peace essay competition

United States Institute of Peace

National high school essay contest.

USIP partners with the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) on the annual National High School Essay Contest. The contest each year engages high school students in learning and writing about issues of peace and conflict, encouraging appreciation for diplomacy’s role in building partnerships that can advance peacebuilding and protect national security. 

The winner of the contest receives a $2,500 cash prize, an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. to meet U.S. Department of State and USIP leadership, and a full-tuition paid voyage with Semester at Sea upon the student’s enrollment at an accredited university. The runner-up receives a $1,250 cash prize and a full scholarship to participate in the International Diplomacy Program of the National Student Leadership Conference. 

2023 National High School Essay Contest

The American Foreign Service Association’s national high school essay contest completed its twenty-third year with over 400 submissions from 44 states. Three randomized rounds of judging produced this year’s winner, Justin Ahn, a junior from Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, Massachusetts. In his essay, “Mending Bridges: U.S.-Vietnam Reconciliation from 1995 to Today,” Ahn focuses on the successful reconciliation efforts by the Foreign Service in transforming U.S.-Vietnam relations from post-war tension to close economic and strategic partnership.

Ahn will travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with a member of the Department of State’s leadership and receive a full tuition scholarship to an educational voyage with Semester at Sea.

Niccolo Duina was this year’s runner-up. He is currently a junior at Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas. Duina will be attending the international diplomacy program of the National Student Leadership Conference this summer.

There were eight honorable mentions:

• Santiago Castro-Luna – Chevy Chase, Maryland
• Dante Chittenden – Grimes, Iowa 
• Merle Hezel – Denver, Colorado
• Adarsh Khullar – Villa Hills, Kentucky
• Nicholas Nall – Little Rock, Arkansas
• Ashwin Telang – West Windsor, New Jersey
• Himani Yarlagadda – Northville, Michigan 
• Sophia Zhang – San Jose, California

Congratulations! We thank all students and teachers who took the time to research and become globally engaged citizens who care about diplomacy, development and peacebuilding.

2023 National High School Essay Contest Topic

In 2024, the U.S. Foreign Service will celebrate its 100th birthday. The Foreign Service is an important element of the American approach to peacebuilding around the world. Over the last century, U.S. diplomats have been involved in some of the most significant events in history — making decisions on war and peace, responding to natural disasters and pandemics, facilitating major treaties, and more.

As AFSA looks back on their century-long history, we invite you to do the same. This year, students are asked to explore a topic that touches upon this important history and sheds light on how vital it is for America to have a robust professional corps focused on diplomacy, development and peace in the national interest.

In your essay, you will select a country or region in which the U.S. Foreign Service has been involved in at any point since 1924 and describe — in 1,500 words or less — how the Foreign Service was successful or unsuccessful in advancing American foreign policy goals, including promoting peace, in this country/region and propose ways in which it might continue to improve those goals in the coming years.

Contest deadline: April 3, 2023

Download the study guide for the 2023 National High School Essay Contest. This study guide provides students with a basic introduction to the topic and some additional context that can assist them in answering the question. It includes the essay question, prizes and rules for the contest; an introduction to diplomacy and peacebuilding; key terms; topics and areas students might explore; and a list of other useful resources.

Learn more about the contest rules and how to submit your essay on the American Foreign Service Association’s contest webpage .

2022 National High School Essay Contest

Katherine Lam, a freshman from University High School in Tucson, Arizona, is the 2022 National High School Essay Contest winner. In her essay, “Competition and Coaction in Ethiopia: U.S. and Chinese Partnerships for International Stabilization,” Lam focuses on how the Foreign Service has partnered with other U.S. government agencies, nongovernmental organizations and — most notably — China to promote peace and development in Ethiopia. Lam will travel to Washington, D.C., to meet with a member of the U.S. Department of State’s leadership and gain full tuition for an educational voyage with Semester at Sea.

Olivia Paulsen was this year’s runner-up. She is a currently a junior receiving a home-schooled education in Concord, Massachusetts. Paulsen will be attending the international diplomacy program of the National Student Leadership Conference this summer.

The 2022 honorable mentions were: Josh Diaz (Little Rock, AR); Grace Hartman (Bethlehem, PA); Elena Higuchi (Irvine, CA); Ovea Kaushik (Oklahoma City, OK); Evan Lindemann (Palm Desert, CA); Percival Liu (Tokyo, Japan); Alexander Richter (San Jose, CA); and Gavin Sun (Woodbury, MN).

USIP congratulates all the winners of the 2022 National High School Essay Contest.

Partnerships for Peace in a Multipolar Era

The current multipolar era poses challenges for U.S. foreign policy but also provides new opportunities for partnership across world powers—including emerging great powers like China and Russia—to build peace in conflict-affected countries. Describe a current situation where American diplomats and peacebuilders are working with other world powers, as well as local and/or regional actors, in a conflict-affected country to champion democracy, promote human rights, and/or resolve violent conflict.    A successful essay will lay out the strategies and tactics U.S. Foreign Service Officers and American peacebuilders are employing to build successful partnerships with other world and regional powers and with local actors in the chosen current situation.  The essay will also describe specific ways that these partnerships are helping to promote stability and build peace.

Contest deadline: April 4, 2022

Download the study guide for the 2022 National High School Essay Contest. This study guide provides students with a basic introduction to the topic and some additional context that can assist them in answering the question. It includes the essay question, prizes, and rules for the contest; an introduction to diplomacy and peacebuilding; key terms; topics and areas students might explore; and a list of other useful resources.

Learn more about the contest rules and how to submit your essay on the American Foreign Service Association’s contest webpage.  

2021 National High School Essay Contest

Mariam Parray, a sophomore from Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas, is the 2021 National High School Essay Contest winner. In her essay, “Diplomats and Peacebuilders in Tunisia: Paving the Path to Democracy,” Ms. Parray focuses on how the Foreign Service partnered with other U.S. government agencies and NGOs to effect a peaceful democratic transition in Tunisia. She emphasizes the importance of multifaceted approaches as well as the importance of bringing marginalized groups into the fold. Mariam will travel to Washington to meet with a member of the Department of State’s leadership and will also gain a full tuition to an educational voyage with Semester at Sea. Harrison McCarty was this year’s runner-up. Coincidentally, he is also a sophomore from Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas. Harrison will be attending the international diplomacy program of the National Student Leadership Conference this summer. The 2021 honorable mentions were: Louisa Eaton (Wellesley, MA); Samuel Goldston (Brooklyn, NY); Lucy King (Bainbridge Island, WA); Haan Jun Lee (Jakarta, Indonesia); Khaled Maalouf (Beirut, Lebanon); Madeleine Shaw (Bloomington, IN); Allison Srp (Austin, MN); and Daniel Zhang (Cortland, NY).

USIP congratulates all the winners of the 2021 National High School Essay Contest. 

Diplomats and Peacebuilders: Powerful Partners

What characteristics lead to a successful effort by diplomats and peacebuilders to mediate or prevent violent conflict? The United States Foreign Service—often referred to as America’s first line of defense—works to prevent conflict from breaking out abroad and threats from coming to our shores. Peacebuilders work on the ground to create the conditions for peace and resolve conflicts where they are most needed. 

Successful essays will identify, in no more than 1,250 words, a situation where diplomats worked on a peacebuilding initiative with partners from the country/region in question, nongovernmental organizations, and other parts of the U.S. government, and then go on to analyze what characteristics and approaches made the enterprise a success.  

Contest deadline: April 5, 2021

Download the study guide for the 2021 National High School Essay Contest. This study guide provides students with a basic introduction to the topic and some additional context that can assist them in answering the question. It includes key terms in conflict management and peacebuilding and examples of peacebuilding initiatives, with reflection questions for independent learners to dig more deeply or for teachers to encourage class reflection and discussion. We hope this study guide will be a useful resource for educators and students participating in this contest, and for educators who want their students to learn more about this year’s contest topic.

2020 National High School Essay Contest

Jonas Lorincz, a junior from Marriotts Ridge High School in Marriottsville, MD, is the 2020 National High School Essay Contest winner. In his essay, “Verification, Mediation, and Peacebuilding: The Many Roles of the U.S. Foreign Service in Kosovo,” Mr. Lorincz focused on the importance of interagency cooperation in mediating the crisis in Kosovo – primarily looking into how diplomats and other civilian agencies engaged in peacebuilding throughout the conflict.

