"Debating helps you develop your analytical and critical skills" - Iurii Piunov, ECO

May 14, 2015

At 21 years old, Iurii Piunov, a senior student in economics, is well-known for his talent as a debater at the American University of Central Asia. 

Since he joined the AUCA debate club “Eloquent Crew” in 2011, Iura has participated in many local and international tournaments. With his debate team, he won the 1^st place in the tournament “Debates of the Open Society” broadcasted on the national television. Former president of the debate club, he worked as trainer in the Bishkek Debate Center and now an active participant of the debates organized by the International Debate Association in Bishkek (IDEA).

“Debating is not only about discussing certain issues,” he says, “it helps you develop your analytical and critical skills.” For him, the AUCA debate club is more than just an extracurricular activity, it is an integral part of his student life.

 

Among the variety of AUCA student’s clubs, why did you choose the debate club?

I was surprised by the number of clubs at the university. At first, I didn’t know what to choose, so I attended the first meetings of almost all clubs that seemed interesting. I decided to concentrate on the debate club “Eloquent Crew” to learn something new.

 

What do you remember from your very first debate?

I was still at school when I first participated in a debate. I remember the resolution very well. It was about education and the issue of racketeering in schools. My team won the first place. It was so unexpected and easy that I lost interest. But at the university, the level of debates is higher than in secondary schools. My first debate at the university was about the legalization of prostitution. Our team was opposed to legalization. I had positive comments from the judges who thought I was pretty good for a beginner but I was not fully satisfied. I wanted to become better and joined the AUCA debate club.

 

How do you prepare for debates?

It depends of the type of debate. For instance, in international debates, participants learn about the resolutions only fifteen minutes before the debate starts. And debaters can only rely on their previous knowledge. Our local tournaments are a bit different. The resolution is usually given one week in advance, sometimes even before. Every self-respecting debater should regularly read books and follow the news. As soon as I know the theme of a debate, I try to learn as much as possible about it. 

 

What are the international debate tournaments you participated in?

With a team of three students from AUCA, I participated in 2012 to the debate tournament in Moscow called “Moscow open”. It was my first international tournament. We didn’t win but we learned a lot from professional debaters. When I was an exchange student at Bard College, I attended the Bard Debate Union and participated in many tournaments. One of the biggest tournaments was in Yale University.

 

How do you manage your time between the debate club and you studies?

It can be really difficult but I don’t think about it too much. I just tried to do everything in time. I think if a person likes what he or she does then there is always a way to find time.

 

What if there was no debate club at AUCA…

Mmmh, maybe I would create one debate club.

 

Do you have any advice for students who would like to join the debate club but might lack confidence?

Don’t be afraid! Everyone, absolutely everyone, can become a convincing speaker. If you really want to debate, then you will.

 

The article was originally written by Sezim Altynbek kyzy for the course on Effective Storytelling from the JMC department.

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