Institute of Education and Research (IER) of University of Dhaka (DU), People's Health Movement (PHM) Bangladesh, Action Aid Bangladesh and Creative Media Limited will jointly organise the four-day debate competition at IER.

The debate competition will also inspire the young generation to achieve 'health for all', one of the important objectives of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The information came at a press conference yesterday at IER seminar room chaired by IER Director Prof Salma Akhter.

"Education makes people conscious of their rights. IER is organising the programme to address health rights," said Prof Salma.

Addressing as the chief guest, DU pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Dr AFM Yousuf Haider said, "Debate competition is more useful than seminars as it reflects both the negative and positive aspects of a motion."

Prof Yousuf called for establishing a 'society of reasoning' and to keep debate 'above politics'.

The programme will take place on August 23, 24 and 28, 29.

A total of 30 debate clubs from 16 halls of DU, IER, 10 private universities and three private colleges will participate in the competition.

The topics of the parliamentary debate competition include 'Ineffectiveness of government health service is promoting private health service', 'Market economy is the barrier to ensure health service' and others.