OTTAWA, Sept. 27, 2012 /CNW/ - The Travers Debates on Oct. 16 promise a night of high-calibre schmoozing and stimulating and witty debates to honour the legacy of the James (Jim) Travers, a journalist with a passion for good conversation and a love of puns and one-liners.
Sign on to see political pundit Allan Gregg and columnist and author Dan Gardner face off over whether Canada or the United States has a better future and listen to master tweeter Kady O'Malley tell us why 140 characters won't doom journalism.
Tickets are almost gone, so hurry. There are sponsorship opportunities left. Contact Al MacKay [email protected], or Louisa Taylor [email protected]
WHERE: The National Art Centre, Panorama Room
WHEN: Oct. 16, 7 p.m. (First debate 7:40 p.m.)
COST: $75.00
TICKETS: Can be purchased online at http://bit.ly/S13MS8
(Tickets won't be sold at the door)
The event will bring together a 'who's who' of Canadian politics and the media at a non-partisan party and fundraiser in support of the R. James Travers Foreign Corresponding Fellowship, which was established following the death in 2011 of the former national affairs columnist, newspaper editor and foreign correspondent.
The annual $25,000 fellowship, awarded for the first time in 2011, allows a working journalist or student to pursue a significant foreign reporting project.
The NAC evening, organized by friends of Jim's along with honorary co-chairs Hon. John Manley and Hon. Peter Kent, will feature two debates.
The first will be a lighthearted debate during which Chantal Hebert of The Star/Le Devoir and NDP MP Nathan Cullen will argue that Twitter will be the death of journalism, while interim Liberal leader Bob Rae and the CBC's Kady O'Malley will argue the opposite.
The second debate will tackle the more serious resolution that "The Future of the United States is brighter than that of Canada." Following the Lincoln-Douglas debate format, columnist Dan Gardner will argue for the United States, while pollster Allan Gregg will defend Canada's honour.
Broadcaster Don Newman will host, Senator Hugh Segal will keep the debaters in line as moderator and former auditor general Sheila Fraser will prevent any overruns in her role as official timekeeper.
Throughout the evening, guests can bid on tempting Silent Auction items, including an exclusive opportunity to select five questions to be included on an Angus Reid poll in Canada, the U.S, and the U.K
The Silent Auction requires cash or cheque only. No debit or credit card transactions are possible.
SOURCE: The Travers Debates
Al MacKay [email protected], or Louisa Taylor [email protected]
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