At WUDC, IA payments were unfortunately delayed as a result of an unexpected shortfall in registrations relative to indicated interest. Nonetheless, at the tournament 56 IAs were reimbursed out of 64. The 9 IAs remaining were paid via bank transfer between the period of March 15th and 23rd, as the indicated preference or their inability to physically make it to tournament for reasons beyond their control, This regrettably took longer than expected, but we do want to stress that we worked round the clock to ensure we found the funding to process this payment.

For WSDC: 

• Team registrations are more stable and predictable, particularly given the mediation through national debate organisations. We are currently at 64 registrations with early payments in process, out of those teams we have received 8 partial payments and 1 full payment. (and have drawn a worst-case estimate at 50 teams) Bid Booklet WSDC (Mobile).pdf
• Since partial payments are in process, registration fees coming in will be confirmed before allocating all IA funding. 

We will still offer all IAs the option to be paid in cash on the first day of the WSDC tournament should there be any concerns over timelines.

In the same way that hosting WSDC in Asia in the past proved regrettably incredibly inaccessible to teams in Latin America and the Caribbean, we understand that Panama’s geographical location makes it similarly difficult for other parts of the world, while making it easier for teams in the host region (where a WSDC has not been held in over the last two decades). We acknowledge the difficulty this causes and deeply appreciate and are grateful for all the efforts national organisations are engaged in to find sponsorship, and hope they can attend. We do have early indications to believe that a number of teams (64)  are making it, including teams from the region who haven’t attended WSDC in the recent past. For registration information, please refer to Q1.

Updates will be posted on the following platforms:

• https://www.facebook.com/share/164xnkXs9q/
• https://wsdcpanama.com/
• Depending on urgency and confidentiality, some might go directly through email to the relevant parties.

Please find below the overall timeline with deadlines leading up to WSDC, followed by the WSDC Schedule

• Overall timeline https://wsdcpanama.com/tournament-info/
• Tentative WSDC Schedule
• Bid Booklet WSDC (Mobile).pdf

It is possible for teams to make lump sum payments, and we apologise for any confusion in communication about this. Please refer the process below for payments information:

We offer two convenient methods for submitting your registration payment for WSDC, based on community feedback, we will now be sending invoices to all interested delegations regardless of request. 

• Option 1 is Payment via CuantoApp
  • Custom Payment Links: Each delegation will receive a personalized payment link via inbox based on their specific registration needs, which can vary from individual to group links for both partial amounts and amounts in full.
  • Submission of Payment Confirmation: After completing your payment through CuantoApp, it is mandatory to send a copy of your payment confirmation (receipt or screenshot) to the official WSDC email address for verification.  

• Option 2 is Bank Transfer
  • This option allows you to make a direct payment via bank transfer. Bank details will be shared with delegations upon request.
  • Submission of Payment Confirmation: Once the transfer is completed, please retain a copy of your payment confirmation (voucher or screenshot) and send it to the official WSDC email address for verification.  

Important Information for Both Payment Methods

• Inbox Notification: Each delegation will receive a message with their specific payment details and instructions.  
• Payment Confirmation Required: Regardless of the payment method chosen, you must submit proof of payment to the official WSDC email address to complete your registration.  
• Official WSDC Email Address: Please ensure that you send your payment confirmation to the correct email address provided in your inbox.

We acknowledge a delay in communications and are sorry about this – we are now committed to responding to emails addressed to us within 48 hours of receiving these emails (barring weekends, except in cases of emergency). We have also responded to all visa queries e.g by sending back corrections about passport uploads and/ or sending further documents for signing. This involves questions directed to us as of March 22nd 2024. We will be timely. 

While the org team will email airlines in advance in these cases, we unfortunately cannot take responsibility for transit airports acting outside of regulation. However, typically, applicants will likely receive a response on their Panamanian visas 6-8 weeks from payment after correctly submitting all required documentation. We request that participants (particularly team managers) fill out visa forms and make full payments with care, and on time.

The observer registration fees are 750 USD. Please find the bid document here: 

• https://wsdcpanama.com/tournament-info/
• Bid Booklet WSDC (Mobile).pdf

We will not be breaking up members from the same teams, and we will be housing children of the same sex together, and adults of the same sex together to the extent possible. This may be altered based on overall numbers and gender composition. However, we cannot house adults and children together given child safeguarding guidelines.

Except in cases of extenuating circumstances, any rooming allocations can only be released after we have partial payments, and clearer sense of overall tournament gender combinations, rooming preferences. You can expect a request form for alternate arrangements, e.g., single rooms, after the close of registrations, and once partial payments are made. This will be on a case by case basis. 

For operational ease, we need the final list of five debaters by May 15 (and payment for the delegation, regardless of names, by April 5 2024). Any substitutions in debaters without an overall change in numbers can most likely be accommodated until very close to the tournament as long as there are no visa requirements, ideally no later than June 15th. However, please note that this will alter rooming arrangements should gender composition change.

We believe it is highly unlikely that Donald Trump will genuinely attempt to invade the Panama Canal, in the same way that we think it is unlikely that he will invade Canada or Greenland. There are several checks-and-balances within the US to prevent such an incident from occurring, despite Trump’s projections, for instance, the War Powers Resolution of 1973 requires Congressional oversight over an invasion. In that case, there will be ample notice for us to make plans accordingly.

However, in the instance that Panama is invaded by a foreign invader, we have no control over the Panamanian national military or any other security forces that can defend against a full-scale invasion, much like any other country hosting WSDC that would be invaded. We can only say that there will be notice in that exceedingly rare circumstance (not least because there will be US citizens on Panamanian soil).

There is no alternate host for this year’s upcoming WSDC. Any discussions surrounding this issue are purely speculation and rumours and have no grounding.