Claire Burke was this year’s runner-up. She is a junior at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee, KS. 

The 2020 honorable mentions were: Grace Cifuentes (Concord, CA), Grace Lannigan (Easton, CT), Seryung Park (Tenafly, NJ), Vynateya Purimetla (Troy, MI), David Richman (Norfolk, VA), Madeleine Shaw (Bloomington, IN), Sara Smith (Fargo, ND), and Jack Viscuso (Northport, NY).  USIP congratulates all the winners of the 2020 National High School Essay Contest. 

2020 National High School Essay Contest Topic

Why Diplomacy and Peacebuilding Matter

How do members of the Foreign Service work with other civilian parts of the U.S. Government to promote peace, national security and economic prosperity?

Qualified essays focused on a specific challenge to U.S. peace and prosperity and included one example of the work of the Foreign Service and one or more examples of collaboration between America’s diplomats and other civilian (i.e. non-military) U.S. Government agencies or organizations.

2019 National High School Essay Contest

In its 21st year, the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA)’s National High School Essay Contest encouraged students to think about how and why the United States engages globally to build peace, and about the role that the Foreign Service plays in advancing U.S. national security and economic prosperity.

For the second year in a row, the National High School Essay Contest focused on an important aspect of operating in countries affected by or vulnerable to violent conflict: effective coordination of the many different foreign policy tools the United States has at its disposal. Whether you were addressing the prompt for a second year or new to the contest, the contest will have challenged you to expand your understanding of the role of the Foreign Service and other actors in foreign policy, identify case studies, and provide a sophisticated analysis in a concise manner.

The essay prompt and a helpful study guide are included below; you can find out more information about the rules and how to submit by checking out AFSA’s essay contest page .

2019 Essay Question

The United States has many tools to advance and defend its foreign policy and national security interests around the world—from diplomatic approaches pursued by members of the Foreign Service, to the range of options available to the U.S. military. In countries affected by or vulnerable to violent conflict, peacebuilding tools are important additions to the national security toolkit.

In such complex environments, cooperation across agencies and approaches is challenging, but it can also blend knowledge and skills in ways that strengthen the overall effort to establish a lasting peace. On the other hand, lack of coordination can lead to duplication of effort, inefficient use of limited resources and unintended consequences.

In a 1,000-1,250-word essay, identify two cases—one you deem successful and one you deem unsuccessful—where the U.S. pursued an integrated approach to build peace in a conflict-affected country. Analyze and compare these two cases, addressing the following questions:

• What relative strengths did members of the Foreign Service and military actors bring to the table? What peacebuilding tools were employed? Ultimately, what worked or did not work in each case?
• How was each situation relevant to U.S. national security interests?
• What lessons may be drawn from these experiences for the pursuit of U.S. foreign policy more broadly?

Download the study guide for the 2019 AFSA National High School Essay Contest

2018 National High School Essay Contest

Jennifer John from Redwood City, CA is the 2018 National High School Essay Contest winner, surpassing close to 1,000 other submissions. Her essay examined to what extent U.S. interagency efforts in Iraq and Bosnia were successful in building peace. Aislinn Niimi from Matthews, NC was the runner up.

The 2018 honorable mentions were: Alex, DiCenso (North Kingstown, RI),Alexandra Soo (Franklin, MI), Caroline Bellamy (Little Rock AR), Colin LeFerve (Indianapolis, IN), Elizabeth Kam (Burlingham, CA), Emma Singh (Tenafly NJ), Emma Chambers (Little Rock AR),  Francesca Ciampa (Brooksville, ME), Greta Bunce (Franktown, VA), Isaac Che (Mount Vernon OH), Isabel Davis (Elk River MN), Katrina Espinoza (Watsonvile, CA), Molly Ehrig (Bethlehem, PA), Payton McGoldrick (Bristow, VA), Rachel Russell (Cabin John, MD), Sarah Chapman (Tucson, AZ), Shalia Lothe (Glen Allen VA), Sohun Modha (San Jose CA), Suhan Kacholia (Chandler, AZ), Supriya Sharma (Brewster, NY), Sydney Adams (Fort Wayne, IN), Tatum Smith (Little Rock AR), and William Milne (Fort Wayne, IN).  

2017 National High School Essay Contest

Nicholas Deparle, winner of the 2017 AFSA National High School Essay Contest, comes from Sidwell Friends School in Washington DC. A rising senior at the time, Mr. Deparle covers the Internally Displaced Persons crisis in Iraq and potential ideas to help resolve the issue.  Read his winning essay here . Mr. Manuel Feigl, a graduate of Brashier Middle College Charter High School in Simpsonville, SC took second place.

This year there were twenty honorable mentions: Mohammed Abuelem ( Little Rock, Ark.), Lucas Aguayo-Garber (Worcester, Mass.), Rahul Ajmera (East Williston, N.Y.), Taylor Gregory (Lolo, Mont.), Rachel Hildebrand (Sunnyvale, Calif.), Ryan Hulbert (Midland Park, N.J.), India Kirssin (Mason, Ohio), Vaibhav Mangipudy (Plainsboro, N.J.), William Marsh (Pittsburgh, Penn.), Zahra Nasser (Chicago, Ill.), Elizabeth Nemec (Milford, N.J.), David Oks (Ardsley, N.Y.), Max Pumilia (Greenwood Village, Colo.), Nikhil Ramaswamy (Plano, Texas), Aditya Sivakumar (Beaverton, Ore.), Donovan Stuard (Bethlehem, Penn.), Rachel Tanczos (Danielsville, Penn.), Isabel Ting (San Ramon, Calif.), Kimberley Tran (Clayton, Mo.), and Chenwei Wang (Walnut, Calif.).

2017 Essay Contest Topic

According to the United Nations, 65 million people worldwide have left their homes to seek safety elsewhere due to violence, conflict, persecution, or human rights violations. The majority of these people are refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Imagine you are a member of the U.S. Foreign Service —– a diplomat working to promote peace, support prosperity, and protect American citizens while advancing the interests of the United States abroad – and are now assigned to the U.S. embassy in one of these four countries.

• Turkey (Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs)
• Kenya (Bureau of African Affairs)
• Afghanistan (Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs)
• Iraq (Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs)

Your task is to provide recommendations to address the refugee/IDP crisis facing the country in which you are now posted. Using the resources available to you as a member of the Foreign Service, write a memo to your Ambassador outlining how the United States might help address the current unprecedented levels of displacement. You may choose to address issues related to the causes of refugee crisis, or to focus on the humanitarian crisis in your host country.

A qualifying memo will be 1,000-1,250 words and will answer the following questions:

• How does the crisis challenge U.S. interests in the country you are posted and more broadly?
• Specifically outline the steps you propose the U.S. should take to tackle the roots or the consequences of the crisis, and explain how it would help solve the issue or issues you are examining. How will your efforts help build peace or enhance stability?
• How do you propose, from your embassy/post of assignment, to foster U.S. government interagency cooperation and cooperation with the host-country government to address these issues?  Among U.S. government agencies, consider U.S. Agency for International Development, the Foreign Commercial Service and the U.S. Institute of Peace.

Memo Template

TO: Ambassador ______________________

FROM: Only use your first name here

RE: Think of this as your title, make sure to include the country you are writing about

Here you want to lay out the problem, define criteria by which you will be deciding the best steps the U.S. could take, and include a short sentence or two on your final recommendation. Embassy leadership is very busy and reads many memos a day —– they should be able to get the general ““gist”” of your ideas by reading this section.

Background:

This section should provide any background information about the crisis or conflict relevant to your proposed policy. Here, you should mention why the issue is important to U.S. interests, especially peace and security.

Proposed Steps:

This is where you outline your proposed policy. Be specific in describing how the U.S. might address this issue and how these steps can contribute to peace and security. Include which organizations you propose partnering with and why.

Recommendation:

This is where you write your final recommendations for embassy leadership. Think of this as a closing paragraph.

