Young Climate Action Network (YOUCAN) has once again emerged as the Champion of the Inter-Hub National Debate Championship 2026, marking the organization’s second consecutive national championship victory in the prestigious youth debate competition.
Organized by Global Platform Bangladesh, a youth-focused platform of ActionAid Bangladesh, in collaboration with Rokeya Bitarka Angan, University of Dhaka, the championship brought together youth leaders, students, and young changemakers from across Bangladesh to engage in policy-based debates and critical discussions on national and global issues.
The competition focused on pressing themes including climate justice, just transition, education reform, gender equality, democratic governance, child rights, social inclusion, and decent employment. Through multiple competitive rounds, participants demonstrated strong research, analytical thinking, and evidence-based argumentation.
After an intense Grand Finale held at the Global Platform Bangladesh office in Dhaka, YOUCAN secured the championship title, while Chattogram Youth Hub became the Runner-Up.
A major highlight of the event was the presence and inspiring remarks of <Farah Kabir>, Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh, who attended the championship as the Chief Guest. In her speech, she emphasized the critical role of youth leadership, critical thinking, and inclusive participation in shaping a just and sustainable future. She highlighted how platforms like this debate championship are essential in empowering young people to engage with policy, challenge inequality, and contribute meaningfully to social transformation.
She further noted that today’s young generation must move beyond passive participation and become active voices in addressing climate injustice, social inequity, and democratic challenges. Her remarks strongly resonated with the participants and reinforced the importance of youth-led dialogue and advocacy.
The championship was conducted in three phases — Youth Hub Round, National Youth-Led Organization Round, and the Grand Finale. While the preliminary and semifinal rounds were held online, the final round took place physically, creating a vibrant environment for high-level debate and public engagement.
Judges praised the finalists for their structured arguments, policy understanding, rebuttal skills, and ability to connect debate topics with real-world challenges. According to the organizing team, the championship served not only as a competition but also as a platform for strengthening youth networks, promoting critical dialogue, and encouraging collaborative leadership among young people across the country.
For YOUCAN, winning the title for the second consecutive time reflects the organization’s growing commitment to youth empowerment, climate advocacy, policy engagement, and transformative leadership. The organization reaffirmed its dedication to creating spaces where young people can amplify their voices, influence decisions, and contribute toward building a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Official post by Organizer: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1J4ad22N9R/