The Distinguished Judges are Announced for the Final of the World Online Debating Championship

London, United Kingdom, October 03, 2009 --(PR.com)-- With England and Lithuania currently competing in the WODC Final, hosts Debatewise have announced the six judges tasked with determining who will be crowned the first ever world online debating champions. The highly respected panel is littered with experienced big names from the world debating community.

The panel of judges are rightly described by Chief Adjudicator Neill Harvey-Smith, who himself is a former World Championship grand finalist, as one of the best ever assembled, and features some genuine debating heavyweights. Omar Salahuddin has been hugely successful during his own debating career, winning the Asian Masters four times with Team Malaysia, where he currently resides. Fellow judges include Monica Ferris, Croat Branka Marusic, who is the former President of the Europeans Council, and Colm Flynn, former chair of the World’s Council. The list is completed by Logan Balavijendran who served as chief adjudicator for Worlds 2005 in Malaysia and will reprise that role for Worlds 2011 in Botswana.

The English and Lithuanian teams will have to show outstanding debating ability if they are to impress the world class panel of judges. The role of the judges is to rank each team on their debates, and give credit for clear, simple, organised and consistent exposition of the case presented. The judges must make sure each case is relevant and logical, as well as evidenced. Whichever team the judges feel adheres to the rules and provides the more compelling and supported case will be judged the winner, with the judges having just three hundred words to provide reasons for their decision. With this highly respected and informative panel making the final decision, the two teams will feel safe in knowledge that there is no better panel of judges out there that could be reviewing and adjudicating their argument.

The final debate of the WODC can be viewed here: (http://www.debatewise.com/debates/1192) with the judges decision to follow once the final is completed.

Debatewise (www.debatewise.com) is a not for profit online debating site which aims to become the Wikipedia of debate. Anyone can start a debate on any subject they like and anyone can edit and strengthen that debate. This ensures that over time the strongest and most definitive arguments emerge and provide a highly valuable resource for anyone looking to make up their mind. Debatewise was founded in 2008 by David Crane and is currently based in the London internet hub of Hoxton, East London. Patrons include Michael Crick, Gabby Logan and Chris Heaton Harris

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