PrintNational Peace Essay Contest
This year more than 1,000 students submitted entries to the National Peace Essay Contest while thousands more participated in related writing and classroom exercises in high schools around the country.
Sophia Sanchez from Missouri, Erin Morbeck from Arkansas, and Sean Ray from Mississippi are the three national winners of the 2008–2009 National Peace Essay Contest.
They won $10,000, $5,000, and $2,500 in college scholarships. Each state winner is awarded a $1,000 scholarship. Over the years, more than 1,300 state winners have participated in the Washington Awards Program. Many of these students have gone on to study foreign policy issues in college or pursued careers in international affairs.
Each year, the Institute’s staff organizes an exciting program for the state winners during their week in Washington, D.C.
Activities include a challenging three-day simulation; meetings with knowledgeable speakers such as distinguished foreign policy scholars, practitioners, public officials in Congress and foreign diplomats; visits to historic national memorials and museums; and
an awards banquet to announce national winners and honor state winners.
The contest promotes discussions about challenging international issues of today among students, teachers, parents and youth leaders. The contest also improves and strengthens students’ critical thinking, research and writing skills.
2010-2011 Contest Topic: The Effectiveness of Nonviolent Civic Action
Each year, the Institute’s Board of Directors chooses a topic from among many of the most critical international issues of today. Crimes against humanity, natural resources, nuclear proliferation and youth in conflict are some examples of issues that have been highlighted in the past.
The 2010–11 contest gives students an opportunity to examine the role of citizens in bringing about change using nonviolent methods. Students are asked to conduct research and form their own ideas on conditions under which nonviolent civic actions will most likely achieve justice, end conflict or lead to positive political and social change.
Students may participate in the essay contest on their own or as part of a class. Educators who are passionate about these issues and dedicated to challenging students to think globally can make the contest a part of their curriculum or encourage students to write essays outside of their class work. A study guide on the essay contest topic is available online (www.usip.org/npec/sg10.pdf).
Entries must be received by February 1, 2010. Visit www.usip.org/npec for more information.
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