Over 340 students from more than 15 tertiary institutions in Zambia participated in the 2025 National Inter-University Debate Competition, which was held from September 24–26, 2025, to discuss antimicrobial resistance (AMR), one of the world’s most pressing health threats..
The three-day event co-hosted by ZNPHI-AMRCC and ReAct Africa, themed “Youth Voices for a Healthier, Sustainable Future,” served as a dynamic platform for young people to explore AMR from a One Health perspective, highlighting its impact on human health, animal health, agriculture, and the environment.
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Purpose and Objectives
The debate aimed to raise awareness, inspire critical thinking, and strengthen youth engagement in Zambia’s national response to AMR. Key objectives included:
- Promoting understanding of AMR causes, consequences, and prevention.
- Encouraging evidence-based argumentation and policy awareness.
- Building a network of informed youth advocates for antimicrobial stewardship.
Highlights and Achievements
Winners: Levy Mwanawasa Medical University emerged as the overall winner, with University of Zambia coming in second and the University of Lusaka placing third.
Broad Participation: Students from diverse disciplines — medicine, agriculture, law, pharmacy, communication, and public health all debated AMR issues.
Thematic Focus: All motions centered on AMR-related challenges, such as antibiotic misuse, policy gaps, and pharmaceutical accountability.
Youth Empowerment: Students demonstrated remarkable research and understanding, transforming technical concepts into accessible messages for peers and the public.
Media Coverage: The finals aired on the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC), with significant social media reach of 5,634 users and over 590 engagements, amplifying AMR awareness nationwide.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 AMR Debates reaffirmed the critical role of young voices in Zambia to address AMR. By strengthening partnerships, providing technical resources, and expanding outreach, the debate competition can evolve into a flagship national initiative for AMR education and advocacy.
More from "Youth Engagement"
- AMR Leaders Program
- Maarifa Kids Project
- African Youth AMR Alliance Task Force Launch
- African Youth Position Statement on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
- Policy Brief-Engaging Youth in Antimicrobial Resistance at the Country and Regional Level
- Broadening Efforts in Youth Engagement
- AMR Game Launch
- Engaging Youth Through Country Structures and Institutions
- Zambia National AMR Debates for Tertiary Students