2011 International Essay Contest for Young People (Deadline: June 30, 2011)

Organized by Goi Peace Foundation and UNESCO The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan Japanese National Commission for UNESCO, Japan Broadcasting Corporation Nikkei Inc., Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education Supported by FELISSIMO CORPORATION.

As today’s young people are crucial for the shaping of our future, it is imperative that they are enabled to develop to their full potential. UNESCO’s objective is to help empower young people, reaching out to them, responding to their expectations and ideas, and fostering useful and long-lasting skills. This annual essay contest is organized in an effort to harness the energy, imagination and  initiative of the world's youth in promoting a culture of peace and sustainable development.  It also aims to inspire society to learn from the young minds and to think about how each of us can make a difference in the world.

THEME: "MY STORY OF INSPIRATION" Many people experience inner change that motivates them to create a better world. Please share your story of inspiration that has affected your life and changed you to make a change in the world. GUIDELINES: 1. Essays may be submitted by anyone up to 25 years old (as of June 30, 2011) 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 in English, French, Spanish or German; or 1600 characters or less in Japanese, typed or printed. 3. Essays must have a cover page indicating (1) category (Children or Youth) (2) essay title (3) your name (4) address (5) phone number (6) e-mail (7) nationality (8) age as of June 30, 2011 (9) gender (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 online. * IMPORTANT: To send your essay online, you must go to the online registration page at www.goipeace.or.jp and follow the required steps. 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 Essays must be original and unpublished. 6.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. DEADLINE: Entries must be received by June 30, 2011. AWARD: 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$1,200) ... 1 entrant 2nd Prize: Certificate and prize of 50,000 Yen (approx. US$600) ... 2 entrants 3rd Prize: Certificate and gift ... 5 entrants Honorable Mention: Certificate and gift  ... 25 entrants * 1st prize winners will be invited to the award ceremony in Tokyo, Japan scheduled for November 2011. (Travel expenses will be covered by the organizers.) ** All prize winners will be announced in November 2011 on the Goi Peace Foundation web site (www.goipeace.or.jp) and UNESCO web site (www.unesco.org/youth). PLEASE SEND YOUR ENTRIES TO:  International Essay Contest c/o The Goi Peace Foundation 1-4-5 Hirakawacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0093 Japan OR Send online to:  http://www.goipeace-essaycontest.org/ or click here to send online.