International Essay Competition - Theme: Towards a United, Peaceful and Sustainable Asia: The Need and the Way(s) Forward
Kabir Arora
International Essay Competition 2010
Essay Theme: Towards a United, Peaceful and Sustainable Asia: The Need and the Way(s) Forward
Calendar
July 5, 2010 - Deadline for submissions
July 5 – 15, 2010 – 10 Finalist will be announced, Jury to decide the winners
August 19, 2010 - Award Ceremony at the Closing Session of the Asian Youth Assembly 2010
Background and Introduction:
The Asian region is home to 60% of the world’s human
population, and is regarded as the cradle of civilization, with some of the
earliest cultures on the planet originating here. The region stretches from the
frigid Arctic to the sweltering equator; and
straddles six times zones. Asia is home to the
extremities of the planet, both human and natural. The diversity of the human
population resident to the continent is unparalleled on Earth.
The Asian region however is today faced with challenges of a scale never
experienced before. Lasting peace remains elusive as armed conflicts based on
religion, nationalism, ethnicity, land and natural resources occur ceaselessly
across the continent, killing thousands and capturing millions more in the
tentacles of poverty and hunger in the process. Illiteracy and lack of quality
education are undermining the ability of people to avail gainful employment,
and from achieving a satisfactorily good standard of living. Lack of access to
basic services is causing immense suffering, especially amongst marginalized
populations and poor people, while ineffective, disorganized and non
participatory governance and political institutions are further impeding
development. Environmental degradation is reaching epic proportions, with
pollution and emissions of greenhouse gases constantly on the rise,
deforestation occurring faster than ever before, and natural resources being
plundered relentlessly. The Millennium Development Goals, global objectives of
development to be achieved by the year 2015, seem to be much further away than
their targeted year of achievement, particularly because of the lack of
progress made by Asian countries in achieving sustainable development. A range
of challenges are together hindering a high standard of living and human
development in Asia, and are also coming together to result in an ecological
footprint exceeding the “region's” carrying capacity.
In this context, people from across the continent have recognized that cultural
affinities, values and destines are intricately interlinked, as are regional
challenges. They have recognized that it is important to rethink and evaluate
the progress made so far, and to come together to influence the way forward, to
overcome these challenges and for shaping the destiny of the continent.
Young people today constitute a very large percentage of the population of the
Asian region. Increasing economic prosperity and social mores are transforming
the attitudes and lifestyles of youth. Consumerism and capitalism are
converting youth into fast emerging key players in the overall emissions of
greenhouse gases. Young people therefore have a very major responsibility on
their hands, not just because of their voluminous contribution to climate
change and unsustainable growth, but also because they are the ones that will
face the repercussions of their actions when they experience the adverse
impacts of climate change in the future.
This Essay competition seeks to get ideas, proposal and solutions that will
work for Asia in the 21st Century and find ways to inspire other young
people to be part of bringing ‘the Change’ they want to see locally, nationally
and regionally.
The Organizers, Global Citizens for Sustainable Development further wants to ensure through their programme, Youth-Led Development Initiatives (YLDI) that these proposals shape into action-oriented programmes.
More details about the Asian Citizens Assembly 2010: www.asianassembly2010.org.in
Essay Theme: Towards a United, Peaceful and Sustainable Asia: The Need and the Way(s) Forward
Write an essay about the role of youth in shaping a united, peaceful and sustainable Asia. Today’s youth have the mindset and attitude of being the global citizens of the world and are very much inclined to Think G-local (Global-Local), Act G-local, with this inclination try to address the following questions:
1. Identify and briefly present the challenges
young people face as citizens (local, national, regional, global) and issues
concerning G-Local Governance and provide solutions.
2. From a youth perspective, identify the underlying issues that
prevent the full inclusion of youth in shaping the Regional (Asian) development
agenda.
3. In your view, what can young people, working with their peers,
community, local authorities and municipalities do to increase youth
participation in reshaping Asia?
4. We encourage you to focus on some or all of] the five themes of the
Asian Citizens Assembly 2010: i.e., Ethics, Equity, Education, Ecology, Economy
(of Solidarity) and share your personal experiences and practical solutions.
Essay Guidelines:
1. The International Essay Competition is open to all young people,
students and non-students alike, between the ages of 18 and 29, from all
countries of the world. (For proof of age, all participants must submit the
first page of their passport copy by email.)
2. Essays should be typewritten and be no more than 2,000 words.
3. Essays must have a cover page indicating, essay title; name of
author, postal address, telephone number, e-mail address(s), nationality, sex
and age as of August 18, 2010.
4. All essays must be submitted by e-mail in PDF or MS Word format,
with the cover page and essay sent together as one document in English to the essay competition mail essay4a...@globalcitizens.org.in
5. Essays must be written by one person.
Co-authored essays will be disqualified.
6. Essays must be original and unpublished
Awards: The following awards will be
given respectively:
1st Prize: *Roundtrip economy ticket
to attend the Asian Citizens Assembly 2010, Youth Assembly (18th – 19th
August) and Asian Intergenerational Assembly (20th to 22nd
August) in Bangalore, India
2nd Prize: *Roundtrip economy ticket
to attend the Asian Citizens Assembly 2010 Youth Assembly (18th - 19th
August) and Asian Intergenerational Assembly (20th – 22nd
August) in Bangalore, India
(Note: * The Organizers will send the invitation letter for visa processing but
it’s the winner’s responsibility to obtain his/her his visa on time for
participation at the Assembly. )
3rd Prize: Digital Camera
4th Prize: A set
of Prize Winning Water Photographs from the World Youth Water Alliance.
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(Mr.) ANUGRAHA JOHN
P.O Box 3210. R.T Nagar Post. Bangalore - 560 032.INDIA.
Email: ajoh...@globalcitizens.org.in
Mobile:+91-94481 92010
www.globalcitizens.org.in || www.chinaindiaforum.org.in || www.asianassembly2010.org.in