On August 2^nd 2014, more than 300 participants gathered at the “International Friendly Debate Competition” at Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia in Srey Dim Hall. Local contestants came from the Paññāsāstra Student Senate Debate Club and the Institute of Technology of Cambodia, and international members of AIESEC from China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Australia, and Africa were also in attendance.  

 The competitors were debating these three important motions:

 “This house believes that education should be prioritized for environmental   protection.”
“This house believes that volunteerism should be compulsory for university students.”
“This house believes that poverty eradication can be achieved through investment in education.”

The purpose of the “International Friendly Debate Competition” is not to find a winner but to bring a diverse group of students together to find solutions for societal problems.

Mr. Loem Chhoung, a sophomore student at the Institute of Technology of Cambodia, was impressed with the competition. He said, “I got a lot of benefits from it, especially, the debating process.” He added that he even hopes to be a debater one day.

Mr. Meng Puthy, a contestant from the PASS Debate Club was very happy to be a part of the competition. “This is a special opportunity for me to challenge with foreigners students. I did a lot of research and, after debating, I realize I gained so such knowledge,” he said.

Paññāsāstra Student Senate (PASS), AIESEC local committees, and the Institute of Technology of Cambodia are hoping to have an even bigger and more challenging debate competition next time.