UNIMA Student Wins UN@80 Essay Challenge
A University of Malawi (UNIMA) Bachelor of Laws student, Precious Mbale, has emerged as the winner of the UN@80 Essay Challenge, beating 560 entries submitted by undergraduate students from various Malawian public universities.
The competition was organised by the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Malawi to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and was held under the theme, “The UN and Malawi: Building Our Future Together” and the prize-presentation ceremony was held in Lilongwe.
The competition challenged students to present practical, fact-based ideas for addressing national development challenges.
The three winning essays which were awarded explored innovative solutions to national challenges, including disability-friendly classrooms, climate-smart infrastructure, youth-led legal aid clinics, accessible financial education, and youth-friendly health and mental health services.
For Mbale, the competition provided an opportunity to combine her passion for writing with issues that are close to her heart.
“I have always loved writing and putting my ideas on paper, and I aspire to become a fully-fledged researcher. When I came across the UN@80 Essay Challenge, I saw it as an opportunity to combine something I enjoy with issues that matter to me,” she said.
In her winning essay, Mbale focused on three key areas: education, sustainable infrastructure, and peace, justice and strong institutions.
Her interest in inclusive education, she says, was shaped by her involvement with Classrooms for Malawi, where she observed the need for more inclusive and disability-friendly learning environments.
“Through my involvement with Classrooms for Malawi, I have seen the need for more inclusive and disability-friendly learning environments,” she said.
Coming from Chilobwe Township in Blantyre, Mbale says her personal experience of the 2015 and 2023 flash floods also influenced her focus on climate-smart and resilient infrastructure.
She also says she was equally drawn to issues of peace, justice and strong institutions because of her interest in criminal justice reform, particularly rehabilitation, reducing reoffending and strengthening access to justice.
The essay proposed youth-centred solutions, including promoting inclusive education, involving young people in the development of climate-resilient infrastructure, and establishing youth-led legal clinics.
Mbale said her legal training played an important role in shaping how she approached the issues. Rather than simply identifying problems, she examined existing frameworks, including Malawi 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals, and considered how these commitments could be translated into practical action.
She said the approach encouraged her to look beyond identifying challenges and instead consider what could be done, who could be involved, and how ideas could move from paper into action.
Mbale’s achievement highlights the contribution of UNIMA students to national conversations on development and the future of Malawi, while demonstrating the potential of young people to contribute practical ideas to issues affecting the country.
