Doha Debates accepts invitation to travel to India
Sunday, February 07 2010
The Doha Debates are to travel for the first time to India this month, after accepting an invitation to stage a special session at St. Stephen's College, Delhi University.
The debate - expected to deal with controversial minority issues - will be televised from St Stephen's College, renowned internationally for educating some of India's most influential figures.
Debates' Chairman Tim Sebastian said he was excited at the chance to debate in such an important capital. "India's reach and influence seem set to increase dramatically this century. We hope to raise issues that will be crucial to its development and its place in the world."
Reverend Valson Thampu, Principal of St. Stephen's College, welcomed the Debates to India and the opportunity for his students to be ambassadors for their country.
"The Doha Debates have established a fine reputation as a forum that gives a fair hearing to both sides, applying equal pressure and giving equal time. We are looking forward to hosting them and are delighted that they have accepted our invitation," he said.
It is the fourth time that the Debates have been hosted outside Qatar. Previous sessions were staged last year at Georgetown University in Washington DC and at the Oxford and Cambridge Unions in the UK in 2007.
A small group of students, based in Qatar and representing a selection of high schools and universities, will attend the debate in Delhi and visit a number of educational institutions.
