Advised topic: Children and young people
C Grade – Round Three
Investing in children’s well-being and development is both a moral imperative and important on
practical grounds, for example to ensure the future of the nation. Government policy and
education has a big part to play in the development of children and young people. Often such
policy can be at odds with the choices parents wish to make for their children, and of course the
choices children and young people wish to make for themselves. To what extent should parents
be allowed freedom over their children? At what age should children and young people be able to
make their own decisions? These sorts of questions are particularly relevant in a world where the
concept of family is being constantly re-defined, and where technology has resulted in children
growing up faster than ever before.
Remember, to think about the following questions relating to children and young people:
 When should the government seek to control private behaviour vs allowing parents to
make decisions in the best interests of their children?
 How can we best give children the kinds of opportunities in life that most people want
and need?
 When are children different to adults? Should children ever be allowed to make their own
decisions? Why/why not?
 Why do we require parental consent for children to attend excursions or to have surgery?
 What are some problems/issues that are particular to young people or worse for young
people?
This resource guide considers what teams should aim to do both before the round and during
prep time on the night.
Before the debate:
 Do think about the issues above and consider what types of topics about children might
come up. Think about your own life and issues that you face with peers, family and
teachers.
 Do read newspaper articles and pay attention to the news to see any stories that involve
children or young people.
 Do print out (and bring to the debate!) any relevant resources you find.
 Do consider what sort of decisions are best made by children v state v parents.
On the night:
 Do make sure you arrive on time for topic release. You will only have one hour to prepare
for the debate and every minute counts!
 Do make sure you have correctly written down the topic and which side of the debate you
are on.
 Do make sure you follow the rules of secret topic prep. That means:
o Do not use electronic devices including iPads, computers or phones;
o Do not arrive late to your debate;
o Do not speak to or receive help from persons outside your team, including
teachers and parents;
o Do not prepare with more than five team members, even if your team is much
bigger.
o Do feel free to speak to the Regional Coordinator if you need to clarify the
meaning of the topic or check what side you are on.
During prep time:
 Do spend the first 5-10 minutes of prep time brainstorming arguments.





Do chat to your teammates about the most important arguments on your side of the
debate and decide which speaker will say which argument. Remember, your most
important arguments should be presented by the first speaker and your third speaker
should not present any arguments.
Do remember to define the topic, think about a model if necessary, and above all else
explain what your team is trying to achieve or prove in the debate.
Do write down your arguments on cue cards, try doing this in dot points so you don’t run
out of time.
Do remember to leave time in your speech for rebuttal, and to think in advance what the
other team might say.
Do leave 5 minutes at the end of prep time to practice your speech.
Please see the below links for some background reading:
http://www.unicef.org/socialpolicy/index_53294.html
UNICEF – Importance of Investing in Children
http://www.unicef.org.au/Discover/What-we-do/Convention-on-the-Rights-of-the-Child.aspx
UNICEF - Child Rights: The Four Key Principles
http://theconversation.com/generation-next-where-to-for-australias-young-people-10604
The Conversation – Generation next: where to for Australia’s young people
http://www.lawfoundation.net.au/ljf/site/templates/UpdatingJustice/$file/UJ_38_Youth_and_th
e_law_gender_FINAL.pdf
The Law Foundation – Youth and the law: the impact of legal problems on young people
http://www.lawhandbook.org.au/handbook/ch19s01s02.php
The Law Handbook – Information and consent