SPEAKER of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, said the ‘Speaker’s National Youth Debating Competition’ aims to promote the work of the country’s democratic institutions.
The competition was, on Tuesday, launched in the Chamber of the National Assembly. The debate will feature groups from the 11 educational districts across the country.
“The rationale behind these initiatives from the Parliament is to promote the culture of democracy and the work of democratic institutions among our people at all ages and across all locations,” he said. Due to COVID-19, the competition will be held in a short window with virtual and in-person presentations.
“It is going to be run from June 15 to July 9. There will be 16 youth groups participating in the competition and there will be four rounds. The competition itself will be held on Tuesdays and Fridays with two debating contests each day. One running from 10 to 11 am and the other from 2pm to 3pm,” he said.

The participating groups are the Oronoque Sports Group, Queens Town Youth Group, Anna Regina Youth Group, West Bank Young Achievers, Small Steps Big Impact Youth Group, Young Professional, Grove/Diamond Youths in Development, Berbice Development Youth Group, Golden Om Youth Group, No. 58 Swing Star Youth Group, Angoy’s Avenue Youth Group, Mahdia Youth Group, Linden Super Star Youth Group, Kast Talent Management, Cummings Lodge Youth Movement and the University of Guyana Student’s Society.
The competition will feature nine judges, namely, Nazima Raghubir, Neil Marks, Delon Fraser, Monette Garnett-Christopher, Dr. Valerie Goorsammy-Smith, Breanna Ramnarain, Melissa Dow-Richardson, Sonia Maxwell and Rayon Miller. The debates will be featured on the Parliament’s website, Facebook page and YouTube channel. It will also be rebroadcast at times to be decided. Additionally, the Speaker said 24 persons from the competition will be featured in the National Youth Parliament set for August. He said this is to ensure the event is more inclusive.
Attractive prizes will be given to all participants with the ‘best speaker’ receiving a laptop. (DPI)