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Next generation of climate orators head to Songdo for Green Project 2026

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By Jhoo Dong-chan
  • Published Jun 16, 2026 11:24 am KST
  • Updated Jun 16, 2026 2:46 pm KST
University of Utah Asia Campus in Songdo, Incheon / Courtesy of University of Utah Asia Campus

University of Utah Asia Campus in Songdo, Incheon / Courtesy of University of Utah Asia Campus

Amid deepening global concerns over climate change, up to 200 Korean students will gather in Songdo next month to pitch concrete environmental solutions — entirely in English.

The Korea regional round of the Green Project Public Speaking Championship (GPPSC) 2026 will be held July 25-26 at the University of Utah Asia Campus in Songdo, Incheon. Hosted by New Era Academy, a Seoul-based debate and public speaking education firm, and sponsored by The Korea Times, the two-day tournament challenges young speakers to combine classical oratory with substantive environmental policy.

Rather than simply lamenting ecological decline, this year's prepared speech division requires participants to address a specific prompt: "An Environmental Solution." Competitors must formulate, articulate and defend actionable strategies for sustainability, testing both their rhetorical skills and structural thinking on complex climate issues. The format demands that speakers survive rigorous impromptu rounds as well, where they must synthesize arguments on tight deadlines.

The competition is divided into two age groups: a junior division for students aged 8 to 13, and a senior division for those aged 14 to 18. Participants will face multiple elimination rounds over the weekend, culminating in an awards ceremony for top performers.

The event carries high international stakes, serving as the official qualifier for the GPPSC Global Round. Korea's top speakers will advance to the international stage to compete against students from Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, South Africa and China.

Registration is open on a first-come, first-served basis and is capped at 100 participants per division to ensure a highly competitive field. Detailed rules, evaluation criteria, schedules and registration protocols are available on the official website.

This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.