Behind the scenes of ‘Intersection’: Valentine and Raphaëlle win the 4th edition of the public speaking competition
The BV1 at IHECS hosted the final of the 4th edition of the “Intersection” public speaking competition. Over the course of an evening, words, silences and arguments followed one another before an audience of over 350 people.
On the theme “Behind the scenes of the world”, 12 students, divided into six pairs, competed in three rounds of public speaking, with each duo defending a position (for or against) on a set topic.
But beyond the performances, another side of the event came to light: the behind-the-scenes of the competition, where it all begins… and continues far beyond the stage.
For ‘Intersection’ is, above all, a journey. Led by the Public Relations, Cultural and Social Communication, and Media Education departments, the project is run in collaboration with the Ambassadors for Civic Expression, the non-profit organisation Réciproque and the CEHEG. It supports students over 10 weeks of workshops, training sessions, coaching and meetings. All these opportunities to experiment, make mistakes, and start again, gradually finding one’s voice.
Following a closed-door semi-final involving 19 semi-finalists, six pairs were selected to progress to the final:
- Cosmina Calencea and Abdessalam Haddou
- Trajan Jossart and Lina Talha
- Alexiane Frippiat and Elise Degols
- Mohamed Aguelmous and Louise Mouriamé
- Alisson Niyonzima and Gaël Zech
- Valentine Altairac and Raphaëlle Dewé
On stage, each pair defended a set position through a well-structured and engaging speech. Their passionate, sometimes personal, often powerful speeches captured the audience’s attention.
However, those few minutes in front of the audience were the result of much longer preparation. Behind the scenes, the students describe a memorable experience, full of encounters and discoveries.
For many, the project enabled them to forge unexpected bonds and discover new sides to themselves: some describe an “enriching” experience, where meeting people with different backgrounds and perspectives strengthened the sense of community, whilst creating a space to express what had previously gone unspoken.
Others emphasise the intensity of the process: weeks of preparation, polished scripts, constant mutual support between pairs and, above all, the bond that forms between the two. Taking to the stage together, writing, rehearsing and, at times, doubting, creates a special bond. A form of friendship that goes beyond the scope of the competition.
Behind the scenes, everyone also highlights the presence of attentive support staff, always there to guide, reassure and encourage at every stage of the journey.
Impressed by the quality and diversity of the entries, the jury – comprising Laure Englebert (chair), Chloé Colpé, Daphné D'Heur, Cindya Izzarelli and Gilles Dal – praised the finalists’ dedication. Following deliberation, the duo of Valentine Altairac and Raphaëlle Dewé emerged as the winners of this fourth edition of the ‘Intersection’ competition. Their performance was also applauded by the audience, who awarded the same duo the People’s Choice Award, introduced for the first time this year and presented by CEHEG, a partner of the project. This initiative also reflects CEHEG’s commitment to supporting spaces where students can make their voices heard and convey a message to the public.
Alongside the judging, the evening continued at LOFT 58 with a musical performance by Nel, an IHECS alumna and finalist in the second edition. She performed tracks from her EP Barbelés, offering a more informal interlude in the middle of the evening.
Over the course of its editions, “Intersection” has established itself as a key event in the IHECS calendar. For several weeks, the project becomes a space for learning, meeting others and self-discovery for the students taking part. A space where speaking out becomes a tool for personal development, engaging with others and bringing one’s ideas to life. Ultimately, “Intersection” is a project that is experienced above all… behind the scenes.
