University of Western Ontario Debating Society

The University of Western Ontario Debating Society is the oldest student association at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada. It was originally part of the student union at the university, and was separated in 1915 and named "The New Areopagus of Western University", after the supreme tribunal of Athens. It was given its present name in the 1950s. Today, the Society competes internationally and is one of the founding members of CUSID, the Canadian University Society for Intercollegiate Debate.

The Society is located in University College at the University of Western Ontario. Although sponsored by the university, its activities, including all hosted tournaments, national and international debates, are entirely student-run. Its executive committee is elected annually by the membership, and consists of a President, six Vice Presidents, and a Tournament Director. It was for many years the annual home of the Central Canadian Novice Debating Championship and is the originator of the North American Open Championship.

Competitive standing

From 1994-1997, the Society was ranked the #1 competitive debating society in North America, on the basis of winning more major awards than any other team in the United States or Canada. Titles held by members of the Society include the North American Debating Championship, the Canadian National Debating Championship, the Central Canadian Debating Championship, the North American Public Speaking Championship, and the World Public Speaking Championship.

Notable alumni

The Society's past members include many of the world's most successful intervarsity debaters and public speakers, including many National, North American, and World Champions. Its membership has also produced more CUSID Presidents than any other debating society in the last twenty years.