Mayo winners in JCI European Debating Championship

WE all love a good argument and two Mayo people have proved themselves very good at it!

Two of the three-strong Ireland team who travelled to Tampere, Finland, for the JCI European Conference, where they were crowned debating champions of Europe, are from Mayo.

Captain Adrian Corcoran and speaker Keira Keogh, both past presidents of JCI Mayo, and Sara Gilligan, a member of JCI Galway, made up the winning team.

The conference brings together about 2,000 18- to 40-year-olds from across Europe to discuss ways of improving their communities, businesses and to develop their own talents.

Eight countries took part in the debating championship.

In the first round, Ireland met Finland with the tongue-in-cheek topic of 'Women are better on top'. Ireland were proposing the motion and won the round.

Next up they met Belgium with the topic 'Technology discourages creativity and ingenuity in the workplace'. Ireland were opposing this motion and although it was a closer debate, they came through to secure their place in the final.

Up against Scotland in the final, Ireland had to oppose the motion that 'This house believes that world peace is possible'.

After being announced winners, Ireand team captain Adrian Corcoran commented: “I am delighted and proud to have won this award. Myself and Keira first debated only two years ago, and we have worked hard to get better at debating and win this competition.”

Keira added: “We have been asked to visit some of the European countries and deliver training to them, so that’s an exciting opportunity.”

Both thanked Maire Garvey of Westport Toastmasters Club, who has delivered training to JCI Mayo members and from whom they have learned valuable public speaking and debating skills.

JCI Mayo regularly run public speaking, debating and other self-development workshops in Mayo. If you are the kind of person who wants to get out there, improve yourself and do something positive, then why not enquire with them about their next training event by emailing info@jcimayo.ie.