Hi! My name is Simu Lee, and as the President of the SolBridge Debate Society (SDS), I am honored to share our team's experience at the 2026 Asian Parliamentary KIDA National Championships (KNC). Hosted by the Seoul National University Debate Association (SNUDA) and the HUFS Debate Society (HDS) at Seoul National University from May 15–17, this event was a true test of perseverance for our dedicated team, which included myself, Sujeong, and Fatum.

Overcoming Adversity through Teamwork

Going into the tournament, I felt a deep sense of responsibility to represent both the SDS and the SolBridge community. However, the path to Nationals was far from smooth. Facing significant scheduling conflicts and financial challenges, we initially formed two teams, but unforeseen circumstances led to a late withdrawal, leaving SDS with only one team at the competition an unprecedented situation for us.

Despite these setbacks and a difficult start in the preliminary rounds, our team maintained its focus and drive. The tournament was physically and mentally taxing, with long days of preparation and adjudication stretching from 9:00 AM to past 9:00 PM. Yet, our persistence paid off when we received the thrilling news at "Break Night" that SDS 1 had advanced to the EFL Finals.

Championing Quality Discourse

On the final day, we faced a formidable challenge against the host institution, SNUDA, in the EFL Final round. We approached the debate with confidence in our arguments and our training. When the results were announced at the Closing Ceremony, the realization that SDS 1 had emerged as the EFL Champion was a deeply proud moment for us all. Furthermore, I was honored to be awarded the Best Speaker of the EFL Finals.

Alignment with Global Sustainability Goals

Beyond the thrill of competition, our participation reflects SolBridge’s core commitment to global development goals:

·         SDG 4 (Quality Education): Through debate, we actively cultivate critical thinking, public speaking, and leadership essential skills for academic and professional success.

·         SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): By engaging in respectful, structured, and parliamentary discourse, we learn to navigate complex issues and contribute to a more informed and just society.

·         SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The event facilitated invaluable collaboration and networking between different university debate societies across Korea, strengthening the community of academic exchange.

I am immensely proud of what our team achieved and grateful to my teammates for their unwavering dedication. I hope this victory serves as an inspiration to all SolBridgers to embrace new challenges and participate in debate. We look forward to using this momentum to foster even greater support and growth for the SolBridge Debate Society in the future.

Thank you for reading our story!

SolBridge Debate Society (SDS) SolBridge International School of Business