March 13, 2026 – Antigua and Barbuda’s debating team has begun its campaign to defend the regional crown at the 54th Leeward Islands Debating Competition (LIDC) currently underway in Nevis, St. Kitts and Nevis.
On March 11, the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS) debate team officially departed Antigua to participate in the prestigious regional event, which brings together student debaters from across the Leeward Islands for several days of spirited intellectual exchange.
The delegation of 25 members is led by Dr. Na-Ajele Williams Buffonge, Vice President of ABCAS.
This year’s competition, hosted at the Nevis Performing Arts Centre (NEPAC), features six teams representing the Leeward Islands: Defending Champions Antigua and Barbuda, Host Team Nevis, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Team Anguilla and Team Montserrat.
Together the teams will debate motions reflecting some of the Caribbean’s most pressing social, economic, and governance questions, reinforcing the competition’s reputation as one of the region’s most respected intellectual forums for young people.
Opening Night Result
The competition opened on Thursday, March 12, with St. Kitts facing Montserrat on the motion: “U.S. deportation policies are a major catalyst for crime in the Caribbean.”
After a closely contested debate, Montserrat emerged victorious with 610 points to St. Kitts’ 591, securing a place in the semi-final round. Montserrat’s second speaker, Etiyenn Udoh, was named Best Speaker of the debate, delivering a standout presentation that helped anchor the team’s winning performance.
Tonight, Friday, March 13, St. Maarten and Anguilla will debate the motion: “Ministerial interference in the public sector undermines good governance in the Caribbean” for the other spot in the semi-finals.
Antigua and Barbuda Enters at the Semi-Final Stage
Attention will then turn to the semi-final round scheduled for Saturday, March 14, where Montserrat will face defending champions Antigua and Barbuda on the motion: “The reliance on tourism in the Caribbean region undermines sustainable development.” The other semi-final will pitch Host Nevis against the winner of the St. Maarten vs. Anguilla match on the motion: “Regional integration should be prioritized over global alliances.”
Championship Final
The competition will culminate on Sunday, March 15, at 5:00 p.m., when the finalists will debate the motion: “Caribbean governments should provide free tertiary education to citizens up to the undergraduate degree level.”
A Platform for the Region’s Young Voices
Beyond competition, the Leeward Islands Debating Competition continues to serve as a platform for developing critical thinking, research, public speaking and leadership among Caribbean youth.
For Antigua and Barbuda, the tournament also carries the pride of defending the title. As the rounds unfold in Nevis, the nation will be watching closely as its young debaters take the stage once again, seeking to demonstrate the analytical strength and persuasive skill required to keep the Leeward Islands debating crown at home.