Companion Guide for the 2017 National High School Essay Contest

It is no easy task to jump into the role of a diplomat, especially when confronted by such an urgent crisis. USIP, in consultation with AFSA, developed a guide to provide a basic introduction to the topic and some additional context that can assist you in answering the question, while still challenging you to develop your own unique response. As such, this guide should be used as a starting point to your own research and as you ultimately prepare a compelling memo outlining recommendations the U.S. government should follow to respond to the refugee and IDP crisis.

In the guide you will find: insights into the role of the Foreign Service; country, organization, and key-term briefs to provide a foundational understanding; and a list of other useful resources. Download the Companion Guide for the 2017 National High School Essay Contest (.pdf).

2016 National High School Essay Contest

USIP first partnered with AFSA for the 2016 contest and was pleased to welcome winner Dylan Borne to Washington in August. His paper describes his role as an economic officer in the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance. He writes about promoting education for girls in Afghanistan through on-line courses and dispersal of laptops. Read his winning essay (.pdf).

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Registration page for International Essay Contest for Young People

Before you register, please read the contest guidelines carefully.

CONTEST GUIDELINES

Guidelines for the 2024 International Essay Contest for Young People will be announced on this website and through the Goi Peace Foundation’s mailing list and facebook page by mid-February 2024. Winners Announced! -->

When do I register?

• You can submit your essay whenever you are ready.
• Since entries tend to concentrate on the deadline date, we recommend you submit your essay earlier to avoid difficulties in accessing the registration page.

How do I submit my essay?

• Before you register, please read the contest guidelines and FAQs carefully.
• Create your essay file in either MS Word (DOC/DOCX) or PDF format. Your essay file size must be 2MB or less. Your essay must be typed, with your name, email address and essay title included at the top of the first page.
• Go to either “Individual” or “School/Organization” Entrant Registration page.
• After entering all required information, click “SUBMIT” button at the bottom of the page to create an account.
• When your account is successfully created, you will be automatically logged in to “My Account”.
• For “INDIVIDUAL”: In “My Account”, click “Register Essay” on the side menu, attach your essay by selecting the file on your computer, and click “SUBMIT”. Only one entry per person is accepted . Once your entry is successfully submitted, you can download your certificate from the “Download Certificate”.
• For “SCHOOL/ORGANIZATION”: In “My Account”, click “Add/Delete Student” on the side menu, register one student per row, attach each essay by selecting the file on your computer, and click “SUBMIT.” Only one entry per person is accepted . Once your entry is successfully submitted, you can download your students’ certificates from the “Student List” and your certificate from the “Teacher‘s Certificate of Participation” on the side menu.
• If you leave “My Account” page, you can log in again with your email address and password from “Entrant login” on the top menu.
• Please note that you can only create one account with one email address.

I am submitting my own essay. <CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT>

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The goi peace foundation international essay contest for young people.

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International Peace Poster Contest

For over three decades, Lions clubs around the globe have been sponsoring a very special art contest in schools and youth groups. Creating peace posters gives children everywhere the chance to express their visions of peace and inspire the world through art and creativity.

The 2024-2025 Contest Peace Poster Contest Deadlines Order a Peace Poster Contest Kit Additional Resources Contest Winners Peace Poster Tabletop Exhibit

The 2024-2025 Contest

Peace Without Limits

For peace to be anything more than a possibility, we need to make it a priority. This year, we’re asking our young students to create a poster that speaks to our world’s infinite potential for kindness once we commit to pursuing the idea of peace without limits.

Peace Poster Contest Deadlines

Students ages 11, 12 or 13 as of November 15 are eligible to participate in the International Peace Poster Contest. Entries not meeting the following deadlines will be disqualified.

• January 15: Kits go on sale from the Club Supplies Sales Department at International Headquarters.
• October 1: Deadline to purchase kits from the Club Supplies Sales Department at International Headquarters.
• November 15: Postmark deadline for a club to send one winning poster (per contest sponsored) to the district governor.
• December 1: Postmark deadline for a district governor to send one winning district poster to multiple district council chairperson.
• December 1: Postmark deadline for a district governor not belonging to a multiple district to send one winning poster to the Brand & Creative Department at International Headquarters.
• December 1: Postmark deadline for a club not belonging to a district to send one winning entry to the Brand & Creative Department at International Headquarters.
• December 15: Postmark deadline for the multiple district council chairperson to send one winning poster to the Brand & Creative Department at International Headquarters.
• February 1: International winners notified on or before this date.

Order a Peace Poster Contest Kit

To sponsor the Peace Poster Contest, Lions clubs can order a contest kit from January 15 to October 1. The kit is available in 12 of our official languages. A kit is needed for each contest sponsored.

Each kit contains:

• Official Club Contest Guide and Rules
• Official School or Youth Group Contest Guide and Rules
• Participant Flyer to duplicate and give to participating students to take home
• Sticker to place on back of winning poster
• Certificates for contest winner and school or youth group

Order Your Kit

*To order a kit by phone, call Club Supplies Sales at (630) 571-5466 or 1-800-710-7822 (U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada only). 

Additional Resources

Peace Poster Honorable Mention Certificate Lions International Peace Essay Contest Peace Poster and Peace Essay Contest Social Media Kits Peace Poster Club Level Winner Press Release Template

Contest Winners 

Current Winners

Take a look at the 2023-2024 winners from around the world. 

Grand Prize Winners

Take a look back at the grand prize winners throughout the years. 

Peace Poster Tabletop Exhibit

The Tabletop Exhibit is a great way to draw additional attention to the contest, and encourage others to get involved. Past successful locations include libraries, community events and district, multiple district and state Lions conventions.

It’s available for loan free of charge to clubs, districts and multiple districts in the United States to promote the Peace Poster Contest. Please note that due to customs regulations, we are unable to ship the exhibit outside of the United States.

To learn more, contact (630) 203-3812.

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Goi Peace Foundation: International Essay Contest for Young People

*This program is an activity of the UNESCO Global Action Programme (GAP) on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).

This annual essay contest is organized in an effort to harness the energy, imagination 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: “Education to Build a Better Future for All”

We live in a world with many complex problems, both local and global. What kind of education and learning would help us address these challenges and create a sustainable world and a better life for all? Describe your concrete ideas for an ideal education.

1. Essays may be submitted by anyone up to 25 years old (as of June 15, 2016) in one of the following age categories: a) Children (ages up to 14) b) Youth (ages 15 – 25) 2. Essays must be 700 words or less in English, French, Spanish or German, or 1600 characters or less in Japanese, excluding essay title. Essays may be typed or printed. 3. Essays must have a cover page indicating (1) category (Children or Youth) (2) essay title (3) your name (4) address (5) phone number (6) e-mail (7) nationality (8) age as of June 15, 2016 (9) gender (10) school name (if applicable) (11) word count. Teachers and youth directors may submit a collection of essays from their class or group. Please enclose a list of participants’ names, ages and the name and contact information of the submitting teacher or director. * Entries missing any of the above information will not be considered. * Please note that the organizer is unable to confirm receipt of essays or answer individual inquiries concerning contest results. 4. Entries may be submitted by postal mail or online. * IMPORTANT: To send your essay online, you must go to the online registration page and follow the required steps. 5. Essays must be original and unpublished. Plagiarized entries will be rejected. 6. Essays must be written by one person. Co-authored essays are not accepted. 7. Copyright of the essays entered will be assigned to the organizer.

Entries must be received by June 15, 2016 (23:59 your local time).

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

1st Prize: Certificate and prize of 100,000 Yen (approx. US$880 as of February 2016) … 1 entrant 2nd Prize: Certificate and prize of 50,000 Yen (approx. US$440 as of February 2016) … 2 entrants 3rd Prize: Certificate and gift … 5 entrants Honorable Mention: Certificate and gift … 25 entrants

 * 1st prize winners will be invited to the award ceremony in Tokyo, Japan scheduled for November 2016 and will receive the Minister of Education Award. (Travel expenses will be covered by the organizer.) * Additional awards (Recognition for Effort, Best School Award, School Incentive Award) will be given if applicable. * All prize winners will be announced by the end of October 2016 on the Goi Peace Foundation web site (www.goipeace.or.jp). Certificates and gifts will be mailed to the winners in December 2016.

Please send entries to:

International Essay Contest c/o The Goi Peace Foundation 1-4-5 Hirakawacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0093 Japan

OR submit online.

