School debate final to tackle Rwanda genocide

Ten years after the Rwandan genocide, Northern Ireland teenagers are gathering to debate whether or not the world has learned the lessons of the Holocaust.

The debate is the set-piece grand final of Amnesty International’s school debating competition, which is due to take place in Belfast City Hall’s prestigious council chamber on Wednesday.

Twenty-four schools have competed over the last six months for a place in the final. However, it will be pupils from Lagan College, Belfast and St Patrick’s College, Bearnageeha, Belfast who meet in this week's final.

Fiona Murphy of Amnesty International, who organised the debating competition, said: “The aim of the schools debating competition has been to promote greater understanding of the human rights challenges in the world today.

“Scores of debates have taken place in schools throughout Northern Ireland in the run-up to the final. Students have debated motions on subjects such as the arms trade, the use of torture and racism. The standard of debate has been fantastically high – and all of the young people have been winners.”

“It is timely that ten years after the Rwandan genocide and one year after the Iraq war, that we should debate issues of war, genocide and justice.”

Expert judges for the final will include Lady Christine Eames of the NI Human Rights Commission and Belfast Lord Mayor Martin Morgan.

The debating competition is part of a series of human rights education initiatives organised by Amnesty International in Northern Ireland for schools and young people.

The final debate motion is: 'This House believes that the world has not learned the lessons of the Holocaust'.

(MB)