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About The Programme

About Thy Speech Master

A platform combining public speaking, research, civic participation, and public health awareness to build the next generation of responsible leaders.

Public speaking
🏆 Thy Speech Master
Empowering youth leaders since 2026
The Programme

About Thy Speech Master

Thy Speech Master is a programme and platform that combines public speaking, research, civic participation, multimedia engagement, and public health awareness. In this season, the initiative seeks to strengthen youth leadership and public awareness by encouraging evidence-based conversations.

The programme promotes constructive dialogue and enables students to contribute positively to Zambia's public health awareness efforts.

Tobacco Control
Addiction Prevention
Public Health
Healthy Lifestyles
Youth Empowerment
Community Well-Being
Responsible Citizenship
Apply to Participate
Our Purpose

Vision & Mission

🔭 Our Vision

To inspire a generation of informed, confident, and socially responsible young leaders who use their voices to promote healthier communities and positive social transformation across Zambia and beyond.

🎯 Our Mission

To provide a credible platform that empowers students to communicate evidence-based perspectives on public health issues while strengthening leadership, civic engagement, and public awareness among the youth of Zambia.

Competition Timeline

Key Dates & Milestones

22 May 2026
🚀 Competition Opens
Official launch of The Speech Master 2026. Participant registration and orientation sessions begin.
Late May 2026
📚 Orientation & Mentorship
Participants attend orientation, receive educational materials, and begin public health mentorship activities.
Early June 2026
🎥 Speech Submissions
Participants record and submit their 1–2 minute evidence-based speech videos to the Thy Speech Master team.
Mid June 2026
📢 Public Engagement Phase
Content shared across media platforms. Public awareness activities and community engagement begin.
19 June 2026
🏆 Grand Finale & Awards
Grand Finale event. Top prizes, trophies, certificates, and medals awarded. Champions graduate as Tobacco Control Ambassadors.
World No Tobacco Day 2026

"Unmasking the Appeal"

The 2026 World No Tobacco Day theme — "Unmasking the Appeal – Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction" — calls upon communities, governments, institutions, families, and young people to expose the tactics used to make tobacco and nicotine products appear attractive and socially acceptable.

From colourful packaging and flavours to lifestyle marketing and digital influence, many products are deliberately designed to appeal to younger populations. Young people are often the primary target of sophisticated marketing strategies.

This theme encourages young people to look beyond the marketing and understand the real impacts of tobacco and nicotine addiction on health, families, communities, and national development.

Unmasking Tactics
Youth Ambassadors
Awareness
Public health awareness
Participation

Who Can Participate?

Students currently enrolled in recognised tertiary institutions within Zambia are eligible to apply.

Eligibility

  • Currently enrolled student
  • Recognised Zambian tertiary institution
  • Committed to the full programme
  • Able to produce a 1–2 min speech video

What Participants Will Do

  • Attend orientation and mentorship sessions
  • Receive educational and research materials
  • Develop evidence-based speeches
  • Record and submit a 1–2 min speech video
  • Share content through media platforms
  • Participate in awareness & public engagement
  • Undergo public health mentorship activities
Focus Areas

Speech Focus Areas

Participants may build their speeches around any of the following critical public health themes:

Protection of children and young people from tobacco
Tobacco control awareness and disease prevention
Tobacco addiction prevention strategies
Healthy lifestyles amidst the prevailing tobacco epidemic
Household economic impacts of tobacco addiction
Human dignity and rights of the people
Community well-being and healthier lifestyles
National development and public health progress
Youth leadership in building a healthier society
Public understanding of the Tobacco Control Act and its significance
Judging

How Speeches Are Evaluated

Speeches will be assessed by an expert panel based on the following criteria:

01

Credible Research & Data

Use of verified, credible research sources, statistics, and evidence-based information.

02

Social & Economic Impacts

Understanding of tobacco's social and economic impacts on families, communities, and the nation.

03

Frameworks & Commitments

Reference to relevant public health frameworks, the Tobacco Control Act, and international commitments.

04

Clarity & Argumentation

Clarity of message, logical structure, and strength of the argument presented.

05

Responsible Communication

Responsible and constructive communication that informs without sensationalism.

06

Creativity & Delivery

Originality, creative expression, confidence, and overall delivery and presentation quality.

07

Public Awareness Value

The ability of the speech to inspire, inform, and motivate broader public awareness and action.

Ready to Step Up?

Download the competition guidelines and toolkit to get started on your journey to becoming a Speech Master.

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