A new youth leadership summer initiative focused on building critical thinking, public speaking skills and ethical leadership has launched registration ahead of welcoming its inaugural cohort in August. Designed as an intensive 1-week training programme open to adolescents aged 12-17 and young adults 18-24, the Building Titans: Young Leaders Summer Academy 2026 (BTYLSA 2026) will push participants to rigorously challenge ideas, analyse important current issues, master oral communication, and understand what makes a good leader.
BTYLSA 2026 will be hosted at the Eustace Hill Campus of the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS) in Coolidge (formerly ABIIT) from Monday, August 17, 2026, to Friday, August 21, 2026.
Participants can expect a daily lineup of powerful guest speakers, theory sessions designed to build their analytical and delivery skills, daily activities to promote teamwork and knowledge-building, and opportunities to practice public speaking and debate in a constructive environment.
Director of BTYLSA 2026, Kieron Murdoch, states that the summer programme was initially planned for two weeks around mid-August but was redesigned as a compact, 5-day, pre-back-to-school summer intensive given several factors such as the Carnival season and various competing initiatives which are hosted for young people in the summer.
“We’ve curated a high-impact, five-day intensive focusing on three essential pillars: leadership, public speaking, and debate,” Murdoch stated.
“The best leaders must be able to clearly articulate their ideas, making public speaking a natural component of our curriculum.
While the word ‘debate’ can sometimes frighten youth, mastering it is critical in today’s world. It builds rapid reasoning, research skills, active listening, and the rare ability to think critically on your feet under pressure.”
Murdoch further emphasised the core philosophy of the 5-day summer programme, noting: “When it comes to leadership, young people are often taught that it is merely about climbing the social ladder or building a resume.
We want to remind our participants that true leaders are not just position holders.
They are ethical leaders. They have to possess the moral courage to stand up for others, defend the causes they believe in, and choose what is right over what is popular.”
Organisers plan to divide participants into cohorts based on age. Participants will have daily shuttle transportation to and from St. John’s if they need it, with the programme running from 8:45 am to 3:00 pm daily.
Each participant who completes the programme will receive a BTYLSA 2026 certificate of participation.
Participants have the option of bringing their own meals or snacks or purchasing from affordable options that will be available daily.
Youth who are under 18 years old must be registered by a parent or guardian. Young adults who are 18+ can register themselves.
To register, simply go to https://tinyurl.com/titansanu and complete the registration form, then pay the enrollment fee.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: ‘Building Titans’ Launches Accessible 1-Week Youth Leadership Summer Programme.