For inquiries, please contact [email protected] 

Essay Contest 2016 Flyer (PDF)

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Early childhood development: Pathways to sustainable peace

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Goi Peace Foundation International Essay Contest for Young People 2024

Deadline: June 15, 2024

Applications are open for the Goi Peace Foundation International Essay Contest for Young People 2024 . 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.

The theme for the year is “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?

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 for 1 entrant
• 2nd Prize: Certificate, prize of 50,000 Yen (approx. US$330 as of Feb. 2024) and gift for 3 entrants
• 3rd Prize: Certificate and gift for 5 entrants
• Honorable Mention: Certificate and gift for 25 entrants

Eligibility

• Children (ages up to 14)
• 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.
• 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.
• Essays must be original and unpublished.
• Entries that include plagiarized content or content created by generative AI (such as ChatGPT) will be rejected.
• Essays must be written by one person. Co-authored essays are not accepted.

Application

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.

Click here to apply

For more information, visit Goi Peace Foundation Contest .

Jude Ogar is an educator and youth development practitioner with years of experience working in the education and youth development space. He is passionate about the development of youth in Africa.

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For over three decades, Lions clubs around the globe have been sponsoring a very special art contest in schools and youth groups. Creating peace posters gives children everywhere the chance to express their visions of peace and inspire the world through art and creativity. The Peace Essay Contest was created to provide an opportunity for visually impaired young people to express their feelings of peace and is, along with the Peace Poster Contest, a staple of Lions clubs around the world.  

Previous Winners

The Australian Lions Peace Poster winner for 2022-23 is from District 201V5 and has also won an international merit award.

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3 international awards for lions australia – peace poster contest and kindness matters service award.

Watch Joshua read his 2019-20 winning essay here.

Australian Winner of the 2021-22 Essay Competition

We are all connected by rachael jacobson.

For years we have been connected through music, God, social clubs and groups and workplaces. Back in the old days it was only small groups talking, but now it’s billions and billions of people chatting to each other, learning together, even playing together in schools, workplaces and even just a little chat in the parks. But now we are connected by our technology.

We can easily speak to anyone, anywhere, anytime. Just some tiny little apps can let us speak to people without leaving our very own home, like Tiktok, Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, even games like Roblox, Fortnite, Apex legends and loads and loads more, but the main thing is that we have used a heap of these apps because of the virus (covid-19).

The Corona virus has made visiting and talking to our families, friends and close relatives fairly difficult because of how rapidly it is spreading. As a result of the virus spreading rapidly, our borders close and some people go into lockdown. Since the borders have shut, that means no more travelling in airplanes across to other countries or states. It’s not permanent, it’s only temporary, but that also means for the people in lockdown, it’s home school and working at home instead of at the workplace or on the school grounds. Also it does mean we have to use our devices to communicate to our friends and family in lockdown in other states.

If we do want to visit our friends and families from other states and countries, we have to vaccinate. If we do vaccinate that’s good but at the same time we could get side effects which could include blood clots and if you have underlying medical issues, you could die from the vaccine. But since some of us have other reasons not to get the jab, we would have to continue to use our mobile phones, tablets/iPad and other technology to stay connected.

As hard as it seems, we all have stayed connected to our loved ones and our friends through these tricky and difficult times. As years go on we all will stick together no matter what; even if we were to win everything in the world (including money, houses, technology etc.). We wouldn’t do it because we love our home and family. Everybody’s different from their head even to their toes, even if they don’t have toes! It doesn’t matter, because we are all connected in our own way. 🙂

Lions International Peace Poster Contest 2024/25

“Peace Without Limits”

The Lions International Peace Poster Contest is one of many Lions Clubs International Youth Programs that aim to provide opportunities for self-development, education, contribution and achievement for young people.

The Contest presents a unique, enjoyable and enriched educational experience for youth and an enrichment of school curriculum areas of learning, creating, communicating, technology and achievement and contributes to further development of artistic and writing skill, self-expression and personal growth; sharing ideas and messages of peace and acknowledging youth positive efforts and achievements.

Youth who are 11, 12 or 13 years of age by 15th November are eligible to participate.

Each year more than 600,000 young people from many countries around the world participate in the Contest – since the initial Contest in 1988, more than 6 million youth in schools and youth groups have enthusiastically applied creative skills, attention to Contest Peace Theme, Rules and Criteria to express individual visions of peace and in their colourful peace posters and quotes on peace.

Contest Peace Theme, Rules and Conditions

Lions Clubs worldwide sponsor schools and youth groups e.g. YMCA, Scouts, Guides and other organised youth groups for the Contest. Members of a Leo Group may participate in the LIPP/EC through their school’s or community youth group’s participation in the Contest.

• Youth who are 11, 12 or 13 years of age by 15th November of year of Contest.
• Each year the Contest features a specific Peace Theme. The Peace Theme for 2024-25 Lions International Peace Poster Contest is “Peace Without Limits”
• One entry per student and each entry work of only one student
• Art work must be individual student’s original creation – no duplicates are accepted
• Art paper: to be flexible material so that it can be rolled up for mailing tube.
• Do not fold poster
• Art work size: N0 smaller than 33cm x 50cm (13inch x 20 inch), No larger than 50cm x 60cm (20 inch x 24 inch)
• Do not mat, frame or laminate art work
• All media accepted – note: chalk, charcoal and pastel entries should be sealed with a fixative spray to prevent smearing.
• Three-dimensional entries are not accepted
• Nothing may be glued, stapled or attached to the art work in any way.
• The use lettering in any language or numbering on the front of the poster, in any language, is not allowed.
• All artists initials or signatures can be written on the back of the poster (upper right or left side of art work)

Conditions:

• Participants accept all responsibility for late, loss, misdirected or illegible entries. Entries sent with insufficient postage will be disqualified. Lions Clubs International is not responsible for entries damaged destroyed or lost during the judging process. International Entries – cannot be acknowledged or returned, they become the property of Lions Clubs International upon receipt. Peace Poster images cannot be used without written permission from Lions Clubs International.
• In consideration for the opportunity to enter the Peace Poster Contest, participants agree to allow Lions Clubs International to use their names and photographs for promotional and publicity purposes. In addition, the International Grand Prize Winner, two family members (one being a parent or legal guardian) and the sponsoring club president or a club member (as designated by the sponsoring club president) are required to attend an Award Ceremony on Lions Day at the United Nations (subject to change). An International Grand Prize winner is not eligible to receive subsequent prizes in future Peace Poster Contests sponsored by Lions Club International. By entering, participants agree to be bound by these rules and the decisions of the judges and Lions International.
• Lions Clubs International may cancel the contest without notice at any time. The contest is void where prohibited, taxed or restricted by law.

Judging Process

Judging of Peace Posters is conducted at several levels – Club, District, Multiple District and International

Judges/Judging Panel – an appropriate individual such as the school principal, youth group leader, local artist, club representative or a panel of judges select winning peace poster.

Suggestions for Club and District judging

Club Level – judges select 1 Winning Peace Poster and 2 Honourable Mention Peace Posters

District level – judges select 1 Winning Peace Poster and 1 Honourable Mention Peace Poster

At Multiple District – judges select 1 Winning Peace Poster and 1 Highly Commended

At International level, panel of judges select 24 finalists – 1 Grand Prize Winner and 23 Merit Award Achievers.

Judging Criteria:

Peace Posters selected to advance to the next level of judging must meet all the requirements as outline in the Contest Rules, Conditions and evaluated on level of Originality, Artistic Merit and Expression of Peace Theme – this year’s Contest Peace Theme is “Peace Without Limits”.

Forwarding Winning Peace Poster to next level of judging.

After the winning peace poster is selected, it must be prepared and forwarded for the next level of judging. Clubs that sponsor more than 1 school/youth group must have purchased 1 Kit per school or youth group sponsored e.g. a Club which is sponsoring 3 schools will need to have purchased 3 kits (1 per school) and therefore will have 3 winning peace posters (1 winner per school) to forward to next level of judging.

Each Winning Peace Poster must have a Winner Sticker placed on the back of the Peace Poster at the bottom right hand corner. Completion of details as follows:

• WINNER STICKER
• Section 1 – to be completed by school, parent/guardian/student, QUOTE ON PEACE: student’s quote on peace written by student.
• Section 2 – Completed by Club President.
• Section 3 – Completed by District Governor
• Section 4 – Completed by Multiple District Council Chairperson
• Please follow directions on Winner Sticker. #Posters without completed Winner Sticker will be disqualified. Reproduction of Sticker is not permitted.
• Peace Posters much meet deadlines as set out in LIPP/EC Timeline – please see Timeline.

