten. Spicy motions, all-deciding set-ups: guaranteed excitement at the DDL in Amsterdam. All are welcome!

Written by Lena

Now that the Debatbond board members are in the final months, it was a good opportunity for 720 to interview them once more. Importantly, the Debatbond will be recruiting for a new board soon. If you are thinking of potentially applying, this is where you can get to know everything your heart desires to know about the Debatbond!  Who are the board members? How have they changed during their board year? What have they done in the past years? Those are all the questions you might be asking yourself. We are hoping to inform you all about the organization for you by getting to know the members, what they do and what they have been able to accomplish.

Meer lezen

Yesterday evening, the Debatbond hosted the first Bondsraad of 2019. At our usual spot in the always sunny Utrecht, the Dutch debating societies came together to discuss our collective futures and make important decisions. After relocating twice on the UCU campus, and shoving the last kaassoufles down our throat – everybody was ready! To get everyone up to speed, 720 put together a quick post-Bondsraad brief.

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Written by Ybo

Leiden Open Highlight Rail:

Pre-social drinks – former minister of justice Ard van der Steur opening the event – five excellent debates with lunch and dinner in between – epic social – headachy Sunday with great semi’s and a brilliant novice final – fantastic grand final – home in time for supper.

Last week was the Leiden Open. A wonderful tournament that, almost since its inception, has drawn teams from all around the world. This year debaters came from India, Pakistan and Canada, as well as Turkey, Serbia and the rest of Europe. This short article describes my favourite argument from this year’s Leiden Open.

The argument was made in round three, on the motion: TH regrets the judicialization of politics.

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Written by Mike Weltevrede

I have loved the DDL’s concept from the start. I quickly dismissed some concerns that people had with sending new debaters to the DDL because it was deemed to be a competition between the best people of each society. Sure enough, this was the initial thought behind it, but more and more societies have become comfortable with sending new debaters to the DDL. I just love this. Also at this edition of the DDL in Nijmegen (the fourth one of this academic year already and the twelfth one overall), I met with debaters who were not necessarily veterans but who certainly proved their worth. Let me tell you more about this clash of (young and old) titans.

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