GUU has won a bid to host one of the most prestigious debating tournaments in 2024.
GUU has secured the hosting of the European University Debating Championships (EUDC) after the selection committee unanimously voted for Glasgow’s months in the works bid. The Union’s long legacy in debating will be on full display in 2024 when Europe’s finest institutions will arrive for the European Championships.
The GUU is no stranger to the tournament having won the championship in 2017 and reached the quarterfinals of the most recent competition. The GUU is also no stranger to hosting these international competitions, hosting the first World University Debating Championships in 1981 and four other times, most recently in 2001.
The tournament will take place over the summer of 2024 and see students from across Europe compete in the GUU building. Participants will be housed in Murano during these empty summer months.
GUU’s Debates Convenor, Emma Chan told The Glasgow Guardian, “Glasgow University Union is a fantastic institution – there are so many ways to get involved and aspects to enjoy. Debating is the sport Glasgow excels furthest in internationally. I am so pleased that we will be able to provide so many opportunities in the coming years and we are continuing to build on our great legacy.”
One of the organisers of the bid, Alexander Fraser, who serves as the Convenor for the Championships, noted his hope for the tournament being to get people more involved in debating, noting: “Having been involved with debating for the past half a decade during my time at University I am ecstatic that the European Championships are coming to Glasgow in 2024.
“Debating whilst at Glasgow provided me with so many fantastic skills, experiences and friends and hosting EUDC will hopefully encourage and help even more people to take up the opportunities provided by debating. Whether that’s logistically helping to run this major international event or meeting individuals from across the Continent, bringing Euros to Glasgow will provide so much for the GUU and incoming generations of debaters.”
I would like to attend this event as an adjudicator, I’m a Masters student at University of Limerick in Ireland