Co-chair Dr Christopher Curry
University of The Bahamas
Email: christopher.curry@ub.edu.bs
Co-chair Ava Turnquest
Eyewitness News/Verizon Media
aturnquest@ewnews.com
University of The Bahamas (UB) is collaborating with Verizon Media Group (VMG) to host the National Election Debate Series leading to the upcoming General Elections. A series of four debates will be held at UB’s Performing Arts Centre at the Oakes Field Campus. These debates will provide political parties fielding candidates in the elections an opportunity to probe policy as equal rivals in an academic space that treasures and promotes robust and rigorous discussion, critical thinking, and reflection. The Bahamian public throughout The Bahamas and the diaspora will be engaged in the process through real time public polling and focus groups.
Due to COVID 19 health regulations, strict protocols on social distancing, sanitization, and temperature checks will be enforced for participants. Public viewing will be via live broadcasts and live streaming.
Constitutional Reform and Human Rights debate – 10th August 2021, 8:00 p.m.
Debaters will represent the following political parties:
- Bahamas Constitution Party
- Progressive Liberal Party
- Democratic National Alliance
- Bahamas Democratic Movement
Co-moderators are:
- Dr. Nicolette Bethel, Chair, School of Social Sciences, UB
- Mr. Philip Simon, Host, “Bahamas @ Sunrise” TV talk show
The first two debates are:
11thMay 2021, 8:00 p.m.
Youth Debate: a forum for younger candidates ratified by parties, or persons affiliated with the youth arm of a party. Youth are defined as persons between the ages of 18 and 35. Moderators for this debate are:
- Shelby McPhee, Adjunct Lecturer, Political Science, UB
- Anastarcia Palacious, Owner, The Social Light Media and Host, Bahamas at Sunrise
1stJune 2021, 8:00 p.m.
COVID 19 and Climate Crisis: these are issues of national importance to the future of The Bahamas.
The dates for the last two debates will be announced later.
Four questions will be submitted to debaters in advance, three scripted questions will be fielded by the moderators, and there will be a series of audience-generated questions. The scripted questions will be submitted to debaters once participation is confirmed.
A specific timeframe will be allotted for rebuttals after each question except for the final question which will be followed by a closing statement. In the closing statement, debaters may choose to either make a final rebuttal or present a more generalized statement about their party.
A committee of academics, scholars and media and communications professionals is planning and executing the debate with the contributions of the local media and civil society. Members of the Committee include:-
- Dr. Christopher Curry, Co-Chair, Associate Professor of History, UB
- Ava Turnquest, Co-Chair, Head of Digital, Verizon Media Group
- Dr. Niambi Hall Campbell-Dean, Assistant Professor of Psychology, UB
- Dr. Yvette Pintard-Newry, Assistant Professor of Public Administration, UB
- E’Thegra Symonette, Assistant Professor of Law and Government, UB
- Natasha Turnquest, Adjunct Lecturer, Political Science, UB
- Shelby McPhee, Adjunct Lecturer, Political Science, UB
- Tameka Lundy, Assistant Vice President, University Relations, UB
- Astranique Bowe, Acting Director of Communications, UB
- William Fielding, Director, Institutional Strengthening, UB
- Francine Russell, Heritage Partners Co-Founder
- Philippa Moss, Performing Arts Centre Manager, UB
Press Releases
1stMay – Statement: National Election Debate Series, Youth Debate
Social Media
