WASHINGTON--The United States Institute of Peace announced today the state-level winners in its fifteenth annual National Peace Essay Contest, which is open to American high school students in all U.S. states and territories, and those studying abroad. Each state winner will receive a $1,000 college scholarship and will compete for national awards of up to $10,000.

More than 1,200 students from across the United States and Puerto Rico participated in this year's contest. Students wrote about the role of the U.S. military in international peacekeeping.

Image on right: Photo of last year's winners at the Embassy of Finland during the 2001 Awards Week in Washington.

All of the state-level winners have been invited to represent their state in a special program for state-level winners of the Institute's essay contest in Washington, D.C., June 22 to June 27, 2002. Students will meet with senior U.S. government and foreign embassy officials, members of Congress, and other experts directly involved in the making of American foreign policy. They will also assume the roles of the National Security Council, Congressional leaders, and military advisors in a special three-day simulation over the possible role for the U.S. military in an international peacekeeping mission. The goal of the exercise is for students to learn the inherent difficulties and complexities in constructing a viable U.S. peacekeeping action that will respond to regional instability in Kashmir. At the end of the week, the winners of national first-, second-, and third-place scholarships of $10,000, $5,000, and $2,500 will be selected and honored at a special awards banquet on June 26.

"It is crucial for our country that tomorrow's leaders understand that the skills of international conflict management and peace-building are essential to effective foreign relations in the post-Cold War world," said Dr. Richard H. Solomon, president of the United States Institute of Peace. "The National Peace Essay Contest allows students to see directly the relationship between the world of learning and the world of foreign policy. The United States needs a new generation of creative, resourceful, and innovative leaders. The Peace Essay Contest provides a jump-start to interesting this upcoming generation in careers dedicated to international affairs."

You can follow the winners on their unique learning adventure in Washington, D.C. by visiting the National Peace Essay Contest online at:
www.usip.org/ed/npec/dcweek/2002/index.html

A complete list of the state winners is available at:
www.usip.org/ed/npec/dcweek/2002/winners_list.html

The United States Institute of Peace is an independent organization created and funded by Congress to promote research, education, and training on the resolution of international conflicts. The National Peace Essay Contest is among one of the Institute's oldest continuing activities to promote civic education on international peace and conflict resolution.

The United States Institute of Peace is an independent, nonpartisan institution established and funded by Congress. Its goals are to help prevent and resolve violent international conflicts, promote post-conflict stability and development, and increase conflict management capacity, tools, and intellectual capital worldwide. The Institute does this by empowering others with knowledge, skills, and resources, as well as by directly engaging in peacebuilding efforts around the globe.