There is no one-size-fits-all model for the national competitions that feed into the IPSC. Here, we catch up with Malta to find out what drives them, how contests run and the challenges and highlights involved.
ESU Malta has had a tough few years. Three years ago it was running oracy programmes in two primary schools and, since its inception in 2009, some 750 sixth form students have taken part in its public speaking and debating academies and competitions. But in 2022, the Maltese government withdrew its funding and that all ceased – until now.
Determined that other young people should have the same opportunities that he had, former Maltese public speaking competition winner Sean Ellul has worked with Chair Malcolm Naudi and the trustees to come up with a novel way of restarting the event – partnering with the FreeHour app, the largest student and youth platform in Malta, to engage directly with 16-20 year olds who want to improve their communication skills.
‘Giving young people the permission, and confidence, to make themselves heard on topics that matter to them is an endeavour that has far-reaching implications, the repercussions of which I’m blessed to personally feel today,’ says Sean. ‘The world becomes just a little bit smaller when you get to know people from across the globe.’
Sean, a Metaverse developer and a former coordinator of communications for the Council of Europe, produced a short video, released on FreeHour’s social mediachannels, inviting young people to apply for a ‘bootcamp’ day of public speaking training ahead of the competition proper. It garnered over 4,000 views, more than 300 likes, and 50 young people signed up – although in the end, only 25 attended.
The day – coached by Sean and oracy teacher and ESU Malta trustee Pia Xammit – was a big success, with participants not only growing in confidence and skill, but enjoyingthe opportunity to network with like-minded peers. ‘It was really fun,’ says Gozotan Abigail Pace who eventually placed third. ‘When I was young, I was told I was an introvert… I realised I’m actually quite social and thrive in situations like these.’
Despite the numbers being lower than hoped, the standard of speeches was high, with topics spanning Barbie, Magellan, European politics and Aristotle’s concept of actuality vs potentiality. Winner Yasmine Capar, who hopes to study theatre in London one day, certainly appreciated the diversity. ‘I go to a school where you have to sit an exam to get in… you’d expect the conversations to be more appealing, but sometimes I find them dull. I’ve had more interesting conversations here than I’ve had in months.’
As well as FreeHour, Sean successfully pulled in sponsorship from organisations including the Parliamentary Secretariat for Youth Research and Innovation, GasanMamo insurance and Campus Hub Malta, and is under no illusion about the scale of the task to keep this model going in the future. But he’s up for the challenge. ‘Witnessing ESU Malta make a comeback was definitely an emotional moment for me,’ he smiles. ‘Seeing so many young, bright minds find a stage to voice their opinions reminded me of the importance of the ESU at local, grassroots level.’