Acknowledgement, Encouragement, Awards

The Lions International Peace Poster Contest is not only about the promotion of world peace and international understanding and increasing awareness and improved attitude towards others; the Contest is also about encouraging youth to perform at personal best, it acknowledges youths’ positive efforts and achievements and generates increase of self-esteem and confidence in youth so that they may meet further challenges.

Certificates, Prizes, Award Presentations:

The Lions International Peace Poster Kit has an Achievement Certificate for the Winner and a Certification of Appreciation which is to be presented by Lions Club to the school/youth group.

Clubs and Districts may organise prizes for Winners and Honourable Mention achievers and organise a special award ceremony/presentation. Clubs and Districts may wish to arrange with schools/youth groups to visit school/youth group for award presentation or alternatively, Clubs and Districts may wish to invite youth, families and school/youth group representatives to Club or District award presentation.

The Certificate of Participation is to acknowledge, encourage and reward all young people that participate in the Lions International Peace Poster/Essay Contest and complete/submit a peace poster or essay for judging at Club level.

International Awards:

Grand Prize Winner receives a trip to an award ceremony where he/she receives $5,000 (or equivalent) and an award. Two family members (one being the winner’s parent or legal guardian) and the sponsoring Lions Club President or Club member (as designated by Club President) will accompany the winner to the award ceremony. 23 Merit Award achievers receive US$500 and Certificate of Achievement.

Promotion of Peace Message throughout the world

The message of world peace and international understanding is promoted throughout the world through displays of Peace Posters, Quotes of Peace and Essays in schools, youth groups and local communities and social media worldwide. Lions Clubs and Districts promote Contest – Clubs and District website and other media, local newspaper and organize local peace poster and essay displays.

Peace Poster/Essay Contest timeline –

As a guideline, dates for Club judging need to be completed by 30 October, District by 15 November, MD judging to take place end of November. Each year , each district has their deadlines and Clubs should liaise with District Officers to make sure that they have posters/Essays to deadlines on time.

Students ages 11, 12 or 13 as of November 15 are eligible to participate in the International Peace Poster Contest. Entries not meeting the following deadlines will be disqualified.

• January 15: Kits go on sale from the Club Supplies Sales Department at International Headquarters.
• October 1: Deadline to purchase kits from the Lions Shop .
• Mid-October :Club to send one winning poster and /or essay to District Chairperson.
• Late October to Early November: District Governor or District Chairperson to send one winning district poster and/or essay to Multiple District Council Chairperson.
• November 27: All entries to MD Chairperson.
• December 15: Postmark deadline for the multiple district council chairperson to send one winning poster to the Brand and Marketing Strategy Department at International Headquarters.
• February 1: International winners notified on or before this date.

Benefits for youth

Participation in the Lions International Peace Poster and Essay Contest has many benefits for young people. Participation provides the opportunity to –

Participate in International Contest Use artistic/writing skills and acquired knowledge to express personal ideas/views and to create an individual, original artwork or essay Gain increased confidence, motivation, self-esteem and encouragement to undertake other challenges – especially when young people view their art work/essays on display in schools, youth group venues, local community and media and receive praise and acknowledgement for their personal best efforts and output. Increase awareness and understanding about importance of world peace and international understanding and respect/tolerance towards other people and cultures.

Lions International Peace Poster/Essay Contest kits

The Lions International Peace Poster/Essay Contest Kits contents include –

• Official Club Contest Guide and Rules
• Official School or Youth Group Contest Guide and Rules
• Participant Flyer to duplicate and give to participating students to take home
• Sticker to place on back of winning poster
• Certificates for contest winner and school or youth group
• Note: forward only the Official School or Youth Group Contest and the Participation Flyer (PPC-3) to your Club’s contact at the school or youth group. The Club retains all other items in the Kit.

District Contacts

Lions Australia District Map

C1 Julie Pickles [email protected] 3 Browning Crescent Parafield Gardens SA 5107 0411 637 513

C2 Ruth Pearsons [email protected] PO Box 1982 Victor Harbor SA 5211 0408 904 574

N1 Kel Kearns [email protected] 160/64 Newman St  Woolgoolga  NSW 2456 0439 427 822

N2 Lyn Matthews [email protected] PO Box 974 Merimbula NSW 2548 0416 001 054

N3 Pam Bennett [email protected] 16 Bendigo Road  Barnsley  NSW 2278 0412 786 631

N4 Peter Perry [email protected] Old Station Gollan NSW 2820 02 6846 6353

N5 Mark Sing [email protected] 72 Washington Ave Cromer NSW 2099 0422 403 687

Q1 Vicki Clark [email protected] 23 Sunnybrae Close Merrimac QLD 4226 0488 183 199

Q2 Peter Phillips [email protected] 5 Bauhinia Street Forrest Beach QLD 4850 0437 391 281

Q3 Diane Unwin [email protected] 94 Copeland Drive North Lakes  QLD 4509 0418 904 999

Q4 Melissa Webber [email protected] 30 Lamington Street The Range  QLD 4700 0407 474 687

T1 Julie Crawford [email protected] 113 Loonah Road Natone TAS 7321 0418 141 236

V1-4 Sue Ford [email protected] Unit 2/38 Hellier Street  Heidelberg Heights  VIC 3081 0414 780 234

V2 Shirley Blackwood [email protected] 10 Ramsay Street Nhill  VIC 3418 0409 140 341

V3 Glenda Paragreen [email protected] 427 Lower Franklin Road Foster VIC 3960 0438 044 346

V5 Katherine Parzis [email protected] PO Box 603 Mornington VIC 3931 Email 0400 045 348

V6 – Michelle Spence [email protected] 7 Pelican Court Wangaratta VIC 3677 0439 504 829

W1 – TBA

W2 Irene Camarri [email protected] 905 Cundinup West Road  Cundinup  WA 6275 08 9756 2024

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Call for Entries: 2024 International Essay Contest for Young People by The Goi Peace Foundation – Prizes and Certificates Available

Posted by admin | Mar 23, 2024 | Africa , America , Asia , Australia and Oceania , Awards , Competition , Continent , Europe , Latin America and the Caribbean , Middle East and North Africa , South America | 0 |

Introduction: The Goi Peace Foundation is pleased to announce the commencement of the 2024 International Essay Contest for Young People. This prestigious annual event invites youth from across the globe to share their insights and experiences on the theme of “My Experience of Overcoming Conflict.” The contest, designed to foster a culture of peace and sustainable development, offers a platform for young minds to reflect on their encounters with conflict and explore ways to contribute positively to society. In collaboration with UNESCO’s Education for Sustainable Development initiative, this contest aims to inspire the next generation to envision a harmonious world and take action towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Theme: The theme for this year’s contest is “My Experience of Overcoming Conflict.” Participants are encouraged to share personal narratives of navigating through conflicts, elucidating the lessons learned and the implications for their lives and communities. Conflicts may arise from diverse sources, including differences in opinions and values. Through this theme, contestants are prompted to delve into their own journeys of conflict resolution and contemplate how their experiences can contribute to positive change.

Guidelines:

• Eligibility: Individuals up to 25 years old (as of June 15, 2024) can participate in two age categories: Children (up to 14 years old) and Youth (15 – 25 years old).
• Essay Specifications: Submissions must be in English, French, or Japanese, with a word limit of 700 words or less for English/French essays and 1600 characters or less for Japanese essays. Essays should be typed and include the author’s name, email address, and essay title at the top of the first page. Formatting rules are flexible, but submissions must be in MS Word (DOC/DOCX) or PDF format.
• Submission: Entries must be submitted online via the registration page. Postal mail or email submissions will not be accepted. Teachers and youth directors can submit entries on behalf of their class or group by creating an account for school/organization entrants.
• Originality: Essays must be original and unpublished, with no plagiarized or AI-generated content. Co-authored essays are not permitted.
• Publication: By submitting an essay, participants grant permission to the organizer to publish it in any medium, while retaining ownership.
• Deadline: Entries must be received by June 15, 2024, 23:59 (local time).

