Tag Archives: writing

GOI PEACE FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL ESSAY CONTEST FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Application Deadline: June 15, 2024 (23:59 your local time).

LOCATION: Japan

This annual essay contest is organized in an effort to harness the energy, creativity and initiative of the world’s youth in promoting a culture of peace and sustainable development. It also aims to inspire society to learn from the young minds and to think about how each of us can make a difference in the world.

Theme:

My Experience of Overcoming Conflict”: Conflicts occur for a variety of reasons, including differences in opinions and values. Have you ever had an experience of overcoming a conflict that you were involved in? What did you learn from that experience? How do you want to make use of what you learned, for your own life and for society?

ELIGIBILITY:

Participation is free of charge.

All nationalities can participate from anywhere in the world.

Essays may be submitted by anyone up to 25 years old (as of June 15, 2024) in one of the following age categories: a) Children (ages up to 14) b) Youth (ages 15 – 25)

Essays must be 700 words or less in English or French, or 1600 characters or less in Japanese. Essays must be typed, with your name, email address and essay title included at the top of the first page.

There are no particular rules regarding formatting (font style, size, line space, etc.). However, essays must be submitted in either MS Word (DOC/DOCX) or PDF format.

Your name, email address and essay title are not included in the word count limit.

Entries must be submitted online. To send your essay online, you must go to the online registration page, and follow the required steps. Entries submitted by postal mail or e-mail are not accepted.

Teachers and youth directors may submit a collection of essays from their class or group by creating an ‘account for school/organization entrant’ on the online registration page.

Only one entry per person is accepted.

We are unable to confirm receipt of essays.

Essays must be original and unpublished.

BENEFIT:

The following awards will be given in the Children’s category and Youth category respectively:

1st Prize: Certificate, prize of 100,000 Yen (approx. US$660 as of Feb. 2024) and gift … 1 entrant

2nd Prize: Certificate, prize of 50,000 Yen (approx. US$330 as of Feb. 2024) and gift … 3 entrants

3rd Prize: Certificate and gift … 5 entrants

Honorable Mention: Certificate and gift … 25 entrants

1st to 3rd prize winners will be invited to the Winners Gathering to be held online.
Additional awards (Best School Award, School Incentive Award) will be given if applicable.
All prize winners will be announced on October 31, 2024 (Japan time) on this website. Certificates and gifts will be mailed to the winners in January 2025.
We are unable to answer individual inquiries concerning contest results.

APPLY

TOGETHER TOWARDS TOMORROW, ASHOKA CHANGEMAKERS CHALLENGE

Application Deadline: July 01, 2024

LOCATION: Multiple Regions

Join their global innovation challenge: Together Towards Tomorrow, a collaboration between Ashoka and HSBC, which invites changemakers from around the world with initiatives that unite people across generations to activate young people as leaders. 

ELIGIBILITY:

Participants must meet the following eligibility criteria: 

The “Together, Towards, Tomorrow” Challenge is open to individuals driving impact in Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vietnam.

Your leadership structure requires at least one member born in 1994 or later, who has held a leadership position for at least 12 months. If your organization is less than one year old, at least one founding member must be born in or after 1994. 

Entries must be submitted in English and an Applicant is not allowed to submit more than one application.

Employees of HSBC, advertising agencies, promotion agencies and other service providers for this Challenge, their immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling, regardless of where they reside) are not eligible. 

Partners or past HSBC challenge winners or initiatives that are already financed or supported by HSBC, its affiliates, subsidiaries or joint ventures are not eligible.

Your venture must be at an early- or mid- stage.

Your initiative must be incorporated (as a non-profit, for-profit, or hybrid organization).  

You must be 18 or above at the time of submitting this application.

Entries will only be accepted in English (winners will be expected to engage in activities that require English proficiency). 

If your solution has not been implemented at scale; you must have a clear business plan and a minimum-viable solution (prototype, pilot, or another proof of concept).

Only one application per individual/venture will be accepted.

BENEFIT:

All eligible applicants will receive:

Receive feedback from Ashoka and/or HSBC representatives.

Have a chance to connect with a community changemakers through this challenge (by providing/receiving feedback, and meeting them through community events).

Early Entry Applicants will receive:

Those who get their application in by June 3rd 2024 will have the chance to be selected as Early Entry Winners.

All Early Entry Applicants will receive feedback ahead of the final entry deadline.

3 Early Entry Winners will be awarded $1,500 each  

Note: Being selected as an early entry winner does not mean that you will be selected as a final challenge winner. 

Winners Awards:

Up to 12 winners, will receive a minimum of $15,000 and up to $25,000.  

We will select a minimum of 3 winners at Early Stage (0-3 years since registration), and a minimum of 3 winners that are at an Established Stage (3+ years since registration).

The top winner in each of these two categories will receive a prize of $25,000.

APPLY