Essay Theme: Towards a United, Peaceful and Sustainable Asia: The Need and the Way(s) Forward
Calendar
July 5, 2010 - Deadline for submissions
July 5 – 15, 2010 – 10 Finalist will be announced, Jury to decide the winners
August 19, 2010 - Award Ceremony at the Closing Session of the Asian Youth Assembly 2010
Background and Introduction:
The Asian region is home to 60% of the world’s human population, and is regarded as the cradle of civilization, with some of the earliest cultures on the planet originating here. The region stretches from the frigid Arctic to the sweltering equator; and straddles six times zones. Asia is home to the extremities of the planet, both human and natural. The diversity of the human population resident within this continent is unparalleled on Earth.
Today, the Asian region is faced with challenges of a scale never experienced before. Lasting peace remains elusive as armed conflicts based on religion, nationalism, ethnicity, land and natural resources occur ceaselessly across the continent. These conflicts lead to the killing of thousands and cause millions more to be captured in the tentacles of poverty and hunger. Illiteracy and a lack of quality education undermine the ability of people to gain meaningful employment and to achieve a good and satisfactory standard of living. Lack of access to basic services is causing immense suffering, especially amongst marginalized populations and poor people, while ineffective, disorganized and non participatory governance and political institutions are further impeding development. Environmental degradation is reaching epic proportions, with pollution and emissions of greenhouse gases constantly on the rise, deforestation occurring faster than ever before, and natural resources being plundered relentlessly. The Millennium Development Goals, global objectives of development to be achieved by the year 2015, seem to be much further away than their targeted year of achievement, particularly because of the lack of progress made by Asian countries in achieving sustainable development. A range of challenges are hindering the attainment of a high standard of living and human development in Asia, whilst also creating an ecological footprint that far exceeds the carrying capacity of the region
In this context, people from across the continent have recognized that cultural affinities, values and destines are intricately interlinked, as are regional challenges. They have recognized that it is important to rethink and evaluate the progress made so far, and to come together to influence the way forward, to overcome these challenges and to shape the destiny of the continent.
Young people today constitute a very large percentage of the population of the Asian region. Increasing economic prosperity and social mores are transforming the attitudes and lifestyles of youth. Consumerism and capitalism are converting youth into fast emerging key players in the overall emissions of greenhouse gases. Young people therefore have a very major responsibility on their hands, not just because of their voluminous contribution to climate change and unsustainable growth, but also because they are the ones that will face the repercussions of their actions when they experience the adverse impacts of climate change in the future.
This Essay competition seeks to get ideas, proposal and solutions that will work for Asia in the 21st Century and find ways to inspire other young people to be part of bringing ‘the Change’ they want to see locally, nationally and regionally.
Essay Theme: Towards a United, Peaceful and Sustainable Asia: The Need and the Way(s) Forward
Write an essay about the role of youth in shaping a united, peaceful and sustainable Asia. Today’s youth have the mindset and attitude of being the global citizens of the world and are very much inclined to Think G-local (Global-Local), Act G-local, with this inclination, try to address the following questions:
1. Identify and briefly present the challenges young people face as citizens (local, national, regional, global) and issues concerning G-Local Governance and provide solutions.
2. From a youth perspective, identify the underlying issues that prevent the full inclusion of youth in shaping the Regional (Asian) development agenda.
3. In your view, what can young people, working with their peers, community, local authorities and municipalities do to increase youth participation in reshaping Asia?
4. We encourage you to focus on some or all of] the five themes of the Asian Citizens Assembly 2010: i.e., Ethics, Equity, Education, Ecology, Economy (of Solidarity) and share your personal experiences and practical solutions.
Essay Guidelines:
1. The International Essay Competition is open to all young people, students and non-students alike, between the ages of 18 and 29, from all countries of the world. (For proof of age, all participants must submit the first page of their passport copy by email.)
2. Essays should be typewritten and be no more than 2,000 words.
3. Essays must have a cover page indicating, essay title; name of author, postal address, telephone number, e-mail address(s), nationality, sex and age as of August 18, 2010.
4. All essays must be submitted by e-mail in PDF or MS Word format, with the cover page and essay sent together as one document in
English to the essay competition mail
essay4asia2010@globalcitizens.org.in 5. Essays must be written by one person. Co-authored essays will be disqualified.
6. Essays must be original and unpublished
Awards: The following awards will be given respectively:
1st Prize: *Roundtrip economy ticket to attend the Asian Citizens Assembly 2010, Youth Assembly (18th – 19th August) and Asian Intergenerational Assembly (20th to 22nd August) in Bangalore, India
2nd Prize: *Roundtrip economy ticket to attend the Asian Citizens Assembly 2010 Youth Assembly (18th - 19th August) and Asian Intergenerational Assembly (20th – 22nd August) in Bangalore, India
(Note: * The Organizers will send the invitation letter for visa processing but it’s the winner’s responsibility to obtain his/her his visa on time for participation at the Assembly. )
3rd Prize: Digital Camera