Awards: The contest offers awards in both the Children’s and Youth categories:

• 1st Prize: Certificate, 100,000 Yen prize (approx. US$660), and a gift (1 winner per category)
• 2nd Prize: Certificate, 50,000 Yen prize (approx. US$330), and a gift (3 winners per category)
• 3rd Prize: Certificate and a gift (5 winners per category)
• Honorable Mention: Certificate and a gift (25 winners) Additionally, winners of the 1st to 3rd prizes will be invited to a Winners Gathering held online. Other awards, such as the Best School Award and School Incentive Award, will be presented as applicable. All winners will be announced on October 31, 2024, on the Goi Peace Foundation website, with certificates and gifts mailed in January 2025.

Conclusion: Young people are invited to participate in the 2024 International Essay Contest for Young People, offering them a platform to share their experiences of overcoming conflict and contribute to a culture of peace and sustainability. Through this contest, the Goi Peace Foundation aims to empower youth to become agents of positive change in their communities and beyond. For more information and to submit entries, visit the Goi Peace Foundation website.

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DEADLINE Jun 15, 2024

Goi peace foundation organizes essay contest [worldwide], posted on mar 13, 2024 in specialized topics.

Children and young adults up to 25 years old can enter this essay contest endorsed by UNESCO.

The  Goi Peace Foundation  presents its 2024 International Essay Contest for Young People on this year's theme: "My Experience of Overcoming Conflict."

Contestants are invited to explain their experience of overcoming conflict; what they learned from that experience; and how they want to make use of what they learned, for their own life and for society.

Essays must be 700 words or less, typed or printed in English or French, or 1,600 characters or less in Japanese. Essays in other languages must include a translation in one of the accepted languages.

The first and second place winners will receive a certificate and prize of JPY100,000 (US$660) and JPY50,000 (US$330), respectively.

The deadline is June 15.

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Rotary Peace Essay Competition

Review the resources on this page so that you can successfully understand the intent of the program and requirements of the essay competition., what does peace mean to you.

This essay competition is for  High School students  that want to learn more about peace and can communicate (1) what does peace mean to you, (2) what makes a peaceful community, and (3) how peace can be promoted in your community.

Competition Requirements

Participant must attend all four peace forum sessions (see schedule below). Submit a 1,000 – 2,000 word essay (single spaces, 12pt Times New Roman font) Submit the essay by May 18: A link will be provided upon registration.

Essay Prizes

1st prize: $1,500, 2nd prize: $900, 3rd prize: $500, peace forum schedule, guest speakers will share their thoughts about peace over three (3) consecutive weeks on thursdays at 4pm via zoom. • april 20th • april 27th • may 4th, an in-person discussion session will be held may 11th at 4:15-5:45pm., peace essay participant registration.

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Rotary’s Six Areas of Focus

Solving real problems takes real commitment and vision. for more than 115 years, rotary’s people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. from literacy and peace to water and health, we are always working to better our world, and we stay committed to the end., now…it’s your turn..

Clean Water & Sanitation

We support local solutions to bring clean water, sanitation, and hygiene to more people every day. Project ideas: beach/ocean clean-ups, water awareness and conservation, hand-washing/sanitation.

Preventing and treating disease

We educate and equip communities to stop the spread of life-threatening diseases like polio, HIV/AIDS, and malaria. Project ideas: Blankets for cancer patients, COVID prevention, blood drives.

Saving mothers & children

We expand access to quality care, so mothers and their children can live and grow stronger. Project ideas: meal packaging, nutrition awareness, stopping domestic violence, day-long clinic for dental/vision.

Improving education & literacy

Rotary aims to strengthen access to basic education and increases literacy for children and adults. Project ideas: book collection/distribution, poetry exhibits, literacy resources for refugees/prisons/other populations.

Growing local economies

We enhance economies by lifting up everyone in our community, create opportunities for decent and productive work for young and old. Project ideas: vocational training, financial literacy, reducing homelessness.

Building peace & resolving conflict

Rotary encourages conversations to foster understanding within and across cultures. Project ideas: Mediating conflict, anti-bullying, reducing discrimination, building goodwill between conflicting groups/cultures.

Contest Winner: Harvesting Citrus

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How to get involved.

British Isles Member Support Site

Peace Poster & Essay Competitions

>> Members only: Click here to access Lions directory (via forum login) <<

Please use the search box, or navigate using the categories from the home page. If you have specific questions, a chat facility is available.

Lions International Peace Poster and Peace Essay Competitions

2024-25 contest theme: ‘peace without limits’, contact details, key information.

The theme of this year’s Lions International Peace Poster provides young people (aged 11-13) with the opportunity to express their visions of peace through being connected with one another.

Students ages 11, 12, or 13 as of November 15 are eligible to participate in the International Peace Poster and Peace Essay Contests.

Peace essay contest

Created to give an opportunity for visually impaired young people to express their feelings of peace, the International Essay Contest is a staple of Lions clubs around the world. Lions work with local schools and area families to identify young people who are interested in participating and who could benefit from this program. One grand prize winner will receive an award and US$5,000.

Each essay must be submitted with a completed entry form. Essays must be no longer than 500 words in length, submitted in English, typed in black ink and double-spaced.

Peace poster contest

For over three decades, Lions clubs around the globe have been sponsoring a very special art contest in schools and youth groups. More than four million young people from 100 countries worldwide have taken part in the contest.

Creating peace posters gives children everywhere the chance to express their visions of peace and inspire the world through art and creativity. The young artists are free to use a variety of art mediums. They are encouraged to portray their life-experiences and culture in responding to the theme.

Every Lions Club is encouraged to engage with young people in their community to sponsor a Peace Poster contest entry.

Purchasing a Peace Poster pack

Lions clubs need to order a Peace Poster pack to enter the contest. Peace poster kits may be purchased from the MD105 head office (available from 15 January to 1 October). The Peace Poster kit and Essay Poster kit each cost £15.00 plus postage.

Each kit contains:

• Official club contest guide and rules
• Official school or youth group contest guide and rules
• Participant flyer to duplicate and give to participating students to take home
• Sticker to place on the back of the winning poster
• Certificates for the contest winner and school or youth group

Peace Poster judging

Each poster is judged on originality, artistic merit, and expression of the theme. Entries advance through several judging levels: local, district, multiple district, and international.

All district winners need to be received at Lions Clubs International (MD105) British Isles office by 1 December. An overall multiple district winner is then selected, and submitted for the international judging stage.

At the international level, judges from the art, peace, youth, education, and media communities select one grand prize winner and 23 merit award winners.

Winner of 2023-2024 theme ‘Dare to Dream’

Thank you to all the entrants of this year’s Peace Poster and Peace Essay Competition.

The Peace poster competition was won by Isabella Golez Age 12, sponsored by Bexhill Lions of District 105SE

Winner of the Peace Essay 2023-2024 theme ‘Dare to Dream’

Erica June Steel aged 13 with her Peace Essay ‘Dare to dream’ sponsored by Milton Keynes Stony Stratford Lions Club of District 105A

Depending on the location of punctuation Dare to Dream can be said with negative connotations, however it is absolutely critical to dare to dream. Without the act of doing so we wouldn’t have had great achievements like climbing mount Everest, circumnavigating the world or landing on the moon. All of the above and many more come from one or more people sitting down, and daring to dream.

Like many things in life Daring to dream can often start with a What if, “what if there was a form of airborne transport?” Led to the invention of Airplanes, “what if man kind could set foot on the moon?” Led to Apollo eleven and humans on the moon. However, daring to dream can also sometimes result in catastrophe, Hitler dreamt of a world without Jews and then we had the holocaust and World War 2. Putin dreams that he will rebuild the Soviet Union and look at the conflict in Ukraine. Catastrophic daring to dream doesn’t always stem from fascist leaders. As an example, in 1986 the space shuttle challenger disintegrated 73 seconds after take-off those seven lives wouldn’t have been lost if humans hadn’t dreamt of being in space.

Yet despite all the Pros and cons of daring to dream so much good could be done if mankind did it a little more. With a little more determination, selflessness, purpose and more than anything with the rest of humanity, nature and planet earth at the centre of their hearts.

