Asia and Pacific Student Essay Competition on Sustainable Development
Bursa Beasiswa Newsletter
people. University students across the vast region are learning about
the development challenges their countries face, including
unemployment, illiteracy, disease, lack of adequate health care, and
environmental degradation. Many students are acting to address these
challenges in their communities. They have formulated ideas, often
based on their own experiences in the places where they live, on how to
overcome the problems holding the region back from achieving its full
potential.
ADB and ROAD, with support of the Japan Special Fund, financed by the
Government of Japan, invite university students to participate in the
Asia and Pacific Student Essay Competition on Sustainable Development.
The rules are simple: just submit an essay on one of the designated
themes no later than 31 October 2006.
To be eligible, you must be a student at a university, between the ages
of 18 and 29, and a citizen of one of ADB`s developing member countries
(DMCs). Since the essay competition and Youth Forum are part of the
formal lead up to the Annual Meeting, which is being hosted in 2007 by
Japan, Japanese citizens studying in Japan are also eligible.
Essays must be submitted in English (only) and no longer than 2,000
words in length. Students without easy access to the Internet may
deliver their essays in hard copy to the nearest ADB field office,
which will then submit them on the students` behalf.
The overarching theme of the essay contest is "Promoting Sustainable
Development in Asia and the Pacific." Those entering the competition
should choose one of three topics, which may be addressed from a
country or regional perspective. The essays can address the issues
related to the regional public good based on the following 3 topics:
Topic 1
Do Economic Growth and Environmental Conservation go Together?
Essays written on this topic can explore issues related to energy,
water resources, forest management, and/or desertification.
Topic 2
How Should we Develop Human Resources and Institutions?
Essays written on this topic can explore issues related to educational
and vocational human resource development, governance,
decentralization, civil society participation, globalization, and
traditional societies.
Topic 3
What are the Priorities for Industry and Infrastructure?
Essays written on this topic can explore issues related to
globalization of economic structures, regional financial stability,
agriculture and food security, urban and rural development, and
cross-border infrastructure development.
A jury of distinguished individuals with a strong development
background will judge the essays. Fifteen winners will be selected from
across the five regions covered by ADB`s regional departments - Central
and West Asia, East Asia, the Pacific, South Asia, and Southeast Asia
(see list of eligible countries here). An additional 10 winners will be
selected from young adults studying at Japanese universities, including
three Japanese students and seven nationals of ADB developing member
countries.
The 25 winners will be awarded a certificate and be expected to join
and participate actively in the Asian and Pacific Youth Forum on
Sustainable Development. The costs of the winning essayists`
participation in the Youth Forum will be covered by ADB.
Essays can be submitted via the website.