Celebrating a long tradition of intergenerational connection and intellectual spirit, the Hart House Student Debates & Dialogue Committee and the Hart House Debating Club are delighted to host the 2022 iteration of the historic Alumni Debate at Hart House.
Overview
This year, we are excited to resume the virtual delivery method to expand access to even more alumni and University of Toronto community members around the globe, as we feature two prominent alumni debaters with stellar academic and professional backgrounds. Their teams will be completed by two current Hart House student debaters who will be representing the University at the upcoming World University Debating Championships.
We invite you to join us as cherished alumni, students, and members of the Hart House community to reminisce and reconnect, while celebrating the spirit of lively debate that has played a defining role in the educational experiences of many.
About
2022 Motion: This House Believes That Academic Credentials Are The Stamp of Societal Expertise
The chosen motion for this year's Alumni Debate intends to capture that ongoing ideological debate about whether perceived expertise in various facets of social life can be inferred simply from impressive academic credentials.
As life is increasingly defined by crises and our current recovery efforts, the world has come to appreciate the invaluable role of scientists, doctors, and paramedics, among others – professions with clear academic prerequisites – whilst at the same time applauding local, grassroots heroes and activists who have endeavoured to help their communities and advance social justice regardless of their academic backgrounds.
As is custom, the winners of the Alumni Debate will be determined based on an audience vote. However, before this is conducted, all audience members are given a wonderful opportunity to deliver a floor speech – an attempt to persuade and convince their fellow audience members to vote for one side over another. With a vibrant evening sure to be had, make sure to bring an open mind and your spirit of camaraderie!
Chair
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Saara Meghji
3rd-year Student, Political Science, Contemporary Asian Studies and History
Saara Meghji is a third-year student at the University of Toronto, pursuing a degree in Political Science, Contemporary Asian Studies and History. She has been involved with competitive debate for seven years; she attended the World Championships last summer, is a former member of Canada's National Debate Team and is the sitting President of the Hart House Debating Club.
She is very excited to be chairing this debate!
Speakers
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Government 1Aaron Rousseau
Lawyer, Employment Law & Workplace Advocacy
Aaron Rousseau is an employment lawyer. As a student, he was Secretary (President) of the Hart House Debates Committee and was one of the organizers of the 2002 World Debating Championships at Hart House. As a debater, he won both the North American and National Championships (alongside Rory McKeown).
He is the founder and managing partner of Rousseau Mazzuca LLP, a nine-lawyer firm in Toronto. He has been called upon as a commentator on employment law issues by The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, the CBC, and CTV. He has also lectured on the topic at York University. He received his BA in Peace and Conflict Studies and his JD at the University of Toronto.
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Opposition 1Rory McKeown
Admissions and International Student Advisor
Dr. Roderick McKeown, or Rory, as he is known to everyone but HR professionals and telemarketers, debated briefly in high school before comitting fully in undergraduate. This may have had something to do with how plays and musicals were cast at U of T in the late 1990s, but that's a story for another time. He was heavily involved in the Hart House Debates Committee (as it was then known), the Hart House Debating Club executive, and the organization committee for the World Universities Championship in 2001-2.
After his BA (UC 2002) he went on to graduate studies in English literature, and continued to debate, and to volunteer his time as a judge at Hart House and local high schools. He also raised funds when Hart House hosted the North American Championship, and lent his services to smaller schools to develop their judging pools.
He has taught and published in the field of early modern English literature, particularly drama, but works primarily in academic administration. Despite holding two degrees from the University of Toronto, he maintains he learned more at Hart House than in any classroom or library.
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Government 2Tanvir Shahriar
4th-year Student, Computer Engineering
Tanvir Shahriar is a fourth-year student at the University of Toronto pursuing a degree in Computer Engineering. Since joining competitive debate last academic year they have gone on to break as a judge at premier tournaments including Korea Worlds 2021, Shanghai-Hanoi ABP 2021 & the HWS IV. As a speaker, they have made out rounds or finals at the UOttawa Guindon Cup, Southampton ProAm and Doxbridge Worlds.
Tanvir is looking forward to representing Hart House at Belgrade Worlds 2022 alongside their partner, Adam.
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Opposition 2Adam Banihani
2nd-year Student, Public Policy and Contemporary Asian Studies
Adam Banihani is a second-year student at the University of Toronto pursuing a degree in Public Policy and Contemporary Asian Studies. Whilst his tenure in debate hasn’t been extensive, his accomplishments have included making open rounds or finals at tournaments such as Doxbridge Worlds, the Meta IV and the Birmingham open.
Adam will also be representing Hart House at the World Universities Debating Championships this summer alongside his partner, Tanvir.
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