Debate Competition on Media and Information Literacy (MIL) on September 29, 2025
September 30th, 2025
We have successfully conducted the Debate Competition on Media and Information Literacy (MIL) on September 29, 2025 at Thimphu Press Club. Yangchenphug Higher Secondary School was the winners and Motithang Higher Secondary School the runners-up.
Four higher secondary schools under Thimphu Thromde, Druk School, Motithang Higher Secondary School, Pelkhil School, and Yangchenphug Higher Secondary School have participated in the Debate Competition. The winners and runners-up were awarded with prize money and certificates. The other participants also received consolation prizes and certificates.
A total of 60 participants including students and teachers of the four participating schools and officials from government agencies and CSOs attended the Debate. The Debate was part of our ongoing project “Development of National MIL Strategy”, funded by UNESCO, and supported by Royal Thimphu College Professional Service, which is developed aligning with Bhutan’s development priorities and global best practices, including UNESCO’s Global MIL Framework.
The Debate aims to provide a platform for youth voices to be heard, allowing them to critically reflect on the Draft National MIL Strategy, share their perspectives, and engage in public discourse on how MIL can shape a safer, more informed, and resilient society. Their participation will help ensure that the Strategy is not only contextually relevant but also reflective of the aspirations and realities of Bhutan’s younger generation.
We would like to thank UNESCO New Delhi Office, all the participating schools, Thimphu Thromde, and officials from the Department of Media, Creative Industry & Intellectual Property, Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority- BICMA, and Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy for your active participation and support for the initiative.
The Debate was a great success, where the youth participants took active participation, expressing their insights and recommendations on MIL and MIL Strategy. BMF will commit to engaging more youth in our programmes to make our initiatives more inclusive and impactful.