Winner of 2022-2023 theme ‘Lead with Compassion’

Peace Essay Winner of 2022-2023  theme ‘Lead with Compassion’

Dalyzie Simpson, sponsored by Milton Keynes Stony Stratford Lions, who has just turned 14 years of age.

Lead With Compassion

Why should a leader be compassionate? ” You should not count your chickens before they hatch!” If you were a leader, you cannot just assume that your association know what they are meant to be doing, referring to “You should not count your chickens before they hatch” you do not know if all those chicken eggs will hatch so being the leader, you should be compassionate about leading your troop and they should be led by their leader with compassion without cutting any corners. If you com1t your chickens before they hatch, you are cutting corners by not waiting for them to hatch.

“Show the way to your fellow committee” Lead your people down the right path. A leader should be compassionate about everything they want their followers to believe, therefore they shall find a new leader and someone who is more compassionate about everything they say.

People who are followers should want to follow you as their leader because your compassionate about your beliefs and you should want others to obey you. If you were not compassionate about having to lead, your followers would not want to follow you and they would not want to support your beliefs if your feelings were not too strong about a certain topic. Make people of the public support you with your ambitions, hopes and dreams. Help your community work to their full potential and to their best abilities, further more you shall be able to help more and more people because the more people that follow you the more they shall spread the word about your leadership and how compassionate you are.

Let’s take the Prime Minister role, if you lead the public to believe your actions are not considerable of being worthy of becoming a Prime Minister, the public and media will discriminate you and feel hatred towards them because they betrayed the population via there inconsiderate behaviours of their Prime Minister, so they will not support what the Prime

Ministers decisions are because of their actions. The public will certainly have lost hope in their Prime Minister and how compassionate they feel towards their Prime Minster. However, leading the public with compassion and pleasant honours, the Public will listen and understand how their Prime Minister will be an enjoyable leader.

A leader should be compassionate about what they are leading others to believe because otherwise, no one will want to be led by their leader. Supporting others to their best abilities makes an incredible leader. That sums up the question that was mentioned at the start. Lead yourself to be compassionate to make a good impression on others! You shall then become a better person.

Dayzie Simpson – 448 words

Hi, I have no vision at all, including not being able to see light or dark, nothing and my condition is FND and i touched typed this.

Winners of 2021-2022 theme ‘We are all connected’

Thank you to all the entrants of this year’s Peace Poster and Peace Essay Competition.

Peace Poster Winner Martha Gilson

Martha said “peace to me is the understanding of everyone in harmony”

Martha Gibson (aged 12) sponsored by Ross on Wye Lions Club  – District CW

Peace Essay Winner George Dukas

The winner of the Peace Essay Competition is George Dukas (aged 13) sponsored by Hemel Hempstead Lions Club in District A

Whoever we are we share a connection with others. We were all born into a family whose branches have spread over the years, some more than others.  We connect with our thoughts and beliefs with other groups of individuals yet we are unique and no two people, even identical twins are exactly the same. Life gives us many experiences and challenges that affect our being and those around us. We move areas, we see things our families don’t and we react in different ways. As we age the world grows smaller by visiting places outside of our circle. We gain new and different skills which enhance the person we are. We learn some lessons and modify our actions yet sometimes we can’t accept the change All of this is dependant on communications that keep us connected. Speech is the most effective tool as a voice to share. Telephone, social media in its many modes, television and the internet mean connections can be instant and over long distances. The world has become smaller even with space flight. But it is the connection of people together, close and familiar that mean the most. Spoken work is good but a look, a smile, a touch that shows someone understands and cares about another can bring such calm and peace. Empathy with another, an act of kindness towards the needy, putting yourself in their shoes goes a long way to showing the world at its best. The feeling of belonging, of not being alone is the unsurpassed. If we look towards peace in the world, doesn’t all of this mean one thing. Whoever we are and whatever we are we are not alone, we are definitely connected in some way. A huge family of humans who are different but not and who have the ability to communicate with each other, to have empathy and to make their living a better ideal. Lets join together and succeed regardless of colour, religion or language and by or connections work thorough our differences.

The global winner of the Lions International Peace Essay 2019-2020 was Joseph Critchlow, sponsored by the City of Liverpool Lions Club

The Spring 2020 LION Magazine features Joseph Critchlow (page 25):

• Link to Flip magazine
• Link to PDF Download

Global winners

• Current and previous winners of the global Peace Essay contest: https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/peace-essay
• Current Peace Poster winners from around the world: https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/peace-poster-winners
• Grand Prize Peace Poster winners since 1988: https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/start-our-approach/youth/peace-poster/grand-prize-winners

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Goi Peace Foundation Annual Essay Contest for Young People 2024

• Deadline June 15, 2024
• Time Left 45 Days
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Call for essays for the 2024 Goi Peace Foundation Annual Essay Contest for Young People!

Goi Peace Foundation 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. This program is an activity within the framework of UNESCO’s Education for Sustainable Development: Towards achieving the SDGs (ESD for 2030).

Get the  Youth Opportunities iOS App here  for the fully-funded opportunities.

“My Experience of Overcoming Conflict” is the theme for this year’s International Essay Contest for Young People.

There are many different reasons why conflicts arise, including divergent viewpoints and moral principles. Have you ever been a part of a quarrel that you were able to resolve? What insights did that experience give you? In what ways do you hope to use the knowledge you have gained to both society and your personal life?

Youth Opportunities invites you to join your preferred channel to get the latest updates directly to your messenger inbox. 1. Youth Opportunities:  https://m.me/j/AbZTmgEzD1UchDte/ 2. Fully Funded Conferences:  https://m.me/j/AbZTfhFTiPCnXf2D/ 3. Full Scholarships:  https://m.me/j/AbbrjbkOMM6I68Cs/ 4. Paid Internships/Jobs:  https://m.me/j/AbaAskb6jFFnRser/ 5. Circle:  https://m.me/j/AbY0vVKSPJULUnE4/

Essays may be submitted by anyone up to 25 years old (as of June 15, 2024) in one of the following age categories:

• Children (ages up to 14)
• Youth (ages 15 – 25)

You can give your essay an original title. Essays may be in any style (thesis or prose, academic or literary), as long as the content is in line with the theme. Essays must be no more than 700 words in French or English, or 1600 characters in Japanese. A cover page is not required. Essays have to be typed, with the essay title, your email address, and your name at the top of the first page. Regarding formatting (font style, size, line space, etc.), there are no specific guidelines. Essays, however, have to be turned in in PDF or MS Word (DOC/DOCX) format. The word limit does not apply to your name, email address, or essay title.

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 the official website. Certificates and gifts will be mailed to the winners in January 2025.

Eligibilities

• You must be 25 years old or younger as of June 15, 2024, which is the entry deadline date. That means you must be born after June 15, 1998. On the other hand, there is no minimum age requirement.
• The contest is open to young minds across the world.

Application Process

• Visit the Registration Link by clicking on the “APPLY NOW” button.
• Go to either “Individual” or “School/Organization” Entrant Registration page.
• After entering all required information, click “SUBMIT” button at the bottom of the page to create an account.
• When your account is successfully created, you will be automatically logged in to “My Account”.
• For “INDIVIDUAL”: In “My Account”, click “Register Essay” on the side menu, attach your essay by selecting the file on your computer, and click “SUBMIT”. Only one entry per person is accepted. Once your entry is successfully submitted, you can download your certificate from the “Download Certificate”.
• For “SCHOOL/ORGANIZATION”: In “My Account”, click “Add/Delete Student” on the side menu, register one student per row, attach each essay by selecting the file on your computer, and click “SUBMIT.” Only one entry per person is accepted. Once your entry is successfully submitted, you can download your students’ certificates from the “Student List” and your certificate from the “Teacher‘s Certificate of Participation” on the side menu.
• If you leave “My Account” page, you can log in again with your email address and password from “Entrant login” on the top menu.

Please Note:

• You can only create one account with one email address.
• Essay file in either MS Word (DOC/DOCX) or PDF format.
• Your essay file size must be 2MB or less.
• Your essay must be typed, with your name, email address and essay title included at the top of the first page.

Application Deadline: June 15, 2024 (45 Days Remaining)

For Further Queries

Flagship Fellowship Fully Funded Program 2024 (Funding Available)

Internet Society Foundation Research Grant Program 2024

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024

Emirates is Recruiting 5,000 Cabin Crew in 2024

The Millennium Fellowship 2023

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National High School Essay Contest

You are here, in this section, applications have closed for the 2024 essay contest.

