Earn Loads in an Essay Competition

The Gulen Institute Youth Platform at the University of Houston is open for essay entries from students around the globe. You have to write on a given topic and relating to one of the below mentioned discussion questions. The program is aimed at helping youth define problems related to stable peace and social harmony, discuss them and offer possible solutions from their own perspectives.

Topic: Are Citizens of the World Succeeding in Lessening Global Poverty?

Questions that can be addressed in the Essay (Pick only one of the following questions)
• Discuss a novel innovative proposal to combat poverty. Elaborate how feasible is its implementation, how measurable its outcomes, and promise for replicability in any region.

• Discuss some innovative practices that have been particularly effective in reducing or eliminating poverty in some regions. Do they show any promise as a model for implementation elsewhere? Are they promising on a global scale?

• Some means to innovate projects for lessening poverty impinge upon cultural practices, rights of either men or women, and may be considered contrary to one’s dignity. Can these limitations be overlooked in the interests of the greater good? Why or why not?

• Both governmental and private funding has resulted in lessening poverty. Select an example of either to discuss the better approach, keeping in mind accountability and adaptability to any global setting.

• Consider an acknowledgedly successful innovation to lessen poverty in a particular region to explore to what extent it can be customized for another setting? For the entire international scene?

• Identify an example of an effective innovation to decrease poverty that utilized social means within a culture, without intrusions from NGOs or the UN. Why or why isn’t this example promising for all regions?

Awards:
Winners from 1st to 30th place will be awarded a sponsored excursion to Washington DC. They will be accompanied by one of their parents/guardians. The sponsorship covers airfare, accommodations, meals, and transportation for both the student and one accompanying parent/guardian. The winners will also receive a Certificate of Award from the Gulen Institute.

1st Place: USD2000+3-day Excursion
2nd Place: USD1500+3-day Excursion
3rd Place: USD1000+3-day Excursion
4th – 15th Place: USD300+3-day Excursion
16th – 30th Place: USD100+3-day Excursion

The winning students will get an opportunity to meet honorable U.S. Congress members, participate in discussions, visit local university and think-tank organizations, and enjoy tourist attractions in Washington, D.C.

Eligibility Criteria:
• Essays must be written in English; original unpublished, and written entirely by student; contain student’s original opinions and recommendations based on research.
• Essays must be at least 1,500 words in length but no more than 2,000.
• Entry must include a bibliography and comply with standards regarding citations and bibliography.
• Entrants must include the reason behind choosing the discussion topic. S/he must explain how it relates to her/his nation and contrast the nation’s policies with at least those of one other.
• Entrants are required to cite any relevant research in their responses.

Deadline: December 15, 2014
Visit Official Site: http://gulenyouthplatform.org/new/about/