ISU Forensics Receives Grant for Widely Attended Event

The defending national champion Illinois State University Forensics Union hosted a special event entitled, "Illinois State University Speaks: US and UN Involvement in Post-Conflict Areas."

With the support of a "People Speak" grant and Communication 110, the Forensics Union presented a public debate in the Communication 110 group exercise format. Held in the Caterpillar Auditorium on Wednesday, October 26, the event attracted over 250 students.

The presentation addressed US/UN relations regarding the U.N. role in post-conflict situations and what obligations the U.S. may or may not have in Iraq. This topic addressed a familiar issue that first year college students can relate to and engage, while widening their breadth and depth of global politics.

The speeches took approximately 18 minutes, with a question and answer follow-up. The panel of speakers consisted of ISU's award-winning Forensic coaches, including Jonathan Carter, Kristyn Meyer, Brandon Wood and Michelle Kelsey, moderated by Michael Graupmann.

By hosting the event, the Forensics Union - in the spirit of the American Democracy Project - was able to secure a modest grant from "The People Speak" organization ( www.thepeoplespeak.org ), which obtains funding from the International Debate Education Association , in conjunction with a nonpartisan coalition of groups including the United Nations Foundation, the American Enterprise Institute, the Brookings Institute and the Open Society Institute.