1999-2000 National Peace Essay Contest

Awards Program

On Saturday, June 17th, 2000, the Institute welcomed the winners of the thirteenth annual National Peace Essay Contest.

More than 3,000 students across the United States, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and American high schools overseas participated in this year's contest, writing essays about the United States' response to the changing nature of international conflict. The state-level winners have received a $1,000 college scholarship, and will compete for national awards of up to $10,000.

While in Washington the students will visit the Colombian ambasador's residence and Sierra Leonean embassy, tour the Smithsonian museums and the monuments on the Mall, participate in simulation exercises on conflict-resolution, and attend an Awards Banquet where the first, second, and third place national winners will be announced.

This year's winners at the Albert Einstein Memorial
at the National Academy of Sciences.

The students will participate in a multiple-day conflict-resolution simulation exercise on Colombia; in additional, on Monday the organizers introduced the crisis in Sierra Leone to the exercise to demonstrate the complex nature of foreign policy decision-making. To aid in the exercise, the USIP Library has provided resources on Colombia and Sierra Leone.

Biographies and photos of state-level winners

Biographies and photos of the awards program staff

Online Press Kit for 1999-2000
National Peace Essay Contest