Young contestants shine at international event(3)

 

Chinese contestant Liu Bowen (second from left) takes a selfie with international contestants at the 2023 International Public Speaking Competition in London on May 12. [Photo by Wang Ziyuan/Provided to to chinadaily.com.cn]

Wu added: "This can give me an opportunity to see how different cultures can merge and meet, and this can facilitate my career in the future, I know what to do and how to do."

Fellow contestant Gureshidze said: "I feel very special because there are people from all over the world; from China, from France, from Italy, from Georgia. We understand their cultures and traditions. It definitely helps me to broaden my horizon and that helps me to understand other people's perspectives as well."

Commenting on the theme for the speeches in the final, Renard said people are important in changing the world, and that the young people who compete in the competition will be the leaders of the future, and those who are going to change the world, and, hopefully, make it a better place.

Easton said she thinks of the young people taking part as both the voices of today and of tomorrow.

"They have an awful lot to say when we listen carefully, and they will take their place in the world with all the knowledge and all the skills they've learned through the competitions," she said.