A Celebration of Excellence in Public Speaking and Debating
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World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championship
What Is WIDPSC
The World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships (WIDPSC) is an annual international competition bringing together talented high-school speakers from around the world. Founded in 1988, it challenges students across four disciplines: debating, impromptu speaking, interpretive reading, and either persuasive or after-dinner speaking. It offers young people a global stage to showcase their ideas, connect across cultures and develop their voice. The 2027 championship will take place in Shanghai, China.
- Globally Recognized
WIDPSC founded in 1988 gathers the brightest minds from over the world , providing a platform for students to excel across various categories, including debate , interpretive reading, persuasive speaking and after dinner speaking. It is more than just a competition; it’s an arena where young voices shape ideas, challenge norms, and inspire action.
UAE Representation
Our journey began in Canberra, Australia (2024), where Team UAE was recognised as a Promising International Team, marking an encouraging debut on the world stage. In Malaysia (2025), we advanced further, securing a Semi-Finalist position in After-Dinner Speaking, demonstrating our growing competitive strength. Our most remarkable milestone followed in Bristol, United Kingdom (2026), where Team UAE achieved Grand Finalist status and First Runner-Up in Interpretive Reading, reflecting three years of dedication, perseverance and exceptional progress.
Our Next Chapter: China 2027
With each championship, Team UAE continues to raise the bar, nurturing confident communicators, independent thinkers and future global leaders.As we set our sights on WIDPSC 2027 in China, our ambition is stronger than ever: to build upon our achievements, embrace new challenges and make the UAE proud on the international stage.
TEAM UAE — Empowering Voices. Pursuing Excellence. Inspiring the Future.
A Global Stage
Represent the UAE on an international platform, sharing ideas and perspectives with talented young speakers from around the world.
Confident Communication
Develop the confidence to speak with clarity and impact, whether addressing an audience, participating in interviews or taking on leadership roles.
Critical Thinking & Persuasion
Turn ideas into compelling arguments through research, logical reasoning and persuasive speaking while learning to consider different viewpoints.
Composure Under Pressure
Strengthen the ability to think on your feet, respond to challenging questions and communicate effectively in high-pressure situations.
International Connections
Build friendships with ambitious students from diverse backgrounds, exchange ideas across cultures and develop a broader global perspective.
Future-Ready Skills
Enrich university applications with meaningful experiences that demonstrate initiative, intellectual curiosity, commitment and personal growth.
Gallery
WIDPSC Team Trials 2027 -Registration Open ! As with previous years the top 10 speakers from the trials will secure spots in the UAE Delegation.
A Platform for Growth
WIDPSC is not just about winning; it is about growth, learning, and building connections that transcend borders. For the UAE participants, the competition was a transformative experience, enabling them to develop confidence, resilience, and a deeper appreciation for diverse viewpoints.
Looking Ahead
The UAE’s participation in WIDPSC reaffirms its commitment to nurturing talent and empowering young minds to be future leaders. As we celebrate the achievements of this year’s delegation, we look forward to continued success in upcoming editions of the championship.
To try out for UAE's team for the World Individual Debate and Public Speaking Championships, you must complete the following tasks, by recording them on video:
Task 1: Persuasive Speaking
Each competitor must think of a problem and prepare a problem–solution speech.
The identified problem must be real and/or feasible, present or within the near future. Imagined and/or fictional problems are unacceptable, and neither are motivational speeches, monologues, or dramatic interpretations. The participant must not adopt a political party and there will be zero tolerance for hate speech.
This is a sample: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxjX-KSG7X8
Limit your speech to 4–5 minutes. Memorized speeches are preferred.
Task 2: Interpretive Reading
Each participant will read a passage of prose or poetry (or a selection of poems) of literary merit, serious or humorous, with an appropriate introduction included in the time limit. The introduction should give an indication of the context of the reading and convey the reasons why it has been chosen. The introduction should be a direct address to the audience, personal and informal.
Remember, this is not the same as elocution.
This is a sample: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3S9pCR2lhA&t=4s
Limit this reading to 4–8 minutes. Do not memorize this. You are reading off. You may sit or stand.
Send both tasks, in one email, to widpscuae@gmail.com no later than 11:59 PM, 17th January 2024. The email must contain your name, grade and school.
Registration form for tryouts for WIDPSC - UAE 2025 - Deadline - 20th of Jan
Get in Touch
Feel free to ask your queries and we will get back to you.