Counting Down to the Youth Forum

Three days until the annual Youth Forum, 2 weeks of the year when we live in a secluded bubble of debate and diversity. This year, we have over 40 teams coming from 5 continents and over 35 different countries to join us in Predeal, Romania. We have observers from new countries, such as Burma joining us for the first time, as well as all our old friends. This year's country expo night is certainly going to be the largest showing that we've ever had.

Besides anticipating all the cultural exchanges, we're also looking forward to the debates and the promising new resolution this year. If you don't already know, this year's resolutions are:

• "Resolved: that a policy should be adopted to promote global compliance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child."

• "Resolved: that the world's fresh water should be considered common property."

20 international trainers have been preparing these topics for the past year and they have some fabulous lab sessions planned. Of course, they've also encouraged debaters and coaches to participate in the discussion of these topics. All viewable on our idebate website.

Lizzie and I are flying out tomorrow for Romania. From what I hear, the Romanian organizers have done a fantastic job preparing everything (excursions to Dracula's castle!). I'll let you know more about the Forum site when we arrive. For now, get psyched and start counting the minutes, because if you're like me, you've been waiting all year for this.