Debate teams from around the world entered the 2017-18 International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) competition, but only 16 remain – including Greenwich High School.
Sponsored by the Brewer Foundation and New York University, the IPPF is the first and only competition that gives high school students from around the world the opportunity to engage in written and oral debates on issues of public policy.
This year, teams submitted qualifying round essays affirming or negating the IPPF topic, “Resolved: International climate accords for greenhouse gas emissions should adopt binding enforcement mechanisms.” Those essays were reviewed by a committee, which determined the top 64 teams based on the overall quality of each 2,800-word essay.
“These students have demonstrated a command of a very complex and timely topic,” says William A. Brewer III, partner at Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors and a founder of the IPPF. “The remaining 16 teams are now competing for the chance to debate this issue on a global stage in New York City.”
If the school advances this round, the team will win an all-expenses-paid trip to the IPPF Finals in New York City on April 21.
In November, the top 64 teams began a single-elimination, written debate competition. Each team was assigned a position (affirmative or negative) and then volleyed papers back and forth with another team via email for the next six weeks. A panel of judges reviewed the essays in the order they were presented and selected the winning teams.
In the “Round of 64,” Greenwich High School advanced over Unionville High School from Kennett Square, Pa. In the “Top 32” round, Greenwich High School advanced over Scottsdale Preparatory Academy from Scottsdale, Ari.
The “Sweet 16” round is now underway. Greenwich High School is competing against East Mountain High School from Sandia Park, N.M. The top 16 teams represent schools from 10 U.S. states and China, Slovakia and Taiwan.
On March 21, the “Elite 8” teams will be announced. Those teams will travel to New York City on an all-expenses-paid trip to the IPPF Finals in New York City. The Finals will take place on April 21, at the Harold Pratt House.
The IPPF Finals give students the opportunity to participate in oral debates in front of some of the world’s foremost experts in debate, business, law and politics. The winning team will take home the “Brewer Cup” and a $10,000 grand prize.
