Welcome to the website announcing Hart House’s bid to host the 2012 World Universities Debating Championship (WUDC) at the University of Toronto. Here you will find information on some of the organizations, people, and venues that will be involved in making the 31st WUDC the best to date.

The Hart House Debating Club (HHDC) is one of the largest and most prestigious debating unions in North America. Hart House debaters have twice won the World Championships (1981 and 2006), are past North American Champions (1993, 1994, 2002, 2005, and 2008) and have won the Canadian National Championships for the past five years (2005-2009). Each year Hart House hosts the (unfortunately named) HHIV, bringing in debaters and judges from America, Canada, and IONA. Hart House has also previously hosted the World Championships in 1982, 1991, and 2002. We are asking for your support in continuing this tradition of excellence.

The Hart House 2012 bid is founded on the institutional memory at Hart House and strong university support of the HHDC. Our bid involves student and staff who have experience in hosting Hart House’s successful 2002 World Championships. We are aided by the staff and resources of the Hart House student centre and the University of Toronto. Our bid also draws on the Toronto’s massive judging pool of local former debaters — many of whom can be found in downtown law firms.

Hart House 2012 promises to bring you the best in organization, fun socials, and amazing quality of judging. We have a dedicated club, a strongly-supportive administration, and an exciting city we’d love to share with you. More information will become available soon, but in the mean time we encourage you to explore our bid.

Jason Rogers
Chief Adjudicator, HH2012

John Ashbourne
President, Hart House Debating Club
Bid Director, HH2012

Erin Fitzgerald
Fundraising Director, HH2012

Monica Ferris
External Relations, HH2012

Victor Platt
President, Hart House Formal Debates Committee

Louise Cowen
Warden, Hart House