High School Essay Contest

ELIGIBILITY   
All high school students, enrolled in 9th through 12th grades, attending public or private schools from the United States and abroad.
 

TOPIC
The use of military means as a solution to today’s international and national political issues:Diplomacy or war, democracy or military coup?

ESSAY REQUIREMENTS
Essays must/must be:
•    Written in English
•    Original, unpublished, and written entirely by student
•    Contain student’s original opinions and recommendations based on research
•    At least 1,500 words in length but no more than 2,000 (Citations and bibliography are not included in the word count)
•    Typed, double-spaced with margins: left: 1.5″, right: 1″, top: 1″, bottom: 1″, page-numbered
•    Include a bibliography
•    Comply with standards regarding citations and bibliography

SUBMISSION OF ESSAYS: HOW AND WHEN?
All essays must be submitted online.

•    Go to the event website at www.guleninstitute.org/youthplatform
•    Scroll down and fill out the “Registration Form”

•    Click on “Browse” to upload your essay.
•    After uploading your essay, click on “Send” button.

Essays must be submitted as either Microsoft Word (.doc) file or Adobe Reader (.pdf) file.

Essay entries must be received by Monday, January 31st, 2011.
 

JUDGING CRITERIA
Essay submissions will be judged on:
•    Content
•    Grammar
•    Originality
•    Style and vocabulary

•    Written discussion advances the pieces in response to the topic
The decision of the judges is final as relating to all contest matters.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION
1st place                   :    4,000 USD + Trip to D.C.
2nd place                 :    2,500 USD + Trip to D.C.
3rd place                  :    1,000 USD + Trip to D.C.
4th – 20th place         :     300 USD  + Trip to D.C.
21st – 30th place        :     Trip to D.C.

All winners will receive a Certificate of Recognition.

Winners will be awarded in a ceremony that will take place in Washington, D.C. in March 2011:

During their 4-day trip to D.C., students will have the opportunity to meet U.S. Congress members, and visit think tank organizations and tourist attractions including museums.

Winning students’ airfare, accommodations, meals, and transportation will be sponsored.

HOW TO ADDRESS THE TOPIC
The use of military means as a solution to today’s international and national political issues: Diplomacy or war, democracy or military coup?

Good governance relies upon responsible civic participation, equality, and rule of law. It involves political leadership, bureaucracy, civil society, community leaders and others who play a role in or influence decision-making and the implementation of laws and policies within society. For those who hope to prevent military interventions that lead to the deaths of civilians and the destruction of their country’s political and economic foundation, what are the possible ways to reduce the risk of military interventions, such as military coups, to provide new generations a safer and more democratic world?

•    Choose a case-study topic from a country that has experienced a military intervention in its recent history.

•    What forms of military interventions happened and why? How did military interventions affect the population and civil institutions in the country?      

•    Based on your research provide recommendations for national leaders that would prevent conflict and enhance the democratization process in their countries

OBJECTIVES
The Gülen Institute encourages all high school students from the U.S. and abroad to participate in the Gülen Institute Youth Summit because it:

•    Helps young minds define problems related to stable peace and social harmony, discuss them, and offer possible solutions from their own perspectives

•    Contributes to achieving a positive impact on society by building social skills

•    Helps students improve research and writing skills that are so essential prior to college years.

•    Is a lifetime opportunity for students to exchange ideas with their peers both from national and global levels

CONTACT INFORMATION
Should you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us at:

The Gülen Institute
University of Houston –

Social Work Building Room #417

Houston, TX, 77004 U.S.A.
Tel.: +1 (713) 743 8135    Fax: +1 (713) 974 4445
[email protected] This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it