Anti-Semitism debate leads to debating society

Publication date: Thursday 26 January 2012

A thought-provoking debate on anti-Semitism at Haringey Civic Centre led to judging-panel member Councillor David Browne, Deputy Mayor of Haringey, offering to help set up a debating society at two of the borough’s schools.

The first annual Haringey schools debate took place between pupils from Highgate Wood and Heartlands High School. It was organised to mark Holocaust Memorial Day 2012.

Also on the panel was Ruby Galili, whose artist husband Moshe is a holocaust survivor and was also present at the event. She and Councillor Browne were joined by Major Rosemary Warne, Deputy Lieutenant of Haringey, and Councillor Sheila Peacock.

The two teams of three faced each other across Haringey’s council chamber, which has seen its fair share of passionate debate over the decades. After discussing the reasons for prejudice and some of the types of discrimination that Jewish people experience they debated different ways of tackling bigotry in whatever form it takes.

The panel was so impressed with the performances of all the participants that the debating trophy was awarded to both schools in a well contested draw, with each getting to keep it for six months.

Councillor Browne is a journalist, broadcaster and media consultant and before becoming a councillor was previously a political programmes producer at the BBC. He said:

The passion of the young people involved was very impressive. I’m keen to help the schools set up a debating society because with coaching and practice they have great potential.

In my professional life I have taken part in many debates and been called upon to do a lot of public speaking. Perhaps if I can help to get this established then the schools can build on its success by involving more schools in Haringey and in other boroughs?

• Holocaust memorial day in the UK is on Friday 27 January 2012.

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