this year's World Schools Debate Championships in South Africa.

Representatives from Warwick Academy, CedarBridge, Bermuda High School and Saltus have been training since December of last year for the challenge.

Opposing Bermuda's best will be veteran debaters from America, the UK and Canada and 30 other nations.

The competition, attended by 34 countries, runs from January 29 to February 7.

Bermuda's team will have eight debates in the preliminary round -- four of those eight will be impromptu, giving the students just one hour to prepare before the debate.

The four planned debates will be: This house believes that affluent nations should accept more refugees, arguing as pro.

This house believes that gay couples should be allowed to adopt children, arguing as opposition.

This house believes that we should cancel Third World debt, arguing as opposition.

This house believes to waive patent right for AIDS drugs for developed countries, arguing as pro.

Head coach Gladstone Thompson, Southampton Glebe principal, said: "This is an opportunity for the students to analyse and synthesise information.

"To analyse it and verbalise their point of view is critical in the global market.'' Coach and travelling chaperone Linda Parker added: "This is an opportunity to meet people from all over the world and make life long friends.

"To learn about different cultures and experience what it's like to debate at a world level -- it will certainly broaden horizons.'' The debating team must pass the preliminary rounds before advancing to the Octo-finals, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals and the Final round of competition.

The entire expedition is paid for by local sponsors including MP John Barritt.

Team members include Jonathan Suter and Christine Mayor of Warwick Academy, Zahra Muhammad of CedarBridge Academy and Aziz Ahad and Christie Hunter from BHS. Reserve team members Erica Lipschultz and Sarita Ebbin, both from Saltus Grammar School, will not travel with the team but were extensively involved with training.

Warwick Academy teachers endorse Jonathan and Christine's move towards international competition.

Both students are accomplished musicians and "perfection achievers who are held in high regard among staff and students'' said one counsellor.

Also travelling with the team will be Bermuda College senior lecturer, Mary Murray, to serve in the Championships as a judge.