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ABOUT THE CONTEST
The European Union Youth Debate Contest is an initiative targeting university students in Tanzania. It aims to foster a positive and constructive debating environment while enhancing critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills.
The contest focuses on contemporary socio-economic issues relevant to Tanzania’s development agenda, encouraging youth to lead impactful discussions. With a strong online and offline presence, the contest features a Social Media Debate Challenge and Live Debates, ensuring broad participation and engagement.
The 2024 topic, "Having your own business guarantees a more sustainable income than a regular job," explores critical questions about entrepreneurship, job stability, and the relevance of formal education in today’s economy.
The debate contest is being implemented in partnership with The Chanzo, the Tanzania Competitive Rhetoric Organisation and the EU Youth Sounding Board in Tanzania
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
To join the European Union Youth Debate Contest, complete the online application form before 30th November 2024. The form is available in both English and Swahili. After applications are reviewed, 100 shortlisted participants will be invited to an online information session to learn the rules and receive resources on debating techniques.
In the first round, participants will engage in a Social Media Debate Challenge by posting a 2-minute video sharing their stance on the topic: “Having your own business guarantees a more sustainable income than a regular job.” Posts must include the hashtag #EUDebateContest and tag EU official accounts. The challenge runs from 15th to 30th December 2024, with submissions closing at 4 PM on the final day.
The best 20 participants will be selected and invited to a live debate in Dar es Salaam, with results announced on EU in Tanzania’s social media accounts in early January 2025.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the objective of the debate contest?
The contest is aimed at building a positive and constructive debating culture among youth, while enhancing critical thinking and debating skills by addressing pressing contemporary socio-economic issues faced by Tanzanian youth. The contest is designed to increase student participation and encourage knowledge-sharing on topics relevant to Tanzania’s development agenda.
What is the format of the debate contest?
Given that youth are the most active internet users in Tanzania, the contest will incorporate a social media component alongside in-person engagements, including live debates. This approach will not only amplify participation but also facilitate broader engagement with the issues discussed.
Why is the EU supporting this initiative?
In line with the efforts of both the Tanzanian government and the European Union Delegation to Tanzania, along with its member states, this contest aligns with the broader goal of empowering youth to contribute meaningfully to the country’s development and to ensure their voices are heard.
Frequently asked questions
Why do we target university students in Tanzania?
To ensure a well-balanced debate contest, the participation is primarily focused on university students in Tanzania. Their contributions extend beyond academic environments to non-academic settings including online interaction, domestic spaces and educational contexts.
How will I benefit from the debate contest?
- Be awarded with a certificate for recognition.
- Participation will add value to your curriculum vitae.
- Gain exposure, experience and enhance your debating skills.
What is the prize?
Yet undetermined, but at least worth 1,000 euro (TZS. 2,950,000) and to be communicated very soon.
Where will the debate contest take place?
The first round of the debate contest will be carried out online on three social media platforms, i.e. X, Instagram and Facebook. The second and final round of the debate contest will take place in Dar es Salaam at a venue to be communicated.