The partnership of the UP Debate Society and the Philippine Daily Inquirer started in 2002, when the Inquirer launched its Youth Readership Campaign. The UPDS and PDI have hosted the tournament for the past two years, with more than three hundred students from all over the Philippines participating in the tournament. The IIDC’s aim is not only to promote parliamentary debating all over the Philippines but more importantly, to develop the youth’s skills in critical thinking, analysis of current issues and the ability to effectively communicate their ideas.

Unlike most other youth-oriented or youth-targeted projects, the IIDC combines the intellectual rigors of a debate competition with a climate of wit, humor and irreverence. Because the IIDC is hosted annually by UPDS and PDI, the tournament has acquired a distinct identity among debaters in the Philippines with its brand of strong social awareness coupled with prizes, contests for giveaways of materials given by sponsors, and a hip party to ease away the stress of competition at the end of the day. Last year’s IIDC featured quirky yet socially relevant topics to debaters such as the World Health Organization’s campaign against softdrinks and the rights of sidewalk kwek-kwek and fishball vendors in the face of Bayani Fernando’s wrath. Alongside serious discussions about the Middle East, globalization and the role of foreign institutions in our educational system were a party at Mazzo in Libis and a public speaking competition to give the participants a chance to relax by listening to witty speeches about everything from fairy tales to the war on terror. Only rarely can one event capture so many disparate elements, from game-show to classroom to MTV, pull it off consistently and attract ever more participants each year. This is because the driving force behind the IIDC is a very attractive concept - that the youth can still remain youthful, energetic and fun-loving even while pursuing their concerns about global warming, charter change and weapons of mass destruction.

Tournament Date: January 30 – February 3, 2004 (Friday to Tuesday)
Venue: University of the Philippines, Diliman
Hosts: Philippine Daily Inquirer and University of the Philippines Debate Society
Format: Asian Parliamentary Format
Number of Teams: Maximum of six teams per institution, follows the n-1 rule for adjudicators
Breaking Cap: None
Accommodations: The organizers are looking for partner hotels that would sponsor or subsidize accommodations to lessen the costs for provincial schools. Moreover, subsidized breakfasts and dinners are also being negotiated to enhance the tournament experience of the participants.
Registration Fee: PhP 1,000 per person (inclusive of lunch, opening dinner, break night party, championship dinner, tournament kits and other giveaways)
Pre-Registration: Pre-registration will run from October 1 to November 30, 2003. Pre-registration costs PhP 200 per individual. Discounts will be given to the first ten institutions that will pre-register. No refunds.
Chief Adjudicator: Diane Desierto, UP Debate Society Alumna, UP Law Union
Tournament Director: Nicole Curato (0917.8965013)
Communications Director: Katrina Macapagal (0917.4290950)