Critical thinking will take center stage in this year’s Asia-Pacific Applied Economics Association National Secondary Schools Essay Competition, with students from Years 11 to 13 encouraged to tackle issues affecting Fiji’s future.

Vice President Professor Susan Sharma says the competition goes beyond essay writing, aiming to build students’ confidence to analyze and speak on issues under this year’s theme, “Climate Sustainability and Effective Public Policy – Empowering Youths to Build a Resilient Fiji.”

“The purpose here is not just to motivate them to write essays, but at the end of the day, the purpose is to instill resilience in our youths, confidence and a sense of responsibility.”

Echoing those sentiments, Brand Ambassador Ashlin Prasad states the competition gives young people a platform to express their ideas way beyond the classrooms.

“The core purpose is to promote climate sustainability, research, critical thinking, leadership, evidence based policy amongst secondary school students in Fiji.”