2005 ConocoPhillips World Schools Debating Championships Declares Winner.

CALGARY, Alberta -- After eight days of fierce intellectual competition Australia has won the 2005 ConocoPhillips World Schools Debating Championships. Australia defeated England by a score of 5 to 2 in the Grand Final debate held this afternoon before more than (number) enthusiastic debating fans. The two teams debated the resolution. "This House believes that permanent members of the United Nations Security Council should not have veto power."

The 17th World Championships brought together 150 high school debaters from 31 countries. "The Grand Final matched two top teams of exceptionally gifted students," said John Baty of Canada, the Chief Adjudicator. "The level of competition and the skills of all the debaters were world class."

A total of 140 matches were staged at more than 40 schools throughout the Calgary area during the Championships which ran from February 11-18. "The Championships provided the opportunity for students from as far away as Singapore, Sri Lanka and Indonesia to experience the excitement, dynamism and culture of Calgary," said Ron Lee, World Convener, 2005 ConocoPhillips World Schools Debating Championships, and a teacher at Forest Lawn High School in Calgary. "It also gave thousands of Calgary students the opportunity to witness top flight international debate competition."

The top 16 countries qualified for the final elimination rounds including Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, Ireland, Argentina, Canada, England, New Zealand, Slovenia, Kuwait, Greece, Hong Kong, Wales, Scotland, Singapore and the United States.

Australia versus the United States, South Africa versus England, Pakistan versus Canada and Argentina versus Ireland squared off in the quarter finals and in semi-final matches Australia defeated Argentina and England defeated Pakistan to advance to today's Grand Final.

175 dedicated volunteers worked countless hours to prepare for and host the championships. "On behalf of the organizing committee I'd like to thank the volunteers, sponsors, partners and supporters who helped make our event so successful." said David Tupper, volunteer Chairman, 2005 ConocoPhillips World Schools Debating Championships, and partner at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP."

"ConocoPhillips is proud to have been associated with such a talented group of participants and organizers," said Henry Sykes, President, ConocoPhillips Canada. "Over the past eight days we have witnessed debating skills from some of the brightest young minds in the world."

The 2005 ConocoPhillips World Schools Debating Championships provides a forum for students, teachers, parents, business, community groups, volunteer associations, international debate organizations, educational institutions and three levels of government to discuss current issues in a spirit of cooperation through the eyes of young world citizens. Teams are made up of five students or less, under the age of 18 who are in full time education in their home country. Students debate political, moral and social issues in lively and fierce debates conducted in English.

The 2006 World Schools Debating Championships will be held in Cardiff, Wales from July 5 to 15.

Major sponsors for the 2005 ConocoPhillips World Schools Debating
 Championships include:

- Alberta Lottery Fund
- Department of Aboriginal Affairs, Government of Alberta
- Alberta Education
- Bennett Jones
- Blake, Cassels & Graydon, LLP
- CIBC
- Calgary Board of Education
- Calgary Catholic School District
- Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.
- City of Calgary
- Coast Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre
- ConocoPhillips Canada
- EducationMatters (formerly CBE Foundation)
- Enbridge Inc.
- Nexen Inc.
- Norman Leach & Associates
- Western Economic Diversification
- And a host of other corporate partners

For more information and debate results, please go to www.schoolsdebate.ca