THIRD International conference on argumentation, rhetoric, debate and the pedagogy of

empowerment - Thinking and speaking a better world

Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts, University of Maribor, Slovenia (Oddelek za filozofijo,

Filozofska fakulteta, Univerza v Mariboru, Slovenija), World Debate Institute (University of
Vermont USA) and ZIP (Za in proti, zavod za kulturo dialoga/Pro et contra Institute for culture of
dialogue Slovenia) invite all scholars and practitioners of argumentation, rhetoric, debate, and
educators using deliberative education methodologies to the .Third International Conference
on Argumentation, Rhetoric, Debate and the Pedagogy of Empowerment -- THINKING
AND SPEAKING A BETTER WORLD.

Two previous conferences have been held, one in Koper and the other in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
The next conference is planned for October 22-23-24, 2010. The conference will be hosted at
the Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts, University of Maribor, http://www.ff.uni-mb.si

The conference will welcome scholars and educators from diverse fields for vigorous dialogue
and exchange. This conference will unite scholars of argumentation and rhetoric, teachers, and
organizers of local, national and international debating networks to discuss critical thinking and
advocacy discourse through pedagogy. We intend for the conference to welcome all who are
involved in public discussions and debates about different issues.

This conference is extremely timely. A global information society which seeks reasoned
solutions to problems through broad citizen involvement needs to develop and refine techniques
for criticizing and validating ideas through discourse and then impart these to new generations
of citizens if we are to create a better future and avoid looming crises. This conference
represents a unique opportunity to share ideas, network and cross-fertilize with global critical
thinkers.

Website http://debate.uvm.edu/debateblog/better/Welcome.html

Blogsite for latest news http://betterworldconference.blogspot.com/

The program for the conference will have three themes. Submissions are encouraged to center
their work on one of the three themes and to submit proposals to the appropriate conference
division. Interdisciplinary work that might fit into more than one category is very welcome.

•Argumentation and rhetoric. The use of logic and reason to criticize and analyze ideas through
communication. Those interested in research on argumentation theory, criticisms of
communication acts and scholarship on argumentation practice are encouraged to submit to this
division.

•Debate. The use of formal argumentation forums to educate and empower citizens. Those
interested in work on the practice and theory of debate competition, public debates, research on
the impact of debate for participants, and theorizing about debate paradigms are encouraged to
submit to this division.
•Critical thinking/pedagogy. Teaching and the methodology of teaching in the active classroom.
Those interested in using debate, discussion and argumentation in classrooms, discussion of
experiences and teaching lessons relating to communication and critical thinking are
encouraged to submit to this division.

A committee of conference organizers and scholars will examine submissions to each division.
Abstracts should be less than 250 words, papers can use MLA (footnotes) or APA (references)
style.

♣Argumentation: David Williams USA, Frans van Eemeren Netherlands, Danilo Šuster
Slovenia, email dcwill@fau.edu

♣Debate: Stephen Boyle Ireland, Maja Nenadović Hungary-Croatia, Peejay Garcia Korea-
Philippines, email stephenboyle87@GMAIL.COM

♣Pedagogy: Alfred Snider USA, Debbie Newman UK, Loke Wing Fatt Singapore, email
Alfred.snider@uvm.edu

Deadlines:

Rolling admission as proposals come in.

Assemble program 1 September 2010

Late additions 1 October 2010

Electronic version of paper due 15 October 2010

Keynote Speakers: To Be Announced Soon

Registration:

Fill out the application form http://debate.uvm.edu/betterworld2010application.doc and send it to

- debata@siol.net

Fee for attendees 120 Euros, student price 80 Euros

Includes lunch, banquet dinner, reception, grab bag, conference booklet, and coffee breaks.

Please register by 15 September 2010, pay by 15 October. Payment deadlines after you
register.

Those wishing to attend the conference without submitting a paper are very welcome but
must register.

Organizing committee:
Bojana Skrt, Za in proti, zavod za kulturo dialoga, Slovenia
Alfred C. Snider, World Debate Institute, University of Vermont, USA,

Boris Vezjak, Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts, University of Maribor, Slovenia

More about Maribor www.maribor.si

More about University of Maribor, www.uni-mb.si

More about Za in proti, zavod za kulturo dialoga Slovenija www.zainproti.com