Public speaking, debate competition launched to raise sustainability awareness

The competition is accepting applications from Jan. 10 to February 9, 2022, and open to Vietnamese students between the ages of 11 and 24.

With population growth, urbanization and global warming threatening sustainability, “Speak to Inspire, Vietnam” will provide a forum for Vietnamese youth to discuss and enhance their understanding of sustainability and global issues.

Victoria Furniss, Vice President of Global Public Policy at Netflix speaks at the launching ceremony of the competition. Photo by NPX Point Avenue

The competition consists of three stages, across three competing categories, including speech, storytelling and debate. To apply, students from junior, senior, and university levels will need to submit a 5-minute video in which they can choose to present, tell a story, or debate on the sustainability topic via the website www.speak2inspire-asia.com between Jan. 10 and Feb. 9.

The submitted videos will be judged based on content, strategy, and style by a panel of national and international experts to determine the top 100 speakers to advance to Round 2. Finalists will be invited to partake in our hands-on Intensive Training Camp, led by international subject matter experts, and a Final Showcase.

The competition officially kicks off on January 10 with a total award of up to VND2 billion.Photo by NPX Point Avenue

Victoria Furniss, vice president of Global Public Policy at Netflix, said: “Netflix is at the start of a crucial journey in Southeast Asia to listen and to learn about sustainability priorities in the region. I’m confident that “Speak to Inspire, Vietnam” will spur more meaningful conversations on topics such as environmental protection and climate change among the local community, and especially among youth. I look forward to gaining new and insightful perspectives from our participants.”

Holly Lindquist Thomas, chief of the Environment, Science, Technology and Health Section, U.S. Embassy, said: “This initiative will prepare young leaders to tackle serious issues of climate change and sustainability. In recent years, the U.S. government has invested millions of dollars in local communities through environmental programs such as the Mekong-U.S. partnership.”

Tommy Nguyen, COO of NPX Point Avenue, said: “Ideas inspire progress and move the world. NPX Point Avenue’s mission is to empower tomorrow’s leaders to transform the world through wisdom, integrity, and compassion.

“Through ‘Speak to Inspire, Vietnam’, we aim to raise awareness of sustainability among the local community and help Vietnamese youth hone the art of communication as they share their passion before small and large audiences.”

NPX Point Avenue is a leading education technology company in Southeast Asia that provides K-12 private bilingual schooling and K-12 after-school programming. Pairing holistic education with the latest technologies, it specializes in STEAM, English learning, test preparation, competitive debating, admissions consulting, and life coaching.

Since 2018, NPX Point Avenue has taught and mentored thousands of students from Vietnam and Thailand to reach their educational goals, including gaining admissions into top global universities.

For more information about the application process, visit the website: www.speak2inspire-asia.com.