Naoki Takaki (TD,2018)

Hello everyone! 

Welcome to Kyushu Debate Open2019!

This is Naoki Takaki, the tournament director of Kyushu Debate Open 2018.

I really thank you for your continuous support to our tournament. Kyushu Debate Open has developed to one of the most popular tournaments within 6 years. 

In last year, our tournament became the FIRST INTERNATIONAL DEBATE TOURNAMENT IN THE WORLD to fully commit to SDGs.  We believe that this tournament provides the opportunity for debaters to improve debating skills, and learn about, and act based on Sustainable Development Goals. 

In addition, Fukuoka has developed a unique and interesting food culture. So you can find many delicious foods such as Hakata ramen, yakitori, motsunabe（offal）hotpot and so on. We hope you enjoy the tournament and stay in Fukuoka.

Ronghao Tang (TD, 2017)

Hi, everyone!

This is Ronghao Tang, the Tournament Director of Kyushu Debate Open 2017.

First, thank you for your continuous support to our tournament, we are looking forward to seeing you in Kyushu this summer very much. Kyushu Debate Open, also called ‘QDO’, is an annual competition hold at Ito campus of Kyushu University open for both domestic and international debating societies, in British Parliamentary format.

Our main purpose is to provide an opportunity for debaters to improve their logical thinking ability, English ability and communication ability through competition. This also contributes to cultivating skills for those who can become "global citizens" in the future. Our tournament also plays a vital role in Kyushu Area, including Kyushu University.

Our tournament was first organized in 2014 with 43 participants, with 3 from overseas. This number has grown to more than 120 participants, including 27 oversea participators in 2 years.

We believe it will be a great opportunity for you to communicate and exchange your experiences with foreign debaters and enjoy the sightseeing in Fukuoka.

Hope to see you this summer.

Ronghao Tang

School of Dentistry, Kyushu University

Mizuki kitada (TD, 2016)

There is one thing that I would like to share with you. I hope you’ll do your best to debate, enjoy the tournament and getting to know other participants.

When I was a first-year student at college, the first Kyushu Cup (current QDO) was held. It has been 6 years since then. QDO adjusted its purpose and activities little by little, year by year. Now, QDO has diversified yet ambitious purposes: for the younger generation, for education through debate, for the spread of debate and for the world we inhabit.

What I hope for all participants is to achieve all these goals together with us by doing your utmost in QDO 2019. To debaters who have just started debating, I believe that you will find your role model in the world of debate who will inspire and lead you. 

Enjoy the tournament and have fun. Thank you!

Kenji Tomita (TD, 2014,2015)

Dear participants,

Welcome to Kyushu Debate Open 2019!

Kyushu Debate Open - formerly known as ''Kyushu Cup'' until 2016 - is first ever and only international level BP-style annually-held debating tournament in Japan.

It was first designed to be an event that would improve ''access'' to join a tournament for debaters in Kyushu area - which is geographically isolated from debating community in other area in Japan - as well as attracting debaters and adjudicators not only in Japan but also from all over the world to come to Fukuoka which is one of the hottest, exciting and growing cities in Asia. Each year, the tournament is becoming more and more international.

Thanks to continuous supports from everyone involved: university, governments, sponsors, and of course debating communities, the tournament have been growing. This year, we can mark 5th anniversary and host 6th edition of the tournament.    

Debating is not about taking the others down, but about contemplating the issues and bringing these up for social discussions. Since last year, we are trying to make the tournament as a place for think about global challenges which we are facing. QDO is the first-ever debating tournament actively committing UN-led SDG(Sustainable Development Goals) agendas. We also have an academic conference for debating educations in debate 2.0 era. 

We hope this would be a great opportunity for every participants.

Enjoy the tournament, interaction with other debaters form different countries, local food and activities in Fukuoka!

Kenji Tomita

Kyushu Cup 2014, 2015  Tournament Director