NEWS
A new direction for Stylus
Like all organisations Stylus grows and Stylus changes. From the fairly narrow beginning of instructing debate for schools, we have seen rapid expansion into the corporate sector, and an increase in the diversity of the services we are able to offer. We are pleased to announce that this expansion and increase in diversity continue, as we start, or look to start, operations in various regions, to facilitate the delivery of our courses to an ever-widening audience.
What does this all mean? Put simply, it's about new members of the team in new locations, meaning that as a group we can offer more courses to more clients in more places than ever before.
Please read the articles below for more information.
Stylus USA is here!
Following recent discussions about expansion in North America we are very pleased to announce the creation of Stylus USA. Based in Southern California, Stylus USA will be headed by Josh Martin and John Patrick (see The Stylus Team) who will offer all the usual services of the organisation, as well as new courses in inter-cultural communication, essential for the traveling businessperson to conduct themselves in a manner that ensures their commercial success.
Stylus Europe comes online
Stylus members have been working with students and organisations
in Eastern Europe for a number of years; as regular faculty members of the
International Debate Academy Slovenia (IDAS), and trainers at debate camps in
Serbia, Ukraine and Estonia. We have also provided academic courses in
communication for students from the universities of Ljubljana and Belgrade, and
run the training at events such as Communique 09 and Futur. It was only a
matter of time then before we looked to open a centre of operations somewhere
in the region, and we are very happy that Stylus Europe is now online, based in
the wonderful city of Belgrade.
Headed by Marko Cirovic (assisted by other members of the Stylus team) the Belgrade team will look to become the focus of operations for the Balkans, and Eastern Europe as a whole, and the hoped-for continued development of relationships and strategic partnerships with excellent organisations such as ZiP (Za in Proti), in Slovenia, and the Youth Educational Forum of Macedonia (YEF).
Stylus' first adventures in China
As part of the training team for this year's FLTRP-BOC Cup (China's largest English-language debating competition, organised by the Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press and sponsored by the Bank of China), the fifteenth edition of the event, Josh Martin as Head of Training and Rhydian Morgan made the first steps toward establishing Stylus' presence in China. As a huge potential market both in the commercial sector and in education, we are excited by the opportunities that are presenting themselves in this region, and we look forward to continued development of relationships within China. To this end, Rhydian has accepted the role of Head of Training for the forthcoming EU-China Debates, to be held in June and October at Beijing Foreign Studies University, and the team will further explore the opportunities of opening operations in Beijing and Shanghai in the near future. Watch this space!
Stylus Africa: the next step?
Last year we were honoured to be asked to be the official training provider for the African Schools' Debating Championship held in Johannesburg. A return to South Africa this July should see the continued development of links with schools and other institutions in southern Africa, with a view to establishing regular subsidised programmes for students in the region. Added to this, we are currently exploring opportunities in the North African region, with a focus on Morocco, together with partners from US universities.
Stylus South America planned for 2012
Stylus members have worked already with a number of students from the Universidad Central de Venezuelawho are active in promoting debate in education in their country. We are delighted to announce that Cristina Patiño has agreed to join the Stylus team following her graduation next year, and will be starting operations for the organisation in the South American continent. Cristina and fellow students at the university are currently organising the first Spanish language World Championships of debate, and members of the Stylus team hope to be there to support this wonderful event.
