Dintwa Serumula and Nyakallo Scheepers.

The Golden Key Society members of the University of the Free State (UFS) Dintwa Serumula (president) and Nyakallo Scheepers (former president) will visit the University of Mississippi in the USA during the last week of January 2015 to arrange the International Youth Presidential Debate (IYPD).

The IYPD will take place on 4 March 2015 between the UFS and the University of Mississippi via video conferencing at both institutions. The IYPD is a prestige engagement platform founded in 2014 with the aim of allowing students from different parts of the world to engage in critical conversations about critical issues directly affecting them.

The aim of this debate is to allow students to reflect on their own country’s state of racial reconciliation including their campus. Students are encouraged to engage critically and constructively on the topic: The impact of heritage or hatred on reconciliation and transformation on university campuses.

Heritage – in itself – is a controversial topic. The reason for choosing this topic has been guided by the particular histories of South Africa and the United States of America. While some students may relate to certain symbolism, other students may not relate to such symbolical figures due to their race and their past. This conflict in interest and freedom of expression can result in a deadlock between students. One group still wishes to practice their heritage while the other sees it as a method of celebrating hatred. It defeats the purpose of racial reconciliation within society and within campuses.

The IYPD has the vision to serve as a brain trust of proposed solutions by the youth on international issues. It values diversity, innovation, global citizenship, integrity and altruism whilepromoting conscious young leadership.