As a part of its social movement against human trafficking, YPSA has started conducting debate competitions at the educational institutes in Cox’s Bazar under the project titled, “Prevention and Response Activities on Counter Trafficking Issues” being supported by IOM and ECHO.
As a part of its massive campaign, YPSA organized a debate competition at Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Mujib Govt. Women College, Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar on 12th January, 2023. The students of the colleges participated in the debate competition. It was a Parliamentary Debate in which speakers titled such as “Opposition Leader” and “Prime Minister” lead their respective teams consisting of 5 students each in the competition. All of the students and teachers of the college attended the event as participants. However, a dedicated team of YPSA-project staff groomed the debate teams for a week. They provided them (debaters) with all the relevant documents so that both of the teams could study and get better preparation. Besides, the students also collected information from different sources on the debating topics. In this regard, YPSA CT Project has developed a Guideline for the debate competition.
Mr. Jishu Barua, Program Manager and Counter Trafficking Focal Person, in his greeting speech, shared the objectives behind arranging debate competition at the education institutes in Cox’s Bazar. He said, “With four particular objectives, YPSA has taken initiatives to organize such debate competitions. The objectives are i) To orient the students and teachers on the CT issues, ii) To increase skills of the students to participate in the public speaking, iii) To pass the CT message on to the other community members and iv) To create a sustainable counter trafficking mechanism at the community level.
However, the topic of the debate was “Only a planned employment initiative can prevent human trafficking.” Two teams consisting of 5 students each contested in the competition. The treasury bench won the competition. The president, Sumai Akter Shetu was judged as the “Best Orator”. At the end of the competition, a prize giving ceremony was held. Each of the debaters received prizes. The “Best Orator” was given a Special Prize.” She said, “This prize is really an inspiration for me. At the same time, I must say that we are so happy that we could be a part of the competition at our college. We have learned some interesting and essential things while preparing ourselves for the debate competition. We are grateful to the YPSA CT Team for grooming us for the competition. We do need such debate competitions in the future because it is a wonderful way of learning new and good things for life.”
Mr. Shahe Alam, Principal (in charge) thanked YPSA for organizing such a creative event and said, “In my college, there was no such wonderful learning plus competition held before. Today, we have learned a lot about human trafficking through this debate competition organized by YPSA. Our students have also benefited a lot. They will now be able to make their families and society aware of human trafficking. I hope YPSA will continue organizing these types of events.”
Speaker Mrs. Chanda Chowdhury (Professor of the College) said, “This shadow parliament is not just a matter of debate. It is a means of spreading knowledge about human trafficking. We want to build a society free of human trafficking. Through this program of YPSA, not only the talents of our students are being discovered, but also awareness is raising on anti-human trafficking in our society.”
Mrs. Naima Jannat (Professor of the College) said, “I personally give special thanks to YPSA for organizing us such a lively debate competition in such a short span of time. Today’s students will lead the nation in the coming days. This kind of debate competition will equip them how to lead and make decisions. Increasing awareness among them will benefit the entire nation as well.”
