University debate has been hosted by NGO-CEDAW since 2018. In order to circle students from diverse universities, NGO-CEDAW has been actively coordinated with universities and youth groups who share the aspects To raise awareness for the public and relevant stakeholders to see the different cases about gender issues happening in Cambodia through youths’ discussion and perspective; to create a platform where youths could make their voices and perspectives heard related to women’s right and gender issues; to give opportunities to the youths to showcase their skills in public speaking and debate skill; mainstream an understanding of CEDAW key principles, frameworks, and conventions in the countries that have ratified the treaty in opposing the effects of discrimination; to develop advocacy campaigns or educational initiatives to promote gender awareness and inclusivity; and to offer participants full experiences and understanding about the current issues and equip them with skills needed for their future endeavors and positive cause to the society through trainings, mentoring sessions, and advises. From the online recruitment to the final debate, the team needs at least 4-month to discuss and proceed the activities. The theme of this is Women and Globalization. Each process is shared as below:
Online recruiting: 23 March 2025, through a 3-week online recruiting, the team received more than 70 applications. They were reviewed and shortlisted by the recruitment team to 50 applicants for the interview round.
Assessment and interview: A short orientation on CEDAW and the recruitment rules were provided to all the shortlisted candidates in the morning to ensure they are informed and ready for the interview session in the afternoon. After the interview sessions, the recruitment team had a few meetings to discuss and finalize the finalist candidates based on the scoring sheet provided. After a very carful and nuetral discussion, 16 candidates were eventually selected. It’s noted that the recruitment team consist of NGO-CEDAW, RULErs, volunteers youth, and debate alumni.
Orientation: 30 March 2025, NGO-CEDAW and RULErs successfully and gratefully co-organized the Orientation for the 16 finalists. The objective of this activity is to provide an opportunity for the candidates to
✅ Learn the conditions and the criteria/rules of the debate
✅ Understand clearly around the core values and the debate timing
✅ Build a friendly relationship among the candidates and the mentors
In addition to that, there was a sharing session by the candidates of 4th season as well. This activity has been always appreciated to carry on with the involvement of the former candidates.
Mentor training: One mentor training session and one mentor sharing session were hosted to allow our volunteers mentors to get ready for their mentorship journey and learn from the expereince of the other mentors. This is noted that the former debaters are invited to apply to be a mentor to offer their support for the 16 debater for the period of 2-month.
Training 1: One day training on Gender related topic is provided to the candidates and the mentors where they can work together to gather important information and evidence to prepare of their competition.
Training 2 and Mock debate: Another full day training on public speaking, debate technique, team work, and research was provided one week afet the first training. After that, mock debate was arranged for the candidates to practice and rehearse like a real debate competition where the judges are able to provide more feedback and advice for them to improve for the real stage competition. Two topics were debated by two rounds:
Topic 1: The growth of globalization has increased the number of female students in higher education. ការរីកចម្រើននៃសកលភាវូបនីយកម្ម បានបង្កើនចំនួនសិស្សស្រីនៅថ្នាក់ឧត្តមសិក្សា
Topic 2: The increased participation of women in decision-making roles is a factor in overcoming gender stereotypes. ការកើនឡើងនូវការចូលរួមរបស់ស្រ្តីក្នុងតួនាទីជាអ្នកសម្រេចចិត្តពិតជាកត្តាជំនះនូវផ្នត់គំនិតយេនឌ័រ
Semi-final round: The candidates have more than 2-week to do research, gathering evidence, prepare proposition and argument, and rehearse with their mentors for the whole weeks with the following up by the organizing if they need any supports. Semi-final was held with the joyful moments from the Semi-final round – University debate 2025 “Youth’s Perspectives, S5” The event was successful organized with the presences of the potential debaters, honored judges, volunteers, and the pubic audience.
Topic 1: Failure to implement Code of Ethics for Cambodian Journalists is a factor driving the rise of a victim-blaming culture. ការមិនអនុវត្តនូវក្រមសីលធម៌វិជ្ជាជីវៈអ្នកសារព័ត៌មានជាកត្តាជំរុញឲ្យកើនឡើងនូវវប្បធម៍ស្តីបន្ទោសជនរងគ្រោះ
Topic 2: The increasing use of social media as a driving force is harming women rather than helping them. ការកើនឡើងនៃការប្រើប្រាស់បណ្តាញសង្គមជាកត្តាជំរុញនាំឲ្យមានផលប៉ះពាល់ដល់ស្ត្រីជាជាងជួយស្ត្រី។
Final debate: June 15 2025, NGO-CEDAW and RULErs successfully co-organized the Final round of our Annual debate under the topic “Migration is a factor for women to enhance their personal development, family, and society.”
The organizing team would like to pay our gratitude to the 3 judges, mentors for their valuable time and meaningful contribution to this impactful event. Yet, we also want to thanks our volunteers youth who has been supporting from the beginning until the Final of the competition. Once again, congratulations to all debaters for this successful journey.
Topic: Migration is a motivating factor for women to develop themselves, their families, and their society. ការចំណាកស្រុកជាកត្តាជម្រុញ ឱ្យស្រ្តីមានការអភិវឌ្ឍខ្លួនឯង គ្រួសារ និងសង្គមជាតិ
Congratulations the winning team!
Congratulations of the runner up team!
Congratulations to the best team awarded!
Congratulations to all the debaters! ! All of you have won through this meaningful journey.
Activities of the Reflection Day for 2025 University debate – Youth Perspectives Debate, Season 5 🏆🎤🥇held on June 29 2025.
The debaters have shared their experiences in participating in the program for the past 2 months. They were satisfied with the program’s organizing and requested that the program be continued in the coming years. We also want to express our appreciation to all the youth volunteers for their contribution in organizing this project.
Will you join us for the next year’s debate program?