2024 Essay Contest Topic

This year, AFSA celebrates the 100th anniversary of the United States Foreign Service. Over the last century, our diplomats and development professionals have been involved in groundbreaking events in history – decisions on war and peace, supporting human rights and freedom, creating joint prosperity, reacting to natural disasters and pandemics and much more. As AFSA looks back on this century-long history, we invite you to join us in also looking ahead to the future. This year students are asked to explore how diplomats can continue to evolve their craft to meet the needs of an ever-changing world that brings fresh challenges and opportunities to the global community and America’s place in it.

Over the past 100 years the Foreign Service has faced a multitude of challenges such as world war, terrorism, nuclear proliferation, humanitarian disasters, global pandemics, and economic crises. In a 1,000-1,500-word essay please identify what you believe will be the biggest challenge to face the Foreign Service in the future. The essay will describe this challenge and clearly define how American diplomats can help mitigate it.

Successful essays will use past or current diplomatic efforts to support what you believe to be the best course of action to tackle this obstacle.

For more information on Essay Contest Rules and Guidance please visit this page . For additional resources and to view the 2024 Study Guide please visit this page .

AFSA Announces the Winner of the 2023 High School Essay Contest

The American Foreign Service Association’s national high school essay contest completed its twenty-third year with over 400 submissions from 44 states.

Three randomized rounds of judging produced this year’s winner, Justin Ahn, a junior from Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, Massachusetts. In his essay, “Mending Bridges: US-Vietnam Reconciliation from 1995 to Today,” Justin focuses on the successful reconciliation efforts by the Foreign Service in transforming US-Vietnam relations from post-war tension to close economic and strategic partnership.

Justin traveled to Washington in AUgust 2023, where he met with Secretary of State Antony Blinken. He also received a full tuition scholarship to an educational voyage with Semester at Sea.

Niccolo Duina was this year’s runner-up. He is a senior at Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas. Niccolo attended the international diplomacy program of the National Student Leadership Conference in summer 2023.

There were eight honorable mentions:

• Santiago Castro-Luna – Chevy Chase, Maryland
• Dante Chittenden – Grimes, Iowa
• Merle Hezel – Denver, Colorado
• Adarsh Khullar – Villa Hills, Kentucky
• Nicholas Nall – Little Rock, Arkansas
• Ashwin Telang – West Windsor, New Jersey
• Himani Yarlagadda – Northville, Michigan
• Sophia Zhang – San Jose, California

Congratulations! We thank all students and teachers who took the time to research and become globally engaged citizens who care about diplomacy, development, and peacebuilding.

If you are not graduating this year, please consider submitting another essay for next year’s contest. The new prompt will be published in fall 2023.

PRIVACY POLICY:

AFSA collects your information for this contest and for AFSA partners. You may be signed up to receive updates or information from AFSA and our partners. You will receive confirmation from AFSA that your submission has been received and a notification if you are the winner or an honorable mention in June . You may also receive a message from our sponsor regarding their program offerings.

PLEASE NOTE:

Students whose parents are not in the Foreign Service are eligible to participate if they are in grades nine through twelve in any of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territories, or if they are U.S. citizens attending high school overseas. Students may be attending a public, private, or parochial school. Entries from home-schooled students are also accepted. Previous first-place winners and immediate relatives of directors or staff of AFSA, NLSC and Semester at Sea are not eligible to participate. Previous honorable mention recipients are eligible to enter. $2,500 to the writer of the winning essay, in addition to an all-expense paid trip to the nation’s capital from anywhere in the U.S. for the winner and his or her parents, and an all-expense paid educational voyage courtesy of Semester at Sea.

The winner's school also receives a donation of 10 copies of AFSA's Inside a U.S. Embassy: Diplomacy at Work

The Fund for American Diplomacy is AFSA's 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports AFSA’s outreach goals. AFSA National High School Essay contest is AFSA’s main outreach initiative to high school students. We appreciate your willingness to contribute. Rest assured that your contribution will be put to good use. Donations to the FAD are fully tax deductible.

Contest Information

• Current & Past Winning Essays
• Rules and Guidelines
• Writer's Resources
• Writer's Checklist
• Description of the Foreign Service
• What Diplomats Do and Why It Matters
• Oral Histories and Country Readers
• Semester at Sea
• Educational Voyage Details
• National Student Leadership Conference

Healing Through Art & Storytelling

We're all storytellers and artists. art uniquely connects, surpassing the impact of many speeches. refugees and young voices authentically share their stories, a powerful testament in their own voices.

We utilizes the art of storytelling as a catalyst for change through productive discourse. SoaP's main activity is a yearly therapeutic essay contest that acts as a soul-mending safe space for sharing the - often traumatic - personal experiences of the East African youth and refugees.

Vision To bring hope, compassion, inspiration and purpose  in the lives of many refugees and young people. 

Our mission to promote the health and wellbeing of refugees through art and storytelling, while fostering unity among individuals from different parts of the east africa community by highlighting their shared experiences and aspirations, 2023 contest winners.

The Essay Topic: The Psychological toll of being a refugee

Out of a total of 124 entries from 15 different countries, these individuals demonstrated exceptional insight and dedication to the contest's theme. We believe their ideas and perspectives will contribute significantly to advancing the cause of good health and well-being, particularly for refugees and young people.

1st Prize winner $350

Epitome of Hope

Yar Malel Alam

South Sudan

2nd Prize winner $300

Fractured Bonds

3rd Prize winner $250

Cursed Is War

​ Tasneem Alhaj

4th Prize winner $200

Whispers of Destiny: Navigating Responsibility and Purpose Amidst the Shadows of 2008

Karuana Mwai

5th Prize winner $200

​ Through Adversity to the Stars.

Sudi Omar Noor  

6th Prize winner $150

Embracing My Reflection: A Journey of Healing and Self Love

Merveille Kasagandjo DRC

How I Can Help You

The 2023 soap essay contest judges, the jury for this year comprises individuals from different professions, all with close experience working with refugees. they bring a personal lens to the stories from across various entries.

Christine Naishorua

Professional Counseling Psychologist with over 5 years experience |Windle International Kenya

Perdita Olubonga

Windle International Kenya Alumni Co- Ordinator

Tanya Maringo

OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY (UK) Post-graduate.

Melissa Paldano

Project Manager at Moonshot Platform

Thank  You

Head Office: Argwings Kodhek Road, Nairobi, Kenya

+254745351588

[email protected]

California, Texas students earn top prize in national civics education essay contest

Molly Justice Director of Communications & Online Media (757) 259-1564

Williamsburg, Va. (May 1, 2024) – California and Texas students have won top honors in the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) 2024 Civics Education Essay Contest.

Over the past decade, NCSC has challenged youth to reflect on civics education and the U.S. Constitution.

This year, students from across the country reflected on the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor's influence on civics education for American youth and her perspective on the importance of civic engagement by all citizens. Students addressed two age-appropriate questions about citizen participation in their communities and government.

NCSC President Mary McQueen said recognizing the late Supreme Court justice this year was especially fitting given Justice O’Connor’s passion for civics education.

"Justice O’Connor was deeply committed to educating the younger generation about democracy and the fundamental democratic principles that form our society,” McQueen said. “She believed civic participation beyond voting is vital to our democracy, and she urged citizens to become involved in their schools, neighborhoods, and communities."

The contest attracted 800 students from 48 states and the District of Columbia. Essays were scored based on the student's understanding of the topic, creativity, grammar, spelling, and style. The nine winners will receive cash totaling $3,450.

The 2024 winners include:

High school (grades 9-12)

• First place - Daniella Cuevas, California
• Second place - Mattie Jane Carpenter, Georgia
• Third place - Jacob Hertz, California

Middle school (grades 6-8)

• First place - Sophia Ling, California
• Second place - Ashley Wagner, Massachusetts
• Third place - Anoushka Pandey, Maryland

Elementary school (grades 3-5)

• First place - Nicholas Jakimier, Texas
• Second place - Ana Cervantes, Kansas
• Third place - Faith Yono, Michigan

To read the winning essays, visit  ncsc.org/contest .