JOVED 2011: Non-Politics Motions Fill First Day of Prelims

The preliminaries of the 15th Java Overland Varsities English Debate in Yogyakarta began today with 3 rounds that did not touch hard politics. Sports theme kicked off the competition, the second round had prepared motions on technology and debates at the end of the day were all about marriage. This signals that economics, politics and international relations will dominate the next rounds. Teams need to go through 3 more preliminary debates tomorrow before the late night break announcement.
The motions that were used on Day 1 of debates are as follows:

R1. Sports

• THW allow the use of performance enhancing drugs in professional sports
• THBT fans should have more than half of the ownership for the team they support
• THW allow people with physical disabilities to enter the Olympics

R2. Science and Technology

• THBT road pricing in cities brings more harm than good
• THW endorse software programs protection with patent instead of copyright
• THBT European Union should allow food products to be irradiated

R3. Marriage

• THBT courts should refuse to recognize pre-nuptial agreement
• THBT states should give married individuals the option to have multiple legal spouses
• THW give payment to housewives or househusbands for their work at home