The Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin TD has backed the hosting of the World Universities’ Debating Championships by the Law and Philosophical Societies of University College Cork.

Speaking in University College Cork on Thursday, the Minister said that she was a supporter of University debating and public speaking before speaking of her own time as a University debater.

The Minister was meeting with members of the Organising Committee of the Championships to discuss the backing of her Department for the event after formally opening UCC’s new multi-million euro Library extension. Paul Flynn, Head of Public Sector Partnerships of Cork Worlds 2009 said that it was the depth of organisational experience at UCC that made the University an obvious choice to host the event – the largest academic event in the world – and that organisers hoped that along with existing backers; Cork City Council, Fáilte Ireland and the Irish Examiner; the Department of Education and corporate sponsors would contribute towards Ireland hosting the best World Championships to date.

UCC first won the rights to host the World Championships in Vancouver in January 2007, and this was confirmed earlier this month by unanimous vote of the World Universities Debating Council, in Bangkok, Thailand.