The Hanyang University Debate Society (HYDS) hosted the Korea Intervarsity Debate Association (KIDA)’s tournament, also known as KIDA Open, for the very first time. This tournament was held on Hanyang University (HYU) from August 22nd to the 24th. KIDA Open is one of the biggest international tournaments where national and international teams come to HYU to participate in a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“As one of the members of the Korea Intervarsity Debate Association, HYDS decided to host this year’s KIDA Open in order to give more opportunities in attending debate tournaments for our fellow university debaters,” said Lee Byeong-cheol, the President of HYDS and Convener of KIDA Open. As a convener, Byeong-cheol says that his role is similar to that of an artist drawing the outline of their artwork, as he was responsible for forming the base of the tournament but also creating goals that must be met before the day of the tournament.

Hosting such a big event is not easy and that is why the organizing committee and the Chief Adjudicator Panel (CAP) of KIDA Open deserve recognition for their work. Under five different sectors: PR Management, Services, Logistics, Tournament Director, and Foreign Affairs, the organizing committee helped to prepare for the tournament according to their individual tasks. The CAP, on the other hand, consisted of skilled debaters and professors who decided the debate motions and also worked in managing the tournament.

With no external help, the students involved organized every part of the KIDA Open. Byeong-cheol added, “There were a few difficulties that arose when we were preparing for this tournament. For example, it was difficult getting visas and hotel reservations for the students from abroad, and there was also trial and error in financial management.” But as a team and with advice given from fellow seniors, Byeong-cheol agrees that the tournament was efficiently run with a systematic approach.