GDC-HARVARD 2026

Global Debate Championship 2026

Harvard Merdeka Edition · Kuala Lumpur · December 16-20

Somewhere in the world, 230 people are about to change how they see themselves. Be one of them.

Think about the last time you had something to say and the room was ready to listen. That is what we are building: five days in the buzzing heart of Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, where debaters, future diplomats, researchers, and young professionals from every continent sit down and argue about the things that matter.

You will speak for your country. You will go up against people who think nothing like you. Some will beat you in an exchange, and some you will beat. By Friday you will argue sharper, listen better, and carry a network that spans the globe.

We are putting this championship together with VOOICE ASSEMBLY USA, through the European Voice Assembly, alongside the Harvard Debate Society, the French Debate Association, and the European Debate Society. And at the end, one team lifts the Harvard Merdeka Crown and the Harvard Cup.

Four tracks. Four arguments worth having.

AI Superintelligence and the Future of Humanity. Machines are getting smarter every month. We want to know what that means for the rest of us, and who gets to decide.

Off-World Sovereignty and Space Law. Who owns the Moon? Who profits from what we mine in orbit? We are writing the rules before anyone has claimed the territory.

Energy Transition and Climate Economics. Every country wants a livable planet, and every country wants to grow. We will debate how both can be true.

National Sovereignty vs. Human Rights. When does the world step in, and when does it have no right to? Expect no easy answers.

What your week looks like

Parliamentary debate rounds. Diplomatic negotiations. Floor-speaking sessions where your voice gets heard. A Kuala Lumpur Urban Navigation Treasure Hunt that sends you through the city with your new teammates. And a Malaysian Heritage Gala Night to close out the week in style.

Then come the things you take home. Every delegate receives triple-accredited international certifications. High performers may earn recommendation letters for university, scholarship, or job applications. Outstanding speakers may also receive institutional recognition and media highlights, and everyone joins the VOOICE ASSEMBLY USA leadership network.

Choose how you join

We have set aside 40 competitive scholarship seats, and there are three ways in.

Fully Funded. We get you there and look after you once you arrive. That means round-trip airfare to Kuala Lumpur, five nights in a shared room at a 4-star Bukit Bintang hotel, daily breakfast, lunch, and networking coffee breaks, full access to every debate and session, the Treasure Hunt, the Gala Night, visa invitation letter and documentation support, a debater kit with souvenirs and merchandise, and your certifications.

Partially Funded. The same package, minus airfare. You book your flight, and we handle the rest.

Self-Funded Delegate. Full access to the debates, sessions, and activities, plus floor speaking, networking, the Treasure Hunt, Gala Night, visa invitation support, your debater kit, and certifications.

Who we want in the room

You are between 16 and 35. You care about debate, diplomacy, leadership, or the state of the world. That is the whole list.

Any nationality, any field of study. High school students, university students, seasoned debaters, young professionals, researchers, advocates, and aspiring diplomats are all welcome. Experience helps, but curiosity gets you in the door.

How to apply

1. Go to the European Voice Assembly's official application website.
2. Select Global Debate Championship 2026: Harvard Merdeka Edition.
3. Pick your category: Fully Funded, Partially Funded, or Self-Funded.
4. Fill in the online form.
5. Upload your documents and submit.

Have these ready: passport details, a recent passport-size photo, your CV, academic information, a personal statement, and any proof of debate, leadership, or public-speaking experience. Add certificates or achievements if you have them. Send only what the form asks for in your category.

What the selection team looks for

Scholarships are competitive and awarded on merit. We read for a clear sense of purpose, real speaking potential, sharp thinking, engagement with global issues, a commitment to dialogue across borders, ethical conduct, and leadership.

Your personal statement carries the most weight, so make it sound like you.

The deadline is November 20, 2026.

Only 230 seats exist, and 40 of them are scholarships. Somebody is going to take them.

Apply now. Make them remember your name.