By Samuel Gillis
In an intense showdown, the St. Joseph High Law Society Youth Group emerged triumphant over the Emerald Master Guide Club Youth Group in Match 4, Round 1 for District 11 of the Speaker’s Regional Youth Debating Competition 2024.
The debate centered on the moot, “Guyana should implement stricter regulations to protect its biodiversity,” with 20-year-old Master Guide Neron Cyrus representing the Emerald Master Guide Club and Jayda Jeune of the St. Joseph High Law Society Youth Group as the opposing debater.
Cyrus passionately argued for the necessity of stricter regulations, citing direct threats to biodiversity such as overfishing, overhunting, forest fires, and indiscriminate land use practices.
He emphasized that stricter regulations would alleviate the burden on the nation’s biodiversity.
However, Jeune countered with a strong defense, highlighting existing regulations and legislation embedded in the constitution, including Article 36 and the government’s updated biodiversity plan for 2012–2020.
She argued that current regulations are sufficient and emphasized the importance of adherence to existing laws rather than implementing stricter regulations.
After careful deliberation, the judges awarded 201 points to the St. Joseph High Law Society Youth Group, securing their victory over the Emerald Master Guide Club Youth Group, which received 194 points for their proposition.
Chief Judge Melissa Dow-Richardson commended both teams for their eloquence and depth of argumentation.
As the St. Joseph High Law Society Youth Group advances in the competition, anticipation grows for their future debates, showcasing the eloquence and analytical skills of Guyana’s youth.