Contact:

Lauren Sucher
+1-202-429-3822
cell +1-202-657-7326

(Washington, April 11) – Forty-seven American high school students have been selected as winners of the National Peace Essay Contest sponsored each year by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). These students wrote the best essay from their state on the relationship between natural resources and international conflict. Now, each student is invited to join other winning contest essayists from around the country in an all-expenses paid weeklong seminar in Washington, D.C. this June.

In announcing the state-level awards, USIP President Richard H. Solomon said, "The National Peace Essay Contest is one of the best ways to engage young people on issues that are as important as they are complex. I congratulate all of the winners, who are clearly emerging as leaders of their generation."

The Institute’s National Peace Essay Contest is in its 21st year. Every year, American high school students write analytical essays on a topic chosen by the Institute’s Board of Directors, such as this year’s of natural resources and conflict. An independent panel of experts judges each essay, and a winner is chosen from every state, plus one from U.S. territories and one from among American students living abroad.

All 47 winners are invited on a trip to Washington, D.C. from June 22-27 to participate in a week of briefings at embassies, conflict resolution simulations and meetings with officials from Congress, federal agencies, and experts and practitioners from various organizations.

At a gala dinner on June 26, the three best essays—selected by the Institute’s Board—will be awarded the national first, second, and third place prizes. These winners will receive scholarships of $10,000, $5,000 and $2,500, respectively.