women cannot solve the world's problems alone.

As part of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the women's suffrage movement in Bermuda, two teams debated the issue in the Cathedral Hall this week.

The proposition "Do women have the answers to the world's problems'' was lost on a vote by an audience, including some of Bermuda's top politicians.

And the audience applauded each speech by the youngsters who may represent Bermuda in the world championships in New Zealand in August. Supporting the proposition were Stacey Branum and Selina Mello, of Saltus School, and Charlie Sousa of Mount St. Agnes.

In opposition were Rachael Barritt of Saltus, Sarah Carr of Bermuda High School and Edmund Robinson of Bermuda College. Time keeper was Chen Foley of Warwick Academy.

Making the proposition Stacey Branum claimed women would be better at finding solutions to problems like war, the environment and the breakdown of families.

He said men tended to create more problems in attempts to solve problems, adding: "In the schoolyard boys turn to violence, girls do not. It is funny how few wars are started by women. Wars are not a solution but one of the problems.'' Opposition leader Rachael Barritt summed up the opposite argument in her first sentence: "It is foolish to assume that one sex has answers to all the world's problems.'' Miss Barritt continued to ask the question: "Are men all that bad?'' and pointed out that both sexes have their own different qualities.

Each speaker was given eight minutes to put over their argument and then a three minute rebuttal. At the end the audience voted in favour of the opposition argument.

The meeting was opened by Dr. Marjorie Bean, of the Business and Professional Women's Association who is heading the committee for the 50th Anniversary of Women's Suffrage in Bermuda.

Dr. Bean said the debate was one of the most important parts of the 50th celebrations.

And it was also an opportunity for people to see the standard of the debaters who will be representing Bermuda in August.

Miss Virgo said: "Our debaters are already better than the last time we went to the championships in 1993, when we won our first debate.''