IN ORDER to find out how young people can make a difference in reducing poverty, the World Bank has launched the International Essay Competition. The Essay Competition is an annual, worldwide competition targeting young people aged 18 to 25, and is managed by the World Bank's office in Paris.
It's designed and implemented in partnership with World Bank Country Offices and Public Information Centres in 84 countries, as well as partners representing universities, NGOs and youth organisations across the world. The fourth Essay Competition, held in 2007, on the theme of corruption, attracted 2,240 submissions from over 130 countries (90 percent of submissions came from developing countries). This year the World Bank has teamed up with the Cities Alliance and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs - the sponsors of this year's competition - to invite young people worldwide to participate in the International Essay Competition 2008, with the theme of urbanisation.
The World Essay Competition is open to all young people, students and non-students alike, between the ages of 18 and 25. Essays should be submitted by individuals. Evaluation criteria include: quality of proposals; structure; coherence of arguments; originality/creativity; style; and use of sources and evidence. Essays will be judged by the Review Committee, consisting of members of the Steering and Advisory Committees.
Up to $10,000 in prize money will be awarded: a grand prize of $5,000; and runners-up prizes of $1,000.
The deadline for submission of entries is March 23, 2008.
For more information, see:
http://www.norway.org.sg/culture/literature/Essay.htm.
Source: European Youth Press
