Dar es Salaam, Tanzania– Three university students from Tanzania have earned a unique opportunity to explore Poland, following their impressive performances at the inaugural EU Youth Debate Contest. The contest, part of the European Union’s broader initiative to engage and empower youth, culminated in awarding a fully sponsored educational and cultural study trip to Poland to top performers.
Among the standout speakers was Careen Ndika of the University of Dar es Salaam, who not only led her team but also earned the title of overall best speaker. Her victory was echoed by her teammates, Diana Shabani from Dar es Salaam Tumaini University and Kijafaraja Maduhu from the University of Dar es Salaam, who were both recognized as runners-up. Ndika expressed her excitement about the achievement, noting,
“Winning this competition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of every participant. This contest has shown us the power of structured debate and the impact of well-articulated ideas. I am honored to be among the winners and look forward to the journey ahead.”
The competition drew a remarkable response, with over 400 applicants initially vying for a chance to debate critical socio-economic issues. A rigorous selection process first narrowed the field to 100 participants, who then engaged in a Social Media Debate Challenge held from December 15 to 30, 2024. From these interactions, 20 finalists were chosen to advance to the live debate rounds, which took place on January 30-31, 2025, at the University of Dar es Salaam Library Auditorium.
During the live debates, four teams of five contestants tackled the motion: “Having your own business guarantees a more sustainable income than a regular job.” The winning team, which opposed this motion, skillfully demonstrated historical insight and critical reasoning, a performance that even shattered misconceptions about Tanzanian communication skills.
The contest was graced by influential figures who reiterated the importance of fostering debate and critical thinking among young people. Dr. Baruani Mshale, Director of Learning and Planning at Twaweza and the contest’s chief judge, remarked on the high standard of discourse, stating,
“This debate shattered the myth that Tanzanians cannot communicate effectively. The students skillfully connected history with present challenges, demonstrating critical thinking that is crucial for shaping the future.”
EU Ambassador to Tanzania, Christine Grau, also praised the event, emphasizing the transformative role of such initiatives:
“The European Union is proud to support initiatives like this. Young people form the majority in Tanzania and globally, and we are impressed by their talent and fresh ideas. We hope to make this an annual event, reaching even more students and fostering a culture of debate in Tanzania.”
Adding further encouragement, Katarzyna Sobiecka, Acting Polish Ambassador to Tanzania, highlighted Poland’s commitment to youth development:
“We believe in building people-to-people connections, as networking often leads to new opportunities. As the Embassy of Poland, we are delighted to offer the top three winners an educational and cultural trip to Poland this summer.”
She assured that the experience would be both enjoyable and enriching, reinforcing Poland’s long-standing support for Tanzanian youth through various development projects.
Launched on November 18, 2024, the contest is more than just a debate competition. It is a strategic effort by the EU Delegation in Tanzania, in collaboration with EU Member States’ missions, to actively involve young Tanzanians in meaningful discussions on socio-economic development.
