We are talking to Eduard Ortiz, a student on the first year of the bachelor’s degree in Global Studies of the Faculty of Humanities. He was considered the best speaker in the UPF Debating League. The competition was held on 30 and 31 January and 2 February and involved the participation of 32 teams and about 100 students.

- You arrived and fitted straight in. A first year student and you win the prize for best speaker of the UPF Debating League. What has it felt like? Were you expecting it?

I still don’t believe it, I am living it really intensely! We signed up for the League to learn to communicate, debate and, above all, to develop this aspect that helps us in everyday life: “to know how to speak”. The first day, just as soon as we saw our opponents, it was clear to us that we were not out to win or compete but to learn. We were hard hit as we went out in the group stage, I never thought we might win it. When I found out about the nomination I was overjoyed, I can’t tell you how I felt on the day I won!

- Why did you decide to sign up with team “Globalizers” in the League? What motivated you?

All of the team are studying Global Studies, and being so “global” all the news on the international agenda turned into veritable daily debates. In the first term, during the U.S. election campaign, anything controversial was the subject of debate. I wanted to improve my public speaking skills. I decided to participate to learn and get some training. I only had to convince two friends. Despite the interest that the competition aroused in us, we had problem of being first-year students. We were really excited about being able to participate in this experience. Without them nothing would have been possible.

- Had you ever taken part in similar experiences?

I had never experienced anything similar, neither in public speaking nor debating. I regret not having started before. It was either due to a lack of time or opportunity.

- What is the secret of a good speaker?

I don’t think the figure of a good speaker or an archetype speaker exists. We all stand out more or less in specific aspects: we are either good at making our argument, or we convey emotions, or we communicate our ideas clearly... I really think that to be good speaker you have to have a happy medium among all the qualities. I have tried to assemble the above features, but it’s impossible. I really don’t know the exact secret of good speaker, if there is a “hidden” precept that I have followed it’s to speak from the heart, you have to feel what you are saying and give it all the emotion you can, even if you are defending stances that go against your principles.

- Aggressive or rational speaker? With which tone are you more at ease?

That greatly depends on many factors, such as the subject and the context. I consider myself rational, I like to have everything very well structured; but at the same time I also like to add emotion and passion in my interventions, the tone I use most is somewhere in the middle. The term aggressive is not compatible with debate, the fundamental element in debate is to recognize one’s own ignorance and show the desire to enrich yourself, using an arrogant tone discredits you. I like to use resources that are incisive or that provoke a reaction. However, I feel more comfortable in the emotional aspect, since that is what makes rational arguments stand out.

- Do you think that studying Global Studies has helped you deal better with the topics of debate?

I really think it has been a key factor. This degree is like transforming the entire global news into a discipline. Global Studies is a degree that allows you find out how the world works from such a variety of academic perspectives, fields and areas as economics, political science, communication, humanities, law etc. Dealing with the world today is synonymous with probing into controversial issues, precisely issues that typically come up in the Debating League. Having a cross-disciplinary background along with a global vision and dealing with controversial issues has greatly helped to be able to cover such abstract but at the same time practical topics. 

- How do you prepare for a competition of this kind? Do you use any particular method?

One of the advantages of the UPF Debating League is that in addition to the debate, two symposia are held at which experts in the field help us, teach and advise us on how to approach the debates, both insofar as aspects of public speaking and in the construction of our arguments. Once given the theory, we dug deeper and probed more. I think that the most effective method is based on two actions: watching debates from other years to see the dynamics, and most importantly, practising; whether in front of team mates, family or friends. Putting the theory into practice is what makes you really learn. That’s the best method: practice, practice and more practice.

- Will you take part again next year? What goal have you set for yourself?

You bet! I’m already counting the time until the next opportunity. As I am a first-year student I still have the advantage of being able to take part again. I have participated in few debates in the League this year and I would like to be able to debate more. Now I’ve achieved personal recognition, but next year I would like to go further with the team. If we could reach the final and win, that would be perfect. I like to set myself big, sometimes unattainable goals, but I’d like to be able to represent UPF at the Vives University Network Debating League. I will be fighting my corner during the forthcoming editions!

Photo gallery of the UPF Debating League 2017