ICU Global Youth Essay Competition 2024

Published by viktorija

Deadline: October 9, 2024
Open to: Youth aged 14-18 (as of October 9, 2024) residing outside of Japan. University/college students are ineligible.
Benefits: The top prize is two round-trip tickets to Tokyo or 100,000 yen, with additional prizes including a 50,000 yen gift card, copies of the “Illustrated Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” and a special prize for non-English educated participants.

Description:

The International Christian University (ICU) and Japan ICU Foundation invite young individuals worldwide to submit essays on human rights and current global issues. For 2024, participants are asked to reflect on peace-building or cultural inclusion, sharing their original ideas on these vital topics. The contest aims to foster global awareness and offer participants the opportunity to win prizes, including a trip to Japan.

Eligibility:

  • Open to youth aged 14-18 (as of October 9, 2024).
  • Applicants must reside outside Japan.
  • Essays must be written in English and have a maximum word limit of 650 words, excluding the title and bibliography.

Awards:

  • Top Prize (1 winner): Two round-trip tickets to Tokyo in the summer of 2025 for the winner and a guardian, including a visit to ICU. Alternatively, 100,000 yen may be chosen instead of the airline tickets.
  • Second Prize (1 winner): 50,000 yen gift card.
  • Third Prize (10 winners): A copy of the “Illustrated Universal Declaration of Human Rights in French, English, and Japanese,” translated by ICU students.
  • Special Prize (1 winner): Same as the third prize for those who have not been educated in English for more than 1 year.

How to apply:

  • Submit essays through the platform between August 9 and October 9, 2024.
  • Essays should address one of the two provided topics and must be the original work of the applicant, without the use of AI.
  • All essays must comply with ICU’s Policy on Academic Integrity.

For more information, please visit their official website.