Round Square Inspiring Voices: The Big Baraza at Oxford University

With 400 delegates from 46 schools from Australia, Kenya, China, the USA, Pakistan, Canada, Colombia, UAE, Denmark, Ghana, New Zealand, India, Germany, the UK and South Africa, the students who were selected to represent St Stithians College at the Round Square Inspiring Voices Conference, held at Oxford University in England during April, had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build international understanding and to develop their leadership and public speaking skills.

Our delegates stepped up to the stage with courage, to share their insights and talents. They enjoyed compelling debates at the Oxford Union, eloquent Keynotes and After Dinner Speeches in College, talented singers at the Bridgerton-style Ball and an outstanding variety of performers and speakers at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. It was truly inspiring to see our girls give it their all, and heartwarming to see the other participants supporting, and cheering on their peers. Of particular note were Gosego Moeletsi, who was chosen to be one of the two MCs for the Closing Ceremony, and Siki Poswa, who was one of five students worldwide chosen to be trained by a professional film crew to make a documentary about the conference. Watch the film here.

It was exhilarating to wander through the storied streets of Oxford, tracing the footsteps of literary giants like Lewis Carroll, J.R.R. Tolkien, and C.S. Lewis. Standing at the podium of the Oxford Union, where legends such as Winston Churchill, Stephen Hawking, and Mother Teresa once spoke, was both humbling and inspiring. From punting along the river in a gentle rain to sensing the enchantment of Hogwarts in the grand dining hall of Christ Church College, every moment felt steeped in magic. And for the scientists, gazing at the elegant chalk marks etched on the blackboard Einstein used to explain the theory of relativity was testament to the brilliant footsteps we were following in this incredible city.

But our time in Oxford wasn’t just about immersing ourselves in its rich history, it was also about creating a space for young people from all over the world to come together, exchange perspectives, and spark new ideas. The experience was as much about the future as it was about the past. During three days of thought-provoking debates, participants tackled issues that were timely, complex, and ethically charged. Remarkably, in nine out of the eighteen debates, the room’s opinion shifted by more than 20% from start to finish: a powerful testament to the transformative potential of dialogue.

For many delegates, the lasting takeaway was the profound realisation that in just a few minutes, the power of a well-reasoned voice can challenge assumptions, open minds, and inspire change. For others, it was the joy of collaborating with peers who became friends, forging bonds across cultures and continents, united by shared curiosity and mutual respect. Whether through spirited debate or quiet reflection, each participant left with a deeper sense of connection, not only to the world of ideas but to one another.