Organisers happy with campus debate
InSite, the student body that organised Monday's debate among the four party leaders on campus, yesterday described the event as highly successful because it managed to rouse interest and generate enthusiasm amongst the student body.
It said it did not hold itself responsible for the rowdy behaviour of segments of the crowd and such behaviour was not indicative of the entire student population.
InSite also specified that there was no "manoeuvring" on its part and that it retained an independent and balanced stand.
"As a student organisation, we have all been overwhelmed by the massive turnout, particularly rare for any event held on campus, and are pleased at having sparked off so much debate and interest in University students, so often condemned as being apathetic and severely lacking in terms of pro-activism," it said.
"We gave students a debate which the media said was turned into a rally.
This shows a lack of exposure to a debating culture. InSite believes that its event was a sterling occasion for the start of a new mentality as regards political campaigning. It had the four party leaders together for possibly the only time during this campaign. The interest this generated is indicative as to the need for more of this kind of events. In addition, the timed system has given all the speakers an equal share of the time to answer questions, which is also a first."
The organisation thanked the four party leaders for attending and for respecting the format of the debate at all times. It also thanked all those who helped make the event possible.
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Victor Laiviera
Feb 21st 2008, 08:42
Robert Aquilina has a patchy memory. He remembers that, in 1996, Labour reformed the stipends. He does not remember, apparently, that in 1998 the PN promised "stipendji sħaħ" and reneged on that promise. Neither does he remember that, in 2005, the PN reduced the stipends by another 27%.
stephen BAldacchino
Feb 20th 2008, 23:24
I would like to remind you that the P.N government changed the stipends but it was not mentioned.WHY ? I don't know, But I think you have a feeling Why.So lets stop playing with words and lets hope that University Students don't act again in this way towards people who have a certain position in our country if you want to be treated well by them when they are in power.
Robert Aquilina
Feb 20th 2008, 18:05
May I remind the people that are upset regarding the campus debate, that this debate was open to all students and not just to students that simpatise with the PN. On the other hand Dr Gonzi was invited to such a debate like all the others and did not have any authority or obligation to stop anyone in the crowd. As for the comment of Mr. Baldacchino, may I remind him that it might be true that maybe it was the labour government that introduce the stipend's at University but it was also the labour government that when elected in 1996 decided to change the stipends into a loan insted, and after all although most of the students where not born at that time History is there for everyone to read. My comment to InSite is well done for the debate and that this is the way that politics should be addressed in the future.
Stephen Baldacchino
Feb 20th 2008, 10:39
Just a little comment to all the students that attanded the PN rally at the university. Firstly you should be ashamed to treat such personality like that. Secondly, for you to know as you were't even born at the time: That a Labour Goverment gave you students the stipend that you are having today which makes all local university students the only ones in the EU if not the world to be paid to study.
So next time get informed before you start ridiculing other persons especialy if these persons could be your next prime minister.