PRESS RELEASE

May 3, 2008

PAP Hosts African Schools Debating Championship

The President of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) Hon. Dr. Gertrude Mongella, MP, today addressed the Second African Schools Debating Championship which was hosted by PAP at its Precincts in Midrand, South Africa.

In her address, Hon. Mongella briefed the participants on the significance of institutions like PAP in a continent plagued by famine, conflict and other problems. She said that PAP supports and encourages initiatives, such as this Championship, because this was a way in which African citizens interacted with institutions like PAP. She added that the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow. She hoped that those taking part in the debating championship would grow to become future Members of PAP.

At the end of the competition, the Clerk of Parliament, Mr Murumba Werunga, handed out the prizes to the winners.

The Second African Schools Debating Championship brought together 190 students from ten African countries.