The People Speak 2006 Essay Competition
19 September 2006 – 16:12deadline for submissions is November 30th, 2006
In 2003, a non-partisan coalition of organizations, committed to fostering open-minded discussion on critical global issues, initiated a discussion series, The People Speak (TPS). TPS engaged people of all ages and backgrounds in thoughtful discussions about the value of international cooperation for the United States and the world. In [...]
deadline for submissions is November 30th, 2006
In 2003, a non-partisan coalition of organizations, committed to fostering open-minded discussion on critical global issues, initiated a discussion series, The People Speak (TPS). TPS engaged people of all ages and backgrounds in thoughtful discussions about the value of international cooperation for the United States and the world. In its first year, TPS was hailed as a success by newspapers such as The Boston Globe, which commented: “Politicians take note. Pundits take note. And�most important�citizens take note, for there’s a reasoned conversation to be had.”
Help the conversation continue.
The People Speak (TPS) 2006 aims to bring a thoughtful exchange of ideas about American foreign policy to people from all walks of life. Universities, colleges, schools, clubs, debate organizations, civic organizations, churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, mandirs, and Gurdwaras are all encouraged to get involved.
One way to get involved is through entering this year’s essay competition, which is based directly upon the TPS 2006 main theme and three core topic areas.
Theme: Working Together with the World: What’s in it for the United States?
For all budding ambassadors, for those interested in foreign policy, for anyone who loves to write, or for anyone who has to write an American foreign policy research paper in the next few months, here’s a great chance to express your views, get published, and win $500.
Three Main Topics
You can write on any of the three topic areas:
1.Peace, Security, and Human Rights
2.Energy and Global Climate Change
3.Millennium Development Goals
Get writing, the deadline is November 30th, 2006!
All youth, whether affiliated with IDEA or not, are eligible to submit analytical essays. So long as you address the main theme and one of the three topic areas, you may narrow down your focus in any way you deem appropriate. Essays can deal with overviews of these issues or with specific topics within them. The size range is 500 words to 10,000 words. Judges will look for essays which demonstrate originality and insight, as well as an ability to incorporate quality research and evidence. Please identify all of your sources. A good citation guide can be found at: http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/everyday_writer/docsource/4b.html.
Three Age Categories
The essay contest is open to three different age categories. Although the essays must be written in English, this competition is open to people around the world, so non-native speakers of English are highly encouraged to enter the contest. Don’t worry if you are not fully fluent in English; focus on expressing your ideas with clarity, support, and passion. The specific age categories are as follows:
1.14 and Under
2.15 to 18
3.19 to 24
Awards
There is one grand prize of $500 plus publication for each age category. In addition, there are up to 10 runner-up prizes worth $250 for each age category as well.
Bonus If You are an IDEA-Affiliated Winner
If any Grand Prize winner is affiliated with any IDEA-recognized debate organization, then $250, in the name of the Grand Prize winner, will be donated to his or her debate organization. If any runner-up award winners are affiliated with any IDEA-recognized debate organization, then $100, in their name, will be donated to their respective debate organizations.
Getting Started
To assist writers in getting initial ideas for possible essays, IDEA has created extensive online The People Speak resources. Go to www.thepeoplespeak.org, to access statistics, and links to further readings relevant to The People Speak topics. IDEA has also expanded its online Debatabase to include dozens of summaries of the key issues on all sides of contentious debates in the US-UN relationship. Be sure to have a clear thesis statement, relevant support, and clear language. Good luck!
Submitting Your Essay
Contestants must identify themselves and submit their essays online by logging into IDEA’s Online Application System (OAS) at http://oas.idebate.org/idea/. Contestants should create an individual account within OAS and select the “TPS Essay Competition 2006” link in order to upload their essays. Questions regarding OAS or the TPS Essay Competition should be sent to TPSapps@idebate.org. Essays must be uploaded in either Microsoft Word, Rich Text, or OpenOffice text formats.
Contest Deadline
The deadline for submissions is November 30th, 2006. Current employees of IDEA and their immediate families are not eligible for this contest. By submitting an essay, each contestant acknowledges and agrees that all essay entries become the sole and exclusive property of IDEA. Competition judges’ decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
May the best essays win!
IDEA website: www.idebate.org
TPS website: www.thepeoplespeak.org
UN Foundation: www.unfoundation.org
Words can change the world Stop thinking about, Start writing
Source: IDEBATE
