Contests

My annual letter comes out on January 25. I hope it spurs a conversation about the key issues affecting the poorest people in the world.

Countries throughout the world are seeking to improve the health of their citizens and make quality health care accessible and affordable. Despite their differences, nations are facing a surprisingly similar set of health care challenges, such as fragmented health care ecosystems, high costs, inconsistent quality of care, inefficient systems, and barriers to access and capacity needs.

The International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) invites all to submit entries for the inaugural International Day to End Impunity 2011 poster contest with the purpose of drawing world’s att

The U. S. Department of State sponsors the "Doors to Diplomacy" educational challenge - to encourage middle school and high school students around the world to produce web projects that teach others about the importance of international affairs and diplomacy. Each student team member of the winning "Doors to Diplomacy" Award team receives a $2,000 scholarship, and the winning coaches' schools each receive a $500 cash award. Additional prizes may be provided by sponsors.

The Fourth High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness (HLF-4) will take place in Busan, Korea, from 29 November to 1 December 2011. The HLF-4 presents a unique opportunity for achieving better aid and development through more effective, harmonized cooperation among governments, civil societies and the private sector. This multi-stakeholder event will seek a new vision and  strategies for a more effective and inclusive development partnership to meet new development challenges and to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.

  The National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) and SEVEN invite writers to submit essays exploring first person experiences with small enterprise development solutions to poverty in the developing world. Former and present Peace Corps volunteers are strongly encouraged to apply. Essays should highlight personal grassroots efforts and successes that can serve as models for creating prosperity around the world. We welcome and encourage papers that approach this topic through the lens of diverse cultural, religious, philosophical, technical, and academic traditions, as our goal is to assemble a collection of essays that is definitive both in breadth and de

1001 Stories of Common Ground is announcing its first ever “Positive Change in Action” Competition!

The International Press Institute (IPI) is a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists. IPI is dedicated to the furtherance and safeguarding of press freedom, the protection of freedom of opinion and expression, the promotion of the free flow of news and information, and the improvement of the practices of journalism. IPI invites breakthrough ideas that have the potential to create sustainable impact and that meet the following general criteria - digital, including mobile, open-source technology created by journalists or for journalists and distributed in the public interest, for the News Innovation Contest. The contest is aimed at advancing the future of news by funding new ways to digitally inform communities in Europe, Middle East and Africa. Via these grants, IPI is supporting projects from not-for-profit and for-profit organisations that revolve around online news that advances press freedom, the development of more sustainable business models and the training of journalists. Awards totalling much as US$ 2.7 million will be given away this year.   Applications should fit into one of three categories: News Platforms - Advancement in Digital News Platforms; Sustainability - Advancement of Business Models; Training - Advancement in Trainings & Journalism Excellence. To enter, complete the application form by selecting the category you wish to apply for, including a  description of your project idea, time-frame and budget estimate or a detailed description of your existing online site, a description on its users and a link to the site. No applications are accepted by mail, e-mail, fax or any other means. If IPI believes your idea or site meets the criteria, it will ask you to write a full proposal. You will be notified via e-mail. For more about the International Press Institute, refer to www.freemedia.at.

The “world youth message to the United Nations Secretary-General”project is an initiative of two youth-led development activists. The project is initiated in the context of the UN International Year of Youth: Dialogue and Mutual Understanding. Its aim is to give young people around the world the opportunity to share their ideas on world challenges. The topic of the dialogue is: If you had the opportunity to speak to the United Nations Secretary-General, what would you say? The initiative is open to young people between the ages of 15 and 24. Message may be submitted in English or in French and must be under 200 words. Participants must indicate their: 1) full name; 2) age; and 3) nationality. The deadline for submissions is 31 May 2011.For more information, please visit: https://ourmessage.wordpress.com/essay-contest/

Each year, InterAction’s photography contest focuses on the incredible humanitarian and development work done in the field. We encourage you to submit your most provocative photos that illustrate innovative, effective and inspiring efforts in international relief and development. All images should be of work in the field, outside the United States.   DEADLINE: May 1, 2011 Prizes
 One Grand Prize Winner* will receive round-trip airfare to Washington, D.C. (flights originating in the U.S. only), where they will receive their award at InterAction’s 2011 Forum, August 10-12, 2011.

