The English Speaking Union (ESU) held its annual young people’s public speaking contest at the British Embassy today. The aim of the competition is to create “global understanding through English”. After much deliberation the judges named Luca Macome, from St George’s College North, their victor, for his amusing proposal on how to remedy world overpopulation.

In his speech entitled ‘The Association for the Preservation of the World’, Luca suggested that we endorse his imaginary ‘Target 60′ scheme, which recommends that members follow seven steps to ensure they do not live beyond the age of 60. He claimed his ‘One in, One out Policy’ would alleviate the excessive stress that an ever increasing population puts on the Earth. He pointed out that “men are altruistic to a fault, dying on average seven years younger than women”. After he’d finished his speech a member of the question panel quipped, “I was going to ask you a question, but seeing as I’m over 60 perhaps I shouldn’t!”

After collecting his prizes, the winner said he felt “very good, very happy, a little nervous – I don’t know why!”

In May, Luca will travel to London to compete in the International Public Speaking Competition, together with runner-up Evelyn Moon of Escuela Argentina Modelo.

Evelyn delivered an optimistic speech on time and change. She compared the little drops of water which make up the sea to the little seconds that pass which constitute a life, invoking in listeners the sense that they must make the most of every day.

In third and fourth place were Nicolas Gimenez and Lucia Weihe respectively. Nicolas’ controversial speech on world poverty provoked a ripple of shock throughout the audience when he said: “God blessed America, but did not bless Iraq or Afghanistan… God Saved the Queen, but not the people dying in Darfur.” Lucia spoke about the environment and moulded a John F. Kennedy quotation to promote her cause: “We must not ask what our planet can do for us, but what we can do for our planet.”

All competitors, who are between 16 and 18 years old, had to prepare a speech on the theme of regeneration and renewal and received a certificate acknowledging their participation. 

The winner and runner up were presented with trophies and a return flight to London each, the costs of which are covered by HSBC, who sponsored the event.   

It was acknowledged the judges had faced a tough decision and the chairman of the ESU closed the event saying that the standard of the speeches improves every year.