The Ducs De Nancy is an eloquence association founded in 2022 during the restructuring of the Student Bureau of the Centre Européen et Universitaire (CEU). Its primary mission is to democratize public speaking and to evolve personally and as a group to convincingly address various subjects.

Through weekly sessions, students belonging to the Ducs De Nancy association progress through various exercises to enjoy and improve their rhetorical skills.

This association is more broadly connected to a central association based in Paris called the Fédération Française de Débats et D’éloquence (FFDE). The FFDE brings together eloquence associations from all over France, such as the Ducs de Nancy, for competitions in various formats.

Hence, our association is enrolled in two national championships, the French Debate Championship, and the Advocacy Championship.

Regarding the Debate Championship:

The purpose of the parliamentary debate exercise is to oppose two teams of four, one representing the Government and the other the Opposition, with each member speaking in turn, with each turn not exceeding five minutes. The Prime Minister presents the project, then the leader of the opposition presents arguments to counter it, and possibly a counter-project. Subsequently, ministers and deputies speak on a more specific theme to support the Prime Minister or the leader of the opposition. The secretaries-general conclude, with the opposition team’s secretary having the last word.

The challenge lies in responding correctly to the other team’s arguments and adapting on the spot, as teams have only a few days to prepare, and the other team may present unforeseen arguments.

Regarding the Advocacy Championship:

The goal of the exercise is to construct a five-minute argument on a philosophical question. Teams consist of four speakers, competing on four subjects, all related to a common theme. Speakers must be both lyrical and convincing, concise and strong in arguments to face their opponents. The end of each speech is marked by a question from the opposing speaker, calling for the quick-wittedness of each participant.

One of our students (Eugénie Lhuintre) had the opportunity to plead at the Panthéon during the 7th edition of the Orators Trophy, facing an exceptional jury composed of Claire Nouvian, Bertrand Perrier, Kami Haeri, and Victoire Tuaillon.

Internal Competition:

Apart from the national competitions organized by the FFDE, the Ducs de Nancy also had the opportunity to participate in a fictional criminal advocacy competition organized by the AJEP association of the Law Faculty of Nancy. Our team reached the semi-finals, losing to the winners of the competition.

In essence, the goal of the Ducs de Nancy association is to democratize public speaking, ensuring that the art of rhetoric remains a celebration where everyone can derive pleasure.

« Aut Orator, Aut nihil »