The Institute of Ideas and Pfizer Debating Matters competition is all about encouraging lively debate among sixth form students concerning contemporary issues. It offers an original debating style which focuses on content and ideas rather than rhetoric. This year’s regional final for the London and South region will be held in the London Design Museum on March 4th. Judges will include Mark Easton, home editor at the BBC, Mark Vernon, philosopher and broadcaster, and the Saturday editor of the Times newspaper, George Brock, who will ask students questions and engage them in challenging discussion. This year schools in and around London will be debating issues such as “Happiness should be a key goal of government policy” and “The BBC should not be publicly funded”. Winners stand to win £1000 of vouchers donated by Hodder Murrey, with £500 being awarded to the runner up.

To attend the event contact Helen Birtwistle on helenbirtwistle@instituteofideas.com  tel 020 7269 9232