2009 INTERNATIONAL ESSAY CONTEST FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Young people from around the world are invited to enter the 2009 International Essay Contest organized by UNESCO and the Goi Peace Foundation.
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> The theme for this year's contest is "The role of science in building a better world." The deadline for entry is June 30, 2009. First prize winners will receive a cash award and a trip to Japan.
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> Please see the complete guidelines below. The same information can be found on the Goi Peace Foundation website: http://www.goipeace.or.jp/english/activities/programs/0901.html
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> To read winning essays from last year's contest, please go to http://www.goipeace.or.jp/english/activities/programs/0802.html
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> Please spread the information about the essay contest to young people in your network.
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> May Peace Prevail on Earth!
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> The Goi Peace Foundation
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> ***** 2009 INTERNATIONAL ESSAY CONTEST FOR YOUNG PEOPLE *****
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> - Organized by The Goi Peace Foundation and UNESCO
> - Endorsed by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan, Japan Broadcasting Corporation, Nikkei Inc., Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education
> - Supported by Japan Airlines
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> The United Nations has designated 2001-2010 as the "International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World" and 2005-2014 as the "United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development." Not only should young people benefit from these global initiatives, but they should be empowered to play a leading role in them. The theme of this year's International Essay Contest is "THE ROLE OF SCIENCE IN BUILDING A BETTER WORLD." Young people from around the world are invited to submit their innovative ideas on this theme.
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> *** THEME:
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> "The role of science in building a better world"
> Scientific progress has brought many benefits to humanity, while some applications of science have had adverse impacts. What kind of science and technology do you think is needed for realizing a more equitable, prosperous and sustainable world for all? Please express your vision for the future of science, including examples of studies or researches you wish to engage in.
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> *** GUIDELINES:
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> 1. Essays may be submitted by anyone up to 25 years old (as of June 30, 2009) in one of the following age categories:
> a) Children (ages up to 14) b) Youth (ages 15 - 25)
> 2. Essays must be 800 words or less typed or printed in English, French, Spanish or German.
> 3. Essays must have a cover page indicating (1) category (Children or Youth) (2) essay title (3) your name (4) postal address (5) phone number (6) e-mail address (7) nationality ( age as of June 30, 2009 (9) sex (10) school name (if applicable) (11) word count.
> Teachers and youth directors may submit a collection of essays from their class or group. Please enclose a list of participants' names and the name and contact information of the submitting teacher or director.
> (Entries missing any of the above information will not be considered.)
> 4. Entries may be submitted by postal mail or e-mail. (Email entries must be in text or MS Word format, with the cover page and essay sent together as one document.)
> 5. Essays must be original and unpublished.
> 6. Essays must be written by one person. Co-authored essays are not accepted.
> 7. Copyright of the essays entered will be assigned to the organizers.
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> *** DEADLINE: Entries must be received by JUNE 30, 2009.
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> *** AWARDS: The following awards will be given in the Children's category and Youth category respectively:
> 1st Prize: Certificate and prize of 100,000 Yen (approx. US$1,000) ... 1 entrant
> 2nd Prize: Certificate and prize of 50,000 Yen (approx. US$500) ... 2 entrants
> 3rd Prize: Certificate and gift ... 5 entrants
> Honorable Mention: Certificate and gift ... 25 entrants
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> * 1st prize winners will be invited to the award ceremony in Tokyo, Japan scheduled for
> November 2009. (Travel expenses will be covered by the organizers.)
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> ** All prize winners will be announced in November 2009 on the Goi Peace Foundation web site (www.goipeace.or.jp) and UNESCO web site (www.unesco.org/youth).
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> *** PLEASE SEND YOUR ENTRIES TO:
> International Essay Contest c/o The Goi Peace Foundation
> 1-4-5 Hirakawacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0093 Japan
> E-mail: essay@goipeace.or.jp

good:) i'll try this one:)

I've participated in one of these competitions two years ago when the theme was "The role of media, information and communication technology in building a peaceful world". I didn't win, but it still was a useful experience. When it comes to these kind of competitions I really think that even if you don't win, simply participating is enough, because you get to express your opinions on a certain subject and also, there are never enough challenges that push you to find out information and to actually think.

i'm sure:)