I was invited as a judge on a special Debate for Democracy programme that focused on the recent rise in food and essential commodity prices and its impact on ordinary consumers. Student debaters and young professionals argued about who should be held accountable – traders, regulators or policymakers – and what concrete steps are needed to protect consumer rights. As a journalist who regularly reports on the economy and markets, it was fascinating to hear how young people connect price hikes with transparency, enforcement and ethical business practices. At the end of the session, I joined the organisers in recognising the best team for their evidence-based arguments and thoughtful policy proposals.
