Bridging the Gaps Across Diverse Spaces

07 August 2024

The Asia Pacific Public Speaking Championships, held last 03-04 August 2024, united a vibrant and diverse group of voices from across the Asia Pacific region. Over the course of two days, the event featured talented speakers, each representing a unique cultural and national background. Participants hailed from countries including China, China, Hong Kong, India, Singapore, South Korea, the United States, and Vietnam, making the tournament a true showcase of the region’s rich diversity.

Held virtually over Zoom, the championship featured a modified WIDPSC format, where participants are required to navigate three distinct speaking segments: impromptu speaking, persuasive speaking, and interpretive reading. Each segment tested a unique set of skills, pushing speakers to be adaptable, creative, and compelling in their delivery. Despite the virtual setting, the event vividly showcased how powerful communication can bridge the gap between screens and physical spaces, proving that effective communication transcends the limitations of a traditional stage.

Among the many talented participants, a few stood out for their exceptional performances across all three segments. These young and talented speakers not only demonstrated mastery of the technical aspects of public speaking but also brought a level of passion that resonated deeply with the judges and audience alike.

Champion, Impromptu Speaking, Senior Category

  • Jiyoon Lee, Groton School

Co-Champions, Interpretive Reading, Senior Category

  • Yoonje Jin, Seoul Foreign School
  • Shin Woo Kim, North London Collegiate School Jeju

Champion, Persuasive Speaking, Senior Category

  • Minyong Kim, Korean Minjok Leadership Academy

Champion, Impromptu Speaking, Junior Category

  • Keren Chen, Shanghai American School

Co-Champions, Interpretive Reading, Junior Category

  • Ishan Harishankar, Kellett School, Kowloon Bay
  • Jaiveer Bansal, Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon

Champion, Persuasive Speaking, Junior Category

  • Hoi Ying Chan, S.K.H. Mung Yan Primary School

Additionally, we are thrilled to acknowledge the finalists and top speakers. Their remarkable performances and dedication to public speaking were pivotal in elevating this year’s edition of the championships.

Finalists per Speaking Segment (Senior Category)

Jane Helen Lee, Dulwich College Seoul
Wing Yu Kan, St Stephen’s College
Shin Woo Kim, North London Collegiate School Jeju
Lily Liang, Chinese International School Hong Kong
Junseo Lee, Seoul Foreign School

Yoonje Jin, Seoul Foreign School
Leanne Yoon, Daegu International School
Yaewon Cho, Hankuk Academy of Foreign Studies
Yeuhn Kim, Seoul Foreign School

Finalists per Speaking Segment (Junior Category)

Jaiveer Bansal, Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon
Keren Chen, Shanghai American School
Yi Rong, Shanghai Starriver Bilingual School
Jeeyoo Kim, Chadwick International School
Zooey Allen, Seoul Foreign School

Ishan Harishankar, Kellett School, Kowloon Bay.
Kevin J Hong, Eaglebrook School
Miya Lee, Chinese International School
Josephine Lee, Chadwick International School
Ye Jun Cho, Lycee francais de Seoul

Overall Best Speakers
Top 10 Overall Best Speakers

Co-Overall Best: Leanne Yoon, Daegu International School
Co-Overall Best: Minyong Kim, Korean Minjok Leadership Academy
Co-Overall Best: Jiyoon Lee, Groton School
4th Best: Yoonje Jin, Seoul Foreign School
5th Best: Shin Woo Kim, North London Collegiate School Jeju

6th Best: Wing Yu Kan, St Stephen’s College
Co-7th Best: Lily Liang, Chinese International School Hong Kong
Co-7th Best: Jane Helen Lee, Dulwich College Seoul
Co-9th Best: Junseo Lee, Seoul Foreign School
Co-9th Best: Dabin Kim, North London Collegiate School Jeju

Best Speakers per Speaking Segment (Senior Category)
Top 10 Best Persuasive Speakers

Overall Best: Yoonje Jin, Seoul Foreign School
Co-2nd Best: Leanne Yoon, Daegu International School
Co-2nd Best: Jane Helen Lee, Dulwich College Seoul
Co-2nd Best: Shin Woo Kim, North London Collegiate School Jeju
Co-5th Best: Wing Yu Kan, St Stephen’s College

Co-5th Best: Lily Liang, Chinese International School Hong Kong
Co-5th Best: Junseo Lee, Seoul Foreign School
Co-5th Best: YEUHN KIM, Seoul Foreign School
Co-9th Best: Minyong Kim, Korean Minjok Leadership Academy
Co-9th Best: Yaewon Cho, Hankuk Academy of Foreign Studies

Best Speakers per Speaking Segment (Junior Category)
Top 10 Best Persuasive Speakers

Overall Best: Hoi Ying Chan, S.K.H. Mung Yan Primary School
2nd Best: Ishan Harishankar, Kellett School, Kowloon Bay.
Co-3rd Best: Josephine Lee, Chadwick International School
Co-3rd Best: Jeeyoo Kim, Chadwick International School
5th Best: Jaiveer Bansal, Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon
6th Best: Keren Chen, Shanghai American School

Co-7th Best: ZOOEY ALLEN, Seoul Foreign School
Co-7th Best: Yi Rong, Shanghai Starriver Bilingual School
Co-7th Best: Miya Lee, Chinese International School
Co-7th Best: Ye Jun Cho, Lycee francais de Seoul
Co-7th Best: Kevin J Hong, Eaglebrook School

This year, the Asia Pacific Public Speaking Championships proudly welcomed a diverse and distinguished array of institutions. We commend the following institutions for their vital role in advancing the competitive public speaking scene, creating an environment where both experienced and emerging speakers could thrive and showcase their talents.

  • Acellus Academy
  • Bugok Girls Middle School
  • Calvin Manitoba International
  • Chadwick International School
  • Chinese International School
  • Chinese International School Hong Kong
  • Chung Cheng High School (Main)
  • Daegu International School
  • Daemyeong Middle School
  • Dalton School Hong Kong
  • Dewey School Haiphong
  • Dulwich College Seoul
  • Eaglebrook School
  • Eunoia Junior College
  • Groton School
  • Hankuk Academy of Foreign Studies
  • Harrow International School Hong Kong
  • Kellett School, Kowloon Bay.
  • Kodaikanal International School
  • Korean Minjok Leadership Academy
  • Lycee francais de Seoul
  • Maris Stella High School (Primary)
  • Methodist Girls’ School Singapore
  • Nanyang Polytechnic
  • North London Collegiate School Jeju
  • S.K.H. Mung Yan Primary School
  • Seoul Foreign School
  • Seoul International School
  • Seoul Scholars International
  • Shanghai American School
  • Shanghai Starriver Bilingual School
  • Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon
  • St Stephen’s College
  • The Hockaday School
  • Unhyun Elementary School

Debating has traditionally been a space for showcasing a range of perspectives conveyed through excellent articulation and intellectual skill on a global stage. EduDrift stands at the forefront of integrating technology and education to nurture young debaters to acquire excellence in national and international debate circles. The Asia Pacific Schools Debate Championships 2024 exemplifies EduDrift’s commitment to advancing the field and developing future debate leaders. We commend our outstanding participants for their achievements and eagerly anticipate continuing to build on this tradition in future editions of the Asia Pacific Schools Debate Championships.