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St. Maarten News – The Hyacinth Richardson Educational Awareness Foundation hosts the 44th annual Leeward Islands Debating Competition (LIDC) at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort from Thursday until Sunday.

The debating teams are from Antigua, Montserrat, the British Virgin Islands, St. Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla and of course St. Maarten.

The teams of Antigua and Montserrat open the competition on Thursday evening. They debate the following proposition: “Legislatively removing corporal punishment will be detrimental to Caribbean children.”

On Friday there are two debates. The BVI faces St. Kitts about the proposition “The free movement of CARICOM nationals is a net positive for the Caribbean region.”

In debate number three, St. Maarten takes on Nevis about this issue: “The illegal drug trade has undermined the legitimacy and effectiveness of Caribbean governments.”

On Saturday the winner of Antigua vs. Montserrat faces the winner of BVI vs. St Kitts about another interesting topic: “The popularity of skin lightning is testament to the racism/colorism that plagues Caribbean society.”

Next, the team from Anguilla faces the winner of St. Maarten vs. Nevis about the topic: “The Caribbean are not doing enough to combat child abuse.”

The winners of Saturday’s debates face off in the final in Sunday. Then they have to make their point about this issue: “The marginalization of men has led to the breakdown of Caribbean society.”

The debates aim to help young people in their personal growth and to equip them with skills that will be useful to them in their future professional careers. Each year a different island hosts the competition and the LIDC Alliance contributes to the overall economy and tourism of the host country, the Hyacinth Richardson Foundation said in a press release.

Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York and the LIDC foundation will host the finalists of the competition for a weekend exhibition debate at the end of next month. Milton Lawrence will be present at the debates in St. Maarten as an observer on behalf of the Medgar Evers College.