The Grand Prize Winner’s photograph will run as the cover of the special Forum recap issue of Monday Developments Magazine. The winner will also receive a complimentary one-year subscription to Monday Developments Magazine and one free half-page advertisement.

Five Outstanding Winners* will receive a complimentary one-year subscription to Monday Developments Magazine, as well as a quarter-page advertisement. All winning photographs will be displayed throughout the special Forum recap issue of Monday Developments Magazine, in addition to an online gallery on www.mondaydevelopments.org.   How to Enter Visit www.interaction.org/photo and upload up to 3 entries

 *Please note that prizes will be awarded to the winning image's photographer, not an organization or any other party that may own rights to the image or for whom the image was taken.

PLURAL+ is calling for entries for its annual youth video festival! This years theme is "Migration, diversity, and social inclusion." If you are between the ages of 9 and 25, create a 1-5 minute long video discussing one or more of these issues and you could win $1,000, a trip to New York City and a chance at a ton of other prizes! Videos are due July 1st, check out http://www.unaoc.org/pluralplus/ for more information!

Deadline: Friday, April 1, 2011 The World of Children is an organisation that is dedicated in improving children's lives by identifying and recognising extraordinary individuals who work on behalf of children in need. The organisation is also committed through their awards programme to search the United States and the rest of the world for these selfless change makers. Their awards and funds expand and leverage their vital work, thus creating a unique, worldwide network of child advocates. Through three distinct awards, the World of Children seeks to honour and bring acclaim to outstanding children's advocates and the work they do, as well as to raise public awareness about the issues affecting the world's children. Humanitarian Award The Humanitarian Award recognises an individual who has made a significant lifetime contribution to children in the areas of social services, education, or humanitarian services. The nominee must have created, managed, or otherwise supported a sustainable programme which has significantly contributed to children's opportunities to be safe, to learn, and to grow; The nominee must do this work over and above their normal employment; The nominee must have been doing this (or related work) for a minimum of 10 years; The nominee must have an existing nonprofit organisation in good standing, which can receive grant funds if awarded. Health Award The Health Award recognises an individual who has made a significant lifetime contribution to children in the fields of health, medicine, or the sciences. The nominee must have created, managed, or otherwise supported a sustainable programme which has significantly contributed to the improved health of children; The nominee must do this work over and above their normal employment; The nominee must have been doing this (or related work) for a minimum of 10 years; The nominee must have an existing non-profit organisation in good standing, which can receive grant funds if awarded. Founder's Award for Youth (Two Awards) The Founder's Award recognises youth that are making extraordinary contributions to the lives of other children. The nominee must be under the age of 21; The nominee must be associated with an existing nonprofit organisation in good standing that can receive grant funds if awarded. Cash awards range from US$25 000 for the Youth award to US$50 000 for the other awards. For more info see: http://www.worldofchildren.org/index.php/awards

Editorial cartoons are wonderful in that they masterfully bring the news to life while injecting some humor into the world of international geopolitics. Good cartoons are hard to dream up, so our info-tainment future is dependent on developing those talents early. An effort to that comes from the NewsCurrents Student Editorial Cartoon Contest, which is open to students at all grade levels between kindergarten and 12th grade (split up into three groups: K-6, 7-9 and 10-12). As the website jokes, “Students may submit as many cartoons as they wish, but students with time to submit more than ten might want to consider getting a life.” Winners are given time-deferred cash prizes in the form of U.S. Savings Bonds and while the group won’t say how much those bonds are worth, they’ll have trouble matching the laughs that these hilarious images create. Award: Unspecified Deadline: March 7, 2011 Apply Here

Gender equality can’t be expected to happen automatically in a society that has long rewarded men more than women for comparable achievements, and the Girls Going Places Entrepreneurship Award Program aims to nurture young women who show initiative in their schools and communities. Open to girls between 12 and 18 years old, the contest, sponsored by the Guardian Life Insurance Company, grants $10,000