Some of Bermuda's brightest minds from senior schools around the Island will practice the skill of debate in a competition running over the next two weeks.

The competition is being put on by the Bermuda Debate Society, a nonprofit organisation that promotes debate among the Island's pupils.

The first four rounds are taking place at CedarBridge Academy and The Bermuda High School this week, with the final round being held from 5.30 to 7.30 p.m. on March 3.

It will be held at the Bermuda Musical and Dramatic Society's Daylesford Theatre.

Yesterday, the four competing teams from Warwick Academy, Saltus Grammar School, CedarBridge Academy and The Bermuda High School gathered at CedarBridge Academy for the first two rounds of the competition.

Round one will be impromptu, meaning teams will receive the debate motion during the competition and have one hour to prepare their cases before debating in front of the judges.

In round two, the motion was given to the teams weeks in advance, giving them ample time to prepare their arguments on the topic, "whether or not this House would use affirmative action in response to historic injustice".

The teams will reconvene tomorrow afternoon at The Bermuda High School to debate another impromptu motion before debating the same prepared motion from the second round against different opponents.

Jennifer Haworth, President of the Bermuda Debate Society said: "Following the success of last year's competition, we are very excited to host the second annual Bermuda Schools Debate Competition.

"We realised that there was both a need and a desire for more debating activity throughout the year.

"This competition gives the students of Bermuda another chance to hone their persuasive skills and confidence while interacting with peers from other schools."

The final motion of the competition will be: "This House believes that the United States should promote democracy worldwide."

It will be debated by the two finalist teams from the previous four rounds and all are welcome to attend.

For more information on the competition, e-mail jhaworth@logic.bm.