A. Craig Baird is the founder of International Debates in the United States. He started the program at Bates College and brought his ideas to Iowa. Since his arrival to campus, the University has hosted the British Debate Team. In addition to the British Debate Team, Iowa has hosted teams from Rwanda, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, and Russia. We are in the process of expanding the program to include an international exchange between the UI and Ireland’s International Debate Team, working on developing debates between the UI and South Korea’s International Debate Team, and through his efforts with the International Debate Education Association, Mr. Bellus is working on developing exchanges with China’s and the Ukraine’s International Teams.