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Written by Kevin Thompson
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.JPG "The top 3 (from left): Paul Rajan, Kevin Thompson and M. Kamar with the contest's judges and Seminary president Tyler Hendricks") In the fine tradition of UTS oratory contests of days gone by, an inter-religious speech contest was held in November of 2008.
With 8 contestants from 8 different countries the judges surely had a tough work-out to sort through the categories for grading the speeches. Each of the contestants spoke on the topic of “My Role as a Peace Builder” and the perspectives were as different as the speakers, and yet each one captured the essence of the way they saw themselves as a peace builder for the future. Some shared their unique life journey which has brought them to study at the seminary and how they saw that journey as preparing them for future endeavors. Others gave a more broad view of how they saw themselves contributing to a better future.
Contestants from Turkey, Israel, Moldova, South Korea, Britain, India, Zambia and USA representing perspectives which are culturally and religiously diverse added to the richness of the evening and the audience was entertained and enlightened. After serious deliberation the judges selected Kevin Thompson (British) in 1st place, Paul Rajan (Indian) 2nd place and Miri Kamar (Israeli) in 3rd place.
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