2005 ConocoPhillips World Schools Debating Championships Kicks Off Today in Calgary, Canada.

CALGARY, Alberta -- More than 150 of the best senior high school debaters from 31 nations around the world square off in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, today as the 2005 ConocoPhillips World Schools Debating Championships kicks off. This is Calgary's first time hosting the 17th annual event, which runs from February 11- 18 with a total of 140 matches at 40 schools throughout the city and area.

Students from as far away as Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Israel, Ireland, Lithuania, Peru, South Africa, Sri Lanka, USA and many other countries will vie for the world crown. They'll be watched by thousands of students in Calgary and area schools. Many of the debates are open to the public.

"These Debate participants are truly among the brightest students within their nations," said Ron Lee, World Convener, 2005 ConocoPhillips World Schools Debating Championships, and a teacher at Forest Lawn High School in Calgary. "By hosting the World Championships, Alberta has a unique opportunity to positively influence these future leaders and introduce them to the vibrant educational and global business community located in Alberta." Past World Debaters have gone on to lead in their countries in both the public and private sectors and have become corporate executives, lawyers, politicians, educators, and leaders of industry.

"Some of the countries represented at this year's Debating Championships have been severely affected by the recent devastating tsunami," said David Tupper, volunteer Chairman, 2005 ConocoPhillips World Schools Debating Championships, and partner at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP. "We're extremely excited to see the caliber of corporate, government, education and community partners that have contributed financially to make this event possible." A fundraiser event in support of the tsunami relief efforts is planned as part of the itinerary for the Debating Championships.

"Sponsoring this world class event is one of the many ways we support youth and education in our local and world communities," said Henry Sykes, President, ConocoPhillips Canada. "We're pleased to be associated with such a diverse and talented group of participants and organizers."

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.

For the first time this year, a First Nations team is taking part in the debates. Over the past year, a team of debate coaches, debate students and educators has worked with educational staff and high school students from the Siksika and Tsuu T'ina First Nations, aboriginal high school students from within the Calgary School System as well as a number of additional First Nations' groups to build an international caliber world debate team, and to expose First Nations' students to debate.

Canada won the Championship in 1988 and has previously hosted the debates twice; in Medicine Hat, Alberta, and Winnipeg, Manitoba. Australia was the winner last year in Stuttgart, Germany.

Major sponsors for the Debate 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.
- N. Murray Edwards and Heather Bala Edwards
- Nexen Inc.
- Norman Leach & Associates
- Western Economic Diversification

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