Team Central, representing the Fiji National University’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, has won the 2026 Dialogue Fiji–FNU Inter-Division Debate Championship.
The competition was held on 26 July 2026 at the FNU Nasinu Campus and brought together student teams from across the university’s divisions in a contest showcasing research, critical thinking, teamwork and public speaking.
Team Northern finished in second place, while Team Western secured third place.
The competition was judged by Ms Emele Duituturaga, Ms Mele Rakai and Ms Barbara Malimali, whose assessment and feedback contributed to the credibility and learning value of the event.
In his welcome address, Dialogue Fiji Executive Director Nilesh Lal said the competition, now in its fourth consecutive year, had grown into an important annual platform for young people to research, deliberate and debate issues of national importance.
“At Dialogue Fiji, youth empowerment is a central part of our work. We believe that young people should not merely be prepared to participate in national life at some distant point in the future. They are citizens today, and their ideas, experiences and perspectives are essential to Fiji’s development,” Mr Lal said.
He said debating helped students develop skills that extended well beyond competition.
“A good debate requires participants to conduct research, evaluate evidence, construct logical arguments, listen carefully and respond respectfully to views with which they may disagree. These are not merely competition skills. They are democratic skills,” he said.
Mr Lal also acknowledged the Office of the Registrar and Student Support Services at FNU for co-organising the competition and thanked Brot für die Welt for supporting Dialogue Fiji’s youth empowerment and civic participation initiatives.
Dialogue Fiji congratulates Team Central on becoming the 2026 champions, and commends Team Northern, Team Western and all participating students for their outstanding performances.
