French Debating Association

Created in 1994, the French Debating Association welcomes debaters from several universities and Grandes Ecoles. The FDA debating style - inspired by the rules and procedures of the House of Commons – involves two teams of five speakers : the Government and the Opposition who debate on a given motion and speak consecutively. Each speaker has 6 minutes to give spirited arguments and show wit and humour in order to escape the rhetorical traps set by the members of the opposing team. As the debate goes along, improvisation gains ground. Each team tries to win the crowd over but must also convince the members of the jury by the strength of its arguments, its rhetorical flourish and its « je-ne-sais-quoi », the Star Quality that has become so emblematic of the Paris V style. Their wit is challenged by motions as diverse as « This House Believes that Passion is a Threat to Society », or « Democracy is Hypocrisy » and even « Housewives are Desperate »!