In a display of formidable oratory skill, Antigua and Barbuda have clinched their second consecutive championship at the 54th Annual Leeward Islands Debating Competition. The grand finale, hosted Sunday evening in Nevis, culminated in a decisive victory for the defending champions over their hosts.
The Antiguan team, composed of debaters Leanna Browne and Janica Adams, amassed an impressive 694 points, significantly outpacing the Nevisian team’s total of 639 points. The competition reached its climax with a rigorous debate on a pivotal regional issue: ‘Caribbean governments should provide free tertiary education to citizens up to the undergraduate degree level.’ This moot challenged both teams to dissect complex socio-economic policies and their implications for Caribbean development.
Adding individual glory to the team’s success, Janica Adams was distinguished as the tournament’s Best Speaker, a testament to her persuasive arguments and commanding delivery. The event, a cornerstone of youth intellectual engagement in the sub-region, annually convenes top student debaters from across the Leeward Islands. It serves as a critical platform for discourse on pressing public policy and social matters, fostering a new generation of articulate and informed Caribbean leaders.
This back-to-back triumph not only solidifies Antigua and Barbuda’s debating prowess but also continues a legacy of excellence in this longstanding academic tradition, highlighting the importance of structured dialogue in addressing the region’s future challenges.