Top Five Reasons Why You Should Participate in the International Public Policy Forum

Reason Number Five:

It’s easy.

Participation in the IPPF is simple and fun. Just work with your debate team or English class to prepare and submit a 2,800 word Qualifying Round essay. The IPPF is unlike any other form of debate.  While IPPF bases its topic on the current Policy/Team debate topic for the 2009-10 year, it welcomes debaters from around the world and across the spectrum of debate and forensic events.

 

Reason Number Four:

It’s fair.

All essays submitted during the IPPF competition remain anonymous before the panel of judges. This blinding method prevents judges from adjusting the ranking of an essay due to bias, or simply because it was written by a well-known school. The IPPF provides each school - public and private -an equal chance to compete.

 

Reason Number Three:

It’s unique.

This is not your average debate tournament. The IPPF is the only international debate tournament that combines persuasive essay writing with oral argument. This challenging format is increasingly important now that the SAT includes an essay section.

 

Reason Number Two:

It’s free.

That’s right. There is no entry fee. The only initial requirements are to register for the competition and e-mail your school’s Qualifying Round essay to sem@bickelbrewer.com. Best of all – if your team is one of the eight selected to participate in the finals competition in New York City, the trip is on us! We will pay for airfare to New York City, your accommodations and provide a food and activity stipend. All you have to do is focus on the competition at hand!

 

And….Reason Number One:

It’s rewarding.

The IPPF is the only tournament that provides students with the opportunity to compete before a panel of some of the world’s foremost experts in debate, business, journalism, law and politics. And, the prizes are unlike any other awarded by debate tournaments. The top 32 schools that place in the competition each receive cash awards for their teams. Best of all, the final eight teams receive an all-expense-paid trip to New York City to compete for the $10,000 grand prize and the “Bickel & Brewer Cup!”