History majors defeat U of T to take home debating trophy

The United Nations should not be abolished.

That’s the position fourth-year history majors Aviva Gomes-Bhatt and Benn Bland successfully argued on January 29 at the sixth annual Foreign Affairs Debate between Ryerson University and the University of Toronto, organized by the Canadian International Council (CIC) – one of the country’s oldest and most respected think tanks. The duo defeated the opposing team led by two U of T political science students. And they have the trophy to prove it.

The debate took place at Hart House – an ivy-covered, neo-Gothic building at Canada’s largest university. Entering the Debates Room to a sold-out crowd dominated by U of T students, Gomes-Bhatt and Bland knew the odds were against them.

“We were stressed and nervous. We were thrown off our element because it was held at Hart House and the room was packed,” says Gomes-Bhatt.

But preparation and nerves of steel carried the day. Their strategy consisted of doing what history majors do best: researching documents, presenting arguments that weigh the facts and telling a persuasive story.

While the opposing team asserted that regional bodies like the European and African Unions would be more effective in delivering global governance, the Ryerson side defended the United Nations, arguing that it has been a singular force of good despite its shortcomings.

The stakes were high, as Ryerson hasn’t taken home the trophy since 2013. But being in tune with the audience and closely observing the debate’s rules helped them to win over the crowd 53 to 45, and draw a unanimous decision among the three judges.

Bland recounts how the U of T side underestimated them from the start, “They were definitely stunned that we were pulling out articles written by the CIC. I don’t think they thought we would do that type of research.”

“We had people coming up and telling us how Aviva’s part was empathic and emotional, so I think that may have done the trick. We didn’t go over our time limits, which made us seem professional,” Bland adds.

He went on to say that a big misconception people have about debating is that you have to be serious all the time. In fact, humour can be used to persuade. He gently teased the U of T side for suggesting that facts don’t matter, a tactic that drew laughter from the house and helped to discredit their opponents’ arguments.

Despite preparing for over 20 hours leading up to the debate, the team went in with modest expectations.

“We genuinely didn’t think we would win. We had no idea and couldn’t believe it,” says Gomes-Bhatt. “So many people have come up to congratulate us. We just didn’t realize what a big deal it was to have won for Ryerson!”

Both Gomes-Bhatt and Bland feel they represent not just the school, but also the Department of History. “It’s great to put our program on the map! History is kind of undervalued sometimes, so this moment is great for the students,” says Gomes-Bhatt.

“Historical context is huge. It’s important  to make an interpretation about why certain things are certain ways. I think we found great articles that helped put us on top,” adds Bland.

History professor Arne Kislenko agrees.

“In a very engaging and hard fought debate, Aviva and Benn were simply awesome and did Ryerson very proud,” says Kislenko, who helped organize the debate and gave the students advice leading up to the showdown.

Many people in attendance, including Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Elizabeth Dowdeswell, approached him to say how impressed they were with the Ryerson team.

“I’d like to think that their victory speaks well of the history program at Ryerson, but I know for sure it speaks volumes about the high quality of our students,” says Kislenko.

After a six-year absence, the CIC Foreign Affairs Debate trophy returns to Ryerson’s Jorgenson Hall. Be it resolved that the United Nations should not be abolished.