# World Universities Debating Championship

The World Universities Debating Championship (WUDC) is the world's largest international debating tournament and one of the largest annual international student events. WUDC is held in the British Parliamentary format (involving four teams of two people in each debate).
Each year, the event is hosted by an institution selected by the World Universities Debating Council. The current 2025 world champions are Madeleine Wu & Ryan Lafferty from Dartmouth College.

## History
### Predecessor tournaments

The Trans-Atlantic University Speech Association held tournaments in London (1976 and 1978) and at McGill University, Montreal, in 1977. Chicago was to hold a tournament in 1979 but this was postponed and then abandoned. A "World Debating Festival", sponsored by Honeywell was held in Sydney in 1978. The TAUSA event attracted mostly Northern Hemisphere tournaments, the Honeywell was largely Southern Hemisphere. The first competition was hosted in Glasgow and convened by debaters at the Glasgow University Union.

## Format

The championship is usually held in the days following the 25th of December, since many of the institutions attending from the Northern Hemisphere where the championship originated take vacations at this time. Although many countries that do not celebrate Christmas have become participants at the competition, the timing has remained the same. In most recent years, the nine preliminary rounds of the tournament have been held over three days from 29 to 31 December, with the elimination rounds being held on 2 January and the Grand Final on 3 January.
In recent years, the championship has varied from about 150 to 400 teams, depending on the capacity of the host institution. With judges and organisers, this involves 500 to 1,000 participants in all.
The competition involves nine preliminary rounds, which become "power-paired" as the tournament progresses, matching the strongest-performing teams against each other. Two teams form the "government" ("proposition" in the UK and North America) and two the "opposition" in each debate room. The process of scoring and pairing these teams is known as "tabbing". The scoring of teams is done by judges, most of whom are students or former students from the competing institutions, who return "ballots" with their scores to the adjudication team, led by a Chief Adjudicator who is assisted by one or more deputies. The deputies are not members of the host institution.
The nine preliminary rounds are followed by a "break" at which the teams proceeding to elimination rounds are announced. This is traditionally done on New Year's Eve, although this is subject to the timing of the tournament. In the current tournament format, the top 16 teams from the preliminary rounds proceed to the octofinal round. The teams ranked 17–48 also break into a partial double octofinal round, and the winning teams from this round join the teams ranked 1–16 in the octo-finals. While preliminary rounds are usually judged by three to five judges, the break rounds are judged by panels of five, semifinal judged by panels of seven and the finals by panels of nine.
Separate breaks are announced for the English-as-a-second language (ESL) and English-as-a-foreign language (EFL) team competitions, for the individual public speaking competition, and the "World Masters" tournament which is participated in by judges (most of whom are no longer students) representing the countries where they studied or of which they are citizens. In addition, a comedy competition is also open to all participants in Worlds.

## Governance

The World Universities Debating Council consists of representatives of every country that competes at the World Universities Debating Championship. Each country selects one council delegate (the national debating association president, or selected from the participants at Worlds). The council is responsible for setting the rules and awarding the right to host the championships.
A Worlds Committee is elected to discuss issues during the year as Council only meets at the championships itself. This Committee consists of a mix of elected officers and regional representatives from Africa, the Americas, Australia and New Zealand, Continental Europe and the Middle East, and the British Isles (referred to in debating as Islands of the North Atlantic thought more politically acceptable than British Isles).
The Council formerly operated not unlike the United Nations Security Council, with seven nations holding "charter member status" – the United States, Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. A two-thirds majority of these countries was required for changes to the championship's constitution, irrespective of how the general vote was tallied. However, as the number of non-charter nations attending grew, many fielding far more teams than some of the upper tier, and the championship began being hosted outside the Charter nations, pressure grew for the distinction to be eliminated.
The modern championship grants voting strength of between one and four votes per country, based on numbers of institutions attending recent championships. To allow for fluctuations in participation due to the financial difference in attending championships nearer or further in succeeding years, nations lose or gain their voting strength gradually.
The current chair of the council and the committee is Xavier Konynenburg from the University of Melbourne.

