KINGSTON, Jamaica – Teams will be vying for a share of almost $5 million in cash and prizes in the 2025 edition of the Public Sector Debate Competition.

The highly anticipated fourth staging of the event was launched on Tuesday at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

It is organised by the Transformation Implementation Unit (TIU) in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service.

This year, 26 teams – 19 returning and seven new teams – will compete, matching debating skills and wit as they discuss topical issues facing the public sector and the nation.

Executive Director of TIU, Maria Thompson Walters, in highlighting the growth of the competition, said it has become a key event on the calendar of the public sector.

“It remains the only platform in the public sector that brings central government and public-sector entities together,” she pointed out.

She informed that in response to feedback, an additional preliminary round will be introduced this year, which means that each team will play two matches before elimination.

Thompson Walters said that the Public Sector Debate Competition is more than just securing a victory.

“It’s also about fostering a culture of open dialogue and progressive solutions. The competition is a testament to the power of debating. It sharpens our critical thinking; it refines persuasive communication and cultivates the ability to engage in respectful discourse,” she said.

She urged debaters to be mindful of the overuse of artificial intelligence (AI) during the competition, warning that teams could be penalised.

Deputy Financial Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Public Service, Wayne Jones, who delivered the main address on behalf of Portfolio Minister, Fayval Williams, noted that debates allow public-sector employees to explore and discuss challenges facing various government agencies and the nation.

“It is heartwarming to see so many of you here today as you get ready to participate in the competition. It reassures me that we are ready to tackle the challenges facing the public sector and, indeed, our dearly beloved country. As I look around the room, I see a group of individuals who are not just participating in debate competition, but I see future leaders, innovators, problem solvers,” Jones said.

He told the participants:  “Through this competition, you will debate issues that are central to the future of our public service. You will tackle topics that require bold thinking and innovative solutions. I urge you to embrace this opportunity with passion and with purpose.”

Assistance and training for the debaters will be provided by the Jamaica Association of Debating and Empowerment (JADE) Limited.

Founder and Executive Director of JADE, Germaine Barrett and his team, have been partners in the Public Sector Debate Competition since the first staging in 2019.

–         JIS