Goi Peace Foundation International Essay Contest 2024 (Prize Of USD 1,000+)

Introduction to Goi Peace Foundation International Essay Contest

The 2024 Goi Peace Foundation International Essay Contest is now accepting applications, inviting youth worldwide to participate. This annual contest, orchestrated by the Goi Peace Foundation, strives to channel the vigor, ingenuity, and proactive spirit of the global youth towards fostering a culture of peace and sustainable development. Moreover, it endeavors to ignite contemplation within society, urging individuals to glean insights from the perspectives of young minds and contemplate their potential contributions to the world.

Aligned with UNESCO’s Education for Sustainable Development initiative

Themed “Towards achieving the SDGs (ESD for 2030),” this contest invites entrants to reflect on the theme “My Experience of Overcoming Conflict.”

Conflicts, stemming from divergent opinions and values, are ubiquitous in human interactions. Participants are prompted to delve into their personal encounters with conflict resolution. Have they navigated through a conflict-laden situation? What were the key takeaways from that experience? How do they envision applying these lessons in their personal lives and contributing to societal well-being?

By encouraging introspection and storytelling, the contest aims to catalyze a profound understanding of conflict dynamics and the significance of peaceful resolutions. Entrants are impelled to ruminate on the transformative potential of conflict resolution not only for personal growth but also for fostering harmony and progress within communities.

Ultimately, the contest serves as a platform for amplifying youth voices, instilling a sense of agency, and cultivating a collective consciousness geared towards sustainable peace and development. Through the narratives shared and insights gleaned, it aspires to inspire tangible actions that contribute to a more harmonious and equitable world.

Requirements

Criteria for Essay Submission:

– Eligibility: Essays are open for submission to individuals up to 25 years old (as of June 15, 2024) within the following age categories:

a) Children (up to 14 years old)

b) Youth (15 – 25 years old)

– Length: Essays must not exceed 700 words in English or French, or 1600 characters in Japanese. They should be typed and include your name, email address, and essay title at the top of the first page.

– Format: Essays can be submitted in MS Word (DOC/DOCX) or PDF format. There are no strict formatting rules regarding font style, size, or line spacing.

– Submission by Educators: Teachers and youth directors can submit a compilation of essays from their class or group by setting up an ‘account for school/organization entrant’ on the online registration page.

– Originality: Essays must be original and unpublished. Entries containing plagiarized content or generated by AI will not be accepted.

– Individual Authorship: Essays must be written by a single author. Co-authored submissions will not be considered.

Awards:

In both the Children’s and Youth categories, the following awards will be presented:

– 1st Prize: Certificate, 100,000 Yen (approximately US$660 as of Feb. 2024), and a gift (1 entrant)

– 2nd Prize: Certificate, 50,000 Yen (approximately US$330 as of Feb. 2024), and a gift (3 entrants)

– 3rd Prize: Certificate and a gift (5 entrants)

– Honorable Mention: Certificate and a gift (25 entrants)

Additionally:

– First to third prize winners will be invited to the Winners Gathering, conducted online.

– Extra awards like the Best School Award and School Incentive Award may be granted as deemed appropriate.

– The announcement of all prize winners will take place on October 31, 2024 (Japan time) on the official website. Certificates and gifts will be dispatched to the winners in January 2025.

The Goi Peace Foundation

Under the auspices of

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan
Japanese National Commission for UNESCO, Japan Private High School Federation
Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education, Japan Broadcasting Corporation, Nikkei Inc