## Notable controversies
### Thailand WUDC 2020

There was concern over the public debate of Hong Kong in the Open Grand Final motion. This led to walk-outs during the debate, including 30 Chinese students and teachers. After the live-stream, all recordings of the debate were deleted, but the motion was still present on the tabulation software. Many participants had names removed from the public record retroactively once the competition was over. The organizing committee claims this was done to respect participants' privacy and denies pressure from any national body or representative.

### Cape Town WUDC 2019

Accusations of racism were made against members of the organising committee over treatment of participants. On the last day of the competition and just before the Open Grand Final was to begin, an organised protest took place and disrupted the event. Rather than delay the Open Grand Final, speakers and judges were relocated to an undisclosed room and the debate took place in private. This action was the subject of further controversy due to perceived undermining of an anti-racist cause.

### Chennai WUDC 2014

This tournament is notable for several controversies. This included "tracking registration payments, to issues with getting participants visas, allocating hotel rooms, picking participants safely up from the airport, toilet paper disappearing, insufficient food provision, and dangerous dirt bike socials". Discontent among judges who had been offered payment in return for participation resulted in strike threats, jeopardizing the 7th round of the tournament. There were also complaints from Pakistani participants of detention by Indian immigration authorities.

## List of tournaments

| Year | Host city | Hosting institution | Winning institution | Winning open team | Open finalists | Best speaker | Topic of Open Grand Final |
| 2027 | Ottawa, Canada | English Debating Society (UOttawa) & Carleton Undergraduate Debating Society & Canadian University Society for Intercollegiate Debate | | | | | |
| 2026 | Sofia, Bulgaria | Bulgarian Debate Association | | | | | |
| 2025 | Panama City, Panama | Asociación Panameña de Debate | Dartmouth College | Madeleine Wu & Ryan Lafferty | Bates College A, University of Sydney B, Oxford C | Matthew Toomey, University of Sydney | This House supports the shift away from the left-right spectrum in the politics of major democracies. |
| 2024 | Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | FPT University & RMIT University | University of Oxford | Mark Rothery & Aniket Chakravorty | Stanford University A, University of Belgrade A, University of Sydney B | Tejas Subramaniam, Stanford University | This House opposes the norm to prefer the natural to the artificial. |
| 2023 | Madrid, Spain | Universidad Rey Juan Carlos & Universidad Autónoma de Madrid | Ateneo de Manila University | David Africa & Tobi Leung | Princeton University B, Tel Aviv University A, Sofia University A | Hadar Goldberg, Tel Aviv University | This House prefers a world where all individuals have a strong belief in Ubuntu. |
| 2022 | Virtual due to COVID-19 | University of Belgrade | BRAC University | Sajid Asbat Khandaker & Sourodip Paul | Ateneo De Manila University A, Princeton University B, National University of Singapore A | Matt Caito, London School of Economics | This House supports a decline in global reliance on the dollar. |
| 2021 | Virtual due to COVID-19 | Debate Korea | University of Zagreb | Tin Puljić & Lovro Šprem | Ateneo De Manila University 1, London School of Economics B, Ateneo De Manila University 2 | Tin Puljić, University of Zagreb | This House supports the creation of an international court with a mandate to prosecute leaders for health crimes. |
| 2020 | Bangkok, Thailand | Assumption University | University of Oxford | Jason Xiao & Lee Chin Wee | University of Belgrade A, Macquarie University B, Yale University A | Lee Chin Wee, University of Oxford | This House, as China, would grant universal suffrage to Hong Kong. |
| 2019 | Cape Town, South Africa | University of Cape Town | University of Sydney | Bostan Nurlanov & Kevin Lee | Cornell University B, University of Sydney A, University of Zagreb A | James Stratton, University of Sydney | This House believes that the present condition of humanity is preferable to its condition in 100 years time. |
| 2018 | Mexico City, Mexico | Asociación Mexicana de Debate | Harvard University | Danny DeBois & Archie Hall | Princeton University A, Stanford University A, University of Sydney C | Dan Lahav, Tel Aviv University | This House would rather save the life of a single child, over extending the life of 5 adults by 10 years. |
