The official launch of the 2021 University Students’ Debates took place on 10th September, 2021 at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, ODeL Auditorium in Blantyre. The Guest of Honor gracing this event was Mrs. Monaosyile Mhango, Director of Public Finance Management Systems in the Ministry of Finance. The students’ debates are being organized by a consortium of ECAMA, Oxfam in Malawi and LUANAR with financial support from the European Union (EU).

The official launch transpired at the second debates in the preliminary round where defending champions Catholic University of Malawi (CUNIMA) faced off against Blantyre International University (BIU).

In his opening remarks, ECAMA Executive Director, Frank Chikuta, said the consortium’s mission is to provide practical solutions to Malawi’s development challenges and opportunities. “The debates, therefore, provide the youth an opportunity to express their views and influence decision making by policy makers”, said Chikuta.

This year’s students’ debates are being held under the theme “YOUTH ENCOURAGEMENT ON PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT: A CATALYST FOR A TRANSPARENT, ACCOUNTABLE, EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE PFM SYSTEM”.

In her key note address, Mrs. Mhango briefly explained the project the Malawi Government together with the EU were implementing called the “Chuma cha Dziko” Programme.

“The stakeholders, consisting of the consortium, are running a project titled “ENHANCED EVIDENCE-BASED RESEARCH TO INFORM PUBLIC POLICY DECISION MAKING IN PFM” which falls under this project” said Mhango.

She acknowledged the participants and expressed gratitude in their involvement in the debates and Public Finance Management (PFM) as a whole, and by sharing their knowledge and perceptions on the strengths and weaknesses of the PFM.

CUNIMA were handed a shock early exit to this year’s University Students Debates and lost to BIU in a tightly contested debate. The two teams debated on the topic “Can corruption and abuse of public resources be stopped in Malawi to ensure development?”. Balunji Mwanjasi, Roberta Kanjelo, George Phiri and Brave Mazula carried the CUNIMA flag as opposers whereas for the BIU it was Jean Ingabile, Jean Chimwaza, Pempho Kelvin Mwanza and Ronnie Merrick as proposers.

The judges of this debate round were Janet Simbeye, Research Economist, Lowina Mwasigala, an experienced Bank Examiner and chief judge was Donasius Pathera, seasoned Development Economist but also PFM specialist.

Up next is a clash between 2019 Students’ Debates semi-finalists, the Malawi Assemblies of God University and debutantes – Pentecostal Life University on September 16, 2021.