FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 13, 2009

(Washington) -- The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) announces the winners from each state and abroad of the National Peace Essay Contest. Fifty American high school students from around the U.S., and one living in South Korea, have written winning essays. Each student has won a $1000 college scholarship and an invitation to Washington, D.C. for an all-expense paid, five-day seminar in June.

This year's essay topic was crimes against humanity.

Ambassador Richard H. Solomon, president of USIP, said, "The National Peace Essay Contest winners from each state are to be commended for writing extremely thoughtful essays that investigate, analyze and raise awareness about crimes against humanity. I congratulate all of them on their winning essays and am sure they will continue to be leaders on important issues of our time."

USIP is a nonprofit organization founded by the U.S. Congress that works to prevent and resolve violent international conflict, and help societies regain stability after fighting has ended. For 21 of USIP's 25 years, the National Peace Essay Contest has inspired American high school students around the country and those living abroad to analyze issues of war and peace. Each state winner receives $1,000 in college scholarship money; while in Washington, D.C. in June, three additional prizes, for national, first and second place winners, are awarded, in the amounts of $10,000, $5,000 and $2,500, respectively. During their all-expense paid week in Washington, D.C., the students participate in conflict resolution simulations and meet with government officials from several agencies and the U.S. Congress. CNN newsman Wolf Blitzer, anchor of "The Situation Room" will address the winners of the National Peace Essay Contest at a banquet dinner on June 25.

For more information about the National Peace Essay Contest, please visit http://www.usip.org/ed/npec/. The Web site will be updated daily during the week the students are in Washington, June 21-26.

Related News

USIP Peace Teachers Program Announces 2023 Cohort

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

News Type: Press Release

(Washington, D.C.) – The U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) is pleased to announce the selection of the 2023 Peace Teachers Program cohort, consisting of 22 middle and high school teachers from 21 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. The full list of participants can be found here.

Education & Training

View All News