| 2017 | The Hague, Netherlands | Debating Societies of the Netherlands | University of Sydney | Emma Johnstone & James Leeder | Yale University A, Oxford University A, Bates College A | Raffy Marshall, University of Oxford | This House would apply universal jurisdiction to crimes against the environment. |
| 2016 | Thessaloniki, Greece | Debating Society of Greece | Harvard University | Bo Seo & Fanele Mashwama | Hart House A, University of Sydney B, Faculty of Business Economics and Entrepeneurship A | Michael Dunn Goekjian, Faculty of Business Economics and Entrepreneurship, Belgrade | This House believes that the world's poor would be justified in pursuing complete Marxist revolution. |
| 2015 | Shah Alam, Malaysia | Universiti Teknologi MARA | University of Sydney | Nick Chung & Edward Miller | Oxford University A, BPP University A, Harvard University A | Ashish Kumar, University of Cambridge | This House believes that humanitarian organisations should, and should be allowed to, give funding, resources or services to illegal armed groups when this is made a condition for access to vulnerable civilians. |
| 2014 | Chennai, India | Rajalakshmi Engineering College | Harvard University | Josh Zoffer & Ben Sprung-Keyser | University of Sydney B, University of Glasgow A, University of Cambridge B | Eleanor Jones, University of Sydney | This House believes that India should pursue aggressive free market policies. |
| 2013 | Berlin, Germany | Berlin Debating Union | Monash University | Nita Rao & James Beavis | University of Otago A, University of Sydney B, University of Auckland A | Chris Bissett, Monash University & Pam Cohn, University of London | This House would not allow religious communities to expel members on the basis of views or actions that contradict doctrinal teachings. |
| 2012 | Manila, Philippines | De La Salle | Monash University | Kiran Iyer & Amit Golder | Stanford University A, Oxford University B, University of Sydney B | Ben Woolgar, University of Oxford | This House supports nationalism. |
| 2011 | Gaborone, Botswana | University of Botswana | Monash University | Victor Finkel & Fiona Prowse | Oxford University A, University of Sydney A, London School of Economics A | Victor Finkel, Monash University | This House would invade Zimbabwe. |
| 2010 | Istanbul, Turkey | Koç University | University of Sydney | Chris Croke & Steve Hind | Harvard University A, London School of Economics A, Oxford University A | Shengwu Li, University of Oxford | This House believes that the media should show the full horror of war. |
| 2009 | Cork, Ireland | University College Cork | University of Oxford | James Dray & Will Jones | Monash University B, Harvard University A, Oxford University C | Naomi Oreb, University of Sydney | This House would ban abortion. |
| 2008 | Bangkok, Thailand | Assumption University | University of Oxford | Samir Deger-Sen & Lewis Iwu | Monash University, Cambridge University, University of Sydney | Sam Block, University of Cambridge | THB that people who give HIV to others must pay drug support. |
| 2007 | Vancouver, Canada | University of British Columbia | University of Sydney | Julia Bowes & Anna Garsia | University of Queensland A, University of Cambridge C, Oxford University D | Jess Prince, University of Oxford | This House believes that economic growth is the solution to climate change. |
| 2006 | Dublin, Ireland | University College Dublin | Hart House, University of Toronto | Michael Kotrly & Joanna Nairn | Yale University A, Inner Temple, University of Chicago A | Rory Gillis & Beth O'Connor, Yale University | This House would abolish all laws prohibiting cruelty to animals. |
| 2005 | Cyberjaya, Malaysia | Multimedia University | University of Ottawa | Erik Eastaugh & Jamie Furniss | University of Cambridge A, Oxford University D, Hart House B | Kylie Lane, Monash University | This House supports corporal punishment in schools. |
| 2004 | Singapore | Nanyang Technological University | Middle Temple | Alex Deane & Jeremy Brier | University of Sydney A, Singapore Institute of Management A, Inner Temple | Alex Croft, University of Sydney | This House would ban the abortion of fetuses on the grounds of their permanent disability. |
| 2003 | Stellenbosch, South Africa | Stellenbosch University | University of Cambridge | Jack Anderson & Caleb Ward | Monash University B, University of Cambridge A, University of Melbourne A | Wu Meng Tan, University of Cambridge | This House believes that the world has learned nothing from 9/11. |
| 2002 | Toronto, Canada | Hart House, University of Toronto | New York University School of Law | Rob Weekes & Alan Merson | University College Dublin, Monash University A, Durham University B | Ewan Smith, University of Oxford | This House Would ban criminals from publishing accounts of their crimes. |
| 2001 | Glasgow, Scotland | Glasgow University Union | University of Sydney | Greg O'Mahony & Paul Hunyor | University of London, King's Inns, University of Sydney B | Paul Hunyor, University of Sydney | This House would elect its judges. |
| 2000 | Sydney, Australia | University of Sydney | Monash University | Kim Little & Cathy Roussow | University College Dublin, University of Glasgow A, University of La Verne | Andy Kidd, University of Oxford | This House believes Marx would have approved of the internet. |
| 1999 | Manila, Philippines | Ateneo de Manila University | Monash University | Meg O’Sullivan & Andrew Phillips | University of Sydney E, University of Oxford, University of Sydney B | Andy Kidd, University of Oxford | This House believes Netanyahu is the biggest obstacle to peace in Israel. |
| 1998 | Athens, Greece | Deree College | Gray's Inn | Neil Sheldon & Andy George | Oxford University, University of Edinburgh, University of Western Ontario | Neil Sheldon, Gray's Inn | This House believes that humanitarianism is a first world affectation. |
| 1997 | Stellenbosch, South Africa | Stellenbosch University | Glasgow University Union | Andy Hume & Derek Sloan | University of London, Gray's Inn, University of Edinburgh | Andy George, Gray's Inn | This House would legalize all drugs. |
| 1996 | Cork, Ireland | University College Cork | Macquarie University | Fenja Berglund & Ben Way | Middle Temple, University of Sydney, University of Edinburgh | Adam Spencer, University of Sydney | This House believes that strong dictatorship is better than weak democracy. |
| 1995 | Princeton, United States | Princeton University | University of New South Wales | James Hooke & Jeremy Phillips | Oxford University | Chitra Jenardhanan, Nanyang Technological University | |
| 1994 | Melbourne, Australia | Melbourne | Glasgow University Union | Manus Blessing & Duncan Hamilton | Oxford University, Vassar College, University of Auckland | Ben Richards, Monash University | This House believes that Machiavelli is the way to go. |
| 1993 | Oxford, England | Oxford Union Society | Harvard University | David Friedman & David Kennedy | Hart House B, Australian National University A, Macquarie University A | Daniel Mulino, Australian National University | This House would use armed force to make peace. |
| 1992 | Dublin, Ireland | Trinity College Dublin | Glasgow University Union | Robin Marshall & Gordon Peterson | Australian National University, University of Sydney A, University of Sydney B | James Hooke, University of New South Wales & Richard Douglas, Australian National University | Nationalism is a hangover from history. |
| 1991 | Toronto, Canada | Hart House, University of Toronto | McGill University | Chris Wayland & Mona Gupta | Dalhousie University | Steve Bibas, University of Oxford | |
| 1990 | Glasgow, Scotland | Glasgow University Union | Yale University | Matt Wolf & John Wertheim | | | |
| 1989 | Princeton, United States | Princeton University | University of Sydney | Andrew Bell & Warren Lee | Hart House, University of Toronto | John Gastil, Swarthmore College | |
| 1988 | Sydney, Australia | University of Sydney | University of Oxford | Michael Hall & Iain Morley | | Francis Greenslade University of Adelaide | |
| 1987 | Dublin, Ireland | University College Dublin | Glasgow University Union | Kevin Sneader & Austin Lally | | Michael Hall, University of Oxford | |
| 1986 | New York City, United States | Fordham University | University College Cork | Brian Hassett & Siobhán Lankford | | Bruce Meagher, University of Sydney | |
| 1985 | Montreal, Canada | McGill University | King's Inns | Shane Murphy & Damian Crawford | Brown University | Ashley Black, University of Sydney | |
| 1984 | Edinburgh, Scotland | University of Edinburgh | University of Sydney | | Oxford University | David Celermajer, University of Sydney | |
| 1983 | Princeton, United States | Princeton University | Glasgow University Dialectic Society | Frank McKiergan & John Nicholson | University of Auckland | This House would humbly apologise for the American revolution. |
| 1982 | Toronto, Canada | Hart House, University of Toronto | University of Auckland | Stuart Bugg & David Kidd | | Stuart Bugg, University of Auckland | |
| 1981 | Glasgow, Scotland | Glasgow University Union | Hart House, University of Toronto | Steve Coughlan & Andrew Taylor | McGill University | Andrew Taylor, Hart House | This House regrets living in the nuclear age. |

### Trans-Atlantic University Speech Association

| Year | Host city | Hosting institution | Winning institution | Winning open team | Open finalists |
| 1978 | London, England | University of London | Glasgow University Union | | Victoria University of University of Toronto |
| 1977 | Montreal, Canada | McGill University, Loyola College | Colgate University | Matt Morley & Samuel Abady | |
| 1976 | London, England | University of London | Oxford University | | |

### The "HONEYWELL" – World Debating Festival

| Year | Host city | Hosting institution | Winning institution | Winning open team | Open finalists | Best speaker | Topic of Open Grand Final |
| 1978 | Sydney, Australia | University of Sydney | University of Sydney | | University of Oxford | | |

## List of notable alumni

* Stephanos Bibas, U.S. Circuit Court Judge
* Chris Bishop, New Zealand Member of Parliament
* Gerald Butts, Canadian political consultant
* David Celermajer, Australian Cardiologist
* Ted Cruz, U.S. Senator from Texas
* Rajeev Dhavan, Indian human rights activist
* Anna Donald, Australian epidemiologist
* Liam Fox, UK Member of Parliament
* John Gastil, Professor of Political Science
* Stephen Gethins, British Member of Parliament
* Shuman Ghosemajumder, Canadian entrepreneur
* Austan Goolsbee, former Chair of the U.S. Council of Economic Advisers
* Michael Gove, UK Member of Parliament
* Francis Greenslade, Australian comedic actor
* Duncan Hamilton, Scottish Member of Parliament
* Ian Hanomansing, Canadian journalist
* Richard Humphreys, Irish High Court Judge
* Raybon Kan, New Zealand comedian
* Ryan Knowles, Canadian comedian
* Christian Porter, Australian Member of Parliament
* Frank Luntz, U.S. political consultant
* Nicholas Mostyn, British High Court Judge
* Daniel Mulino, Australian Member of Parliament
* Vikram Nair, Singaporean Member of Parliament
* John Nicolson, Scottish Member of Parliament
* Dara Ó Briain, Irish comedian
* Kelly Rees, Australian Supreme Court judge
* Craig Reucassel, Australian comedian
* Sally Rooney, Irish novelist
* Syed Saddiq, Malaysian Member of Parliament
* Bo Seo, Korean-Australian author and journalist
* Kevin Sneader, former global manager partner of McKinsey & Company
* Adam Spencer, Australian comedian
* Wu Meng Tan, Singaporean Member of Parliament
* Peter van Onselen, Australian journalist
* John Wertheim, U.S. politician
* Simon Wolfson, British life peer
* Tara Zahra, U.S. historian