By Antonio Dey | HGPTV Newsroom
The Cummings Lodge Youth Movement has emerged victorious in Round One of the prestigious Speaker’s Regional Debating Competition after presenting compelling arguments that the process of Free, Prior, and Informed Consultation (FPIC) with Indigenous Peoples has been unsuccessful in Guyana.
The competition, held on Tuesday, saw youth teams engage in spirited and thought-provoking debates before a distinguished panel of judges.
The Cummings Lodge Youth Movement effectively convinced the judges by highlighting significant shortcomings in the consultation processes, including the lack of genuine inclusion, limited access to information, and inadequate consideration of Indigenous perspectives during decision-making on their ancestral lands and resources.
Their performance earned them praise from judges and the audience, showcasing their analytical thinking, thorough preparation, and confident presentation.
The winning team will advance in the competition, further amplifying youth perspectives on critical national and social issues.
