Date: 03 Aug 2026
Ni-Vanuatu students studying in Fiji gathered in Suva for the 2026 Vanuatu Students’ Association (VSA) Debate Competition, using debate as a platform to strengthen their leadership, critical thinking and public speaking skills while engaging in discussions on issues shaping Vanuatu’s future.
Organised by the Vanuatu Students’ Association in partnership with the Vanuatu High Commission in Fiji and supported by Balance of Power (BOP), the competition brought together students from the University of the South Pacific (USP), Fiji National University (FNU) and the Fiji School of Medicine. Held as part of Vanuatu’s 46th Independence celebrations, the event highlighted the importance of preparing young people to become informed, confident and engaged leaders.
Opening the programme, Speaker of the Parliament of Vanuatu, Hon. Stephen Felix, encouraged students to remain connected to their country and to see themselves as active contributors to its future.
“Today’s programme is intended to help us all reflect on where Vanuatu has come from, where we are today, and where we are heading as a nation.”
He reminded students that while education opens doors to new opportunities, it should also strengthen their commitment to serving their country.
“Work hard. Take care of yourselves. Prepare yourselves to become the next generation of leaders.”
Hon. Felix also reflected on Vanuatu’s enduring national motto, “Long God Yumi Stanap” (“In God We Stand”), encouraging students to remain grounded in faith, integrity and the values that have guided the nation’s development.
Vanuatu High Commissioner to Fiji, Viran Brown, described the debate competition as a collective investment in Vanuatu’s future leaders, acknowledging the collaboration between the High Commission, the Vanuatu Students’ Association, Balance of Power and other partners in creating opportunities for young Ni-Vanuatu to grow.
“I see this opportunity as a valuable seed that, as a collective, we have planted in the hearts and minds of our young people at this crucial time of their learning journey, academically, professionally and spiritually. When our young people engage in programmes supported by strong role model leaders and committed partners, it creates hope and a pathway for our young people. It is translating those words into visible action that has a lasting impact.”
High Commissioner Brown also acknowledged Balance of Power’s continued support in creating and sustaining spaces where young people can develop their leadership potential while remaining grounded in their identity, values and culture.
Balance of Power Co-Executive Director, Mereani Rokotuibau said the program was pleased to support the initiative, recognising the importance of engaging young people in conversations about leadership and nation-building early in their educational journey.
“The reason why we are investing in these types of initiatives is because we recognise the importance of getting our young people, the next generation of leaders, involved in important conversations about building our nation. We believe these conversations should begin early. It’s not about waiting until students graduate and enter the workforce.”
The university debate competition builds on the success of Vanuatu’s national secondary school debate programme, first introduced as a pilot in Port Vila in 2023. Organised in partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Port Vila, Balance of Power and Titan FX, the programme provides secondary school students with opportunities to debate issues of national importance while developing confidence, critical thinking and public speaking skills. Following its success, the initiative expanded to Sanma Province in 2026, extending its reach to more young people across Vanuatu.
The Fiji competition reflects a shared commitment by the Vanuatu High Commission, the Vanuatu Students’ Association and supporting partners to invest in the next generation of leaders by creating opportunities for dialogue, civic engagement and leadership development among Ni-Vanuatu students studying abroad.
As Vanuatu celebrates its 46th Independence Anniversary, the debate competition served as a reminder that investing in young people today is an investment in the nation’s future, one where informed, confident and values-driven leaders will help shape the Vanuatu of tomorrow.