John R. Park Debate Society to Host English Speaking Union's British Debate Team

The John R. Park Debate Society is pleased to host the English Speaking Union’s British National Debate Team this November. The British Team will participate in the 2024 John R. Park Public Debate during their tour of the United States for this Fall. In the spirit of commitment to public dialogue between students from the U.S. and U.K., the two debate programs will debate an issue that emphasizes international relations and resonates with the University of Utah’s commitment to global citizenship. This year’s topic will be national governments’ responsibilities on climate policy and economic growth. This debate will take place from 6:30 to 8:00 pm on November 18th in LNCO 1110, and is free and open to the public. All are encouraged to attend! 
 
The John R. Park Debate Society is collaborating with the National Communication Association’s Committee for International Discussion and Dialogue and The Department of Communication to host The British National Debate Team, selected by the English-Speaking Union.

This year, Laura White and Tom Rattner will represent the English-Speaking Union. 

Laura White is a ‘My Magna Carta’ competition finalist, where she presented a charter for the 21st century. She attended the English Speaking Union’s debating summer school for four years, then, while reading English Literature at Durham University, competed around the UK and at the European University Debating Championships in Zagreb, Croatia. During her competitive debating career, Laura spoke in a number of public debates at the Durham Union alongside academics, politicians, religious leaders, and journalists, winning the Robson Shield for the best speech given at the Durham Union during the 2021-22 academic year. 

Tom Rattner is a law student currently pivoting into the study of journalism keen on exploring the polarizing views of the modern political landscape. During his ten years of debate, Tom has participated, organized, and educated – having run in national and intervarsity competitions, varsity competitions, consolidated his school’s debating society, and run a number of a workshops and outreach programs under the ESU’s multi-disciplinary public speaking and debate banner - the place where he now feels most at home.

Representing the John R. Park Debate Society for the University of Utah are Dulce Santana and Juan Boscan.

Dulce Santana is a junior pursuing a degree in Communication. Prior to competing at the University of Utah, Dulce attended Rio Hondo Community College in Whittier, California where she competed in forensics as well. So far in her first year of competition at the U, Dulce has qualified her prose interpretation for the National Forensics Association national tournament. Additionally, Dulce was selected for the John R. Park Debate Society’s 2024-2025 internship, recognizing her hard work, dedication, and service to forensics.

Juan Boscan is a freshman in his first year of competition for the University of Utah, pursuing a degree in Political Science and Economics. While Juan is new to competitive forensics, prior to joining the John R. Park Debate Society, he competed in Mock Trial and Model United Nations for his high school. In his first season so far, Juan has qualified all of his speech events for the spring National Forensics Association National Tournament and placed first in parliamentary debate (with his partner) at all tournaments he has attended with the event.

The British debaters will visit Utah from November 17th - 19th. During their visit they will tour the University of Utah and Salt Lake City.