few of the principles the World Schools' Debating Championships exists to promote.

And for Australian-born founder Christopher Erskine, the tourney, now in its ninth year, has been the fulfilment of a long time dream that began when he was a champion student debater.

His New South Wales team won the Australian School's championships nearly 20 years ago.

Now a barrister in Canberra, Mr. Erskine is happy with the progress of the event and the standard of the participants.

"I began to think about it because Australia often picked a national team but they never have much to do,'' he said. "But around the time of the bicentennial celebrating European settlement in Australia there was plenty of money floating around so we received good support.

"We had six teams at the beginning. Now we have over 30 last year. I would estimate that there have been between 15 to 20 teams each year because not all the countries that want to come are able to do so.'' Mr. Erskine said next year's debate championships will be held in Israel.

And the continued growth of the tournament seems assured because interest has been shown from countries such as Jordan, Portugal, India and Greece.

"Bermuda has been the most different of all the places that have hosted this tournament,'' he said. "Its small size and population means that there is a greater sense of community here than if it was held in a larger city.

"The host families have been just incredible and so far all the kids have had a fantastic time.

"For each event the audience has been good, the people are friendly and the organisers have everything ticking over.'' EDUCATION ED