Herman Lam studies Politics and International Relations at the University of Cambridge as a Prince Philip Scholar from Hong Kong. He co-founded and directs a local student charity supporting disadvantaged children through providing free weekly tutorial and extra-curricular activities. As part of his charitable work, he coaches the debate team for a local school with much successes, including breaking in the International Competition for Young Debaters and a successful outing to Heart of Europe 2017. During his free(r) time, he loves a good walk in the English countryside (even when it is raining).

Herman is an international debating coach and adjudicator. For the last five years, he has coached teams from the UK and Hong Kong. He adjudicated every round in Heart of Europe 2017. He was the convenor and the Chief Adjudicator of the inaugural UNESCO Hong Kong SDG English Debating Tournament in December 2017. More recently, he went to Colorado, USA to serve as the Chief International Judge in the Mile High Conquest Speech and Debate Tournament, judged 22 rounds in the 4-day tournament, and was described as ‘the rock star of the tournament.’ His wit, sharp insights and encouraging presence will be a great addition to the CAP of Heart of Europe 2018.

Herman believes that debating does something more than merely improving public speaking, oratorical and analytical skills – by asking debaters to examine concrete policies, comparing the status quo and what can be, debating asks debaters to imagine a better future. And through imagining, he hopes that debaters will want to help create a better future, whether it is by advocacy, campaigning and volunteering. He believes that the international nature of the tournament makes it best placed to sow the seeds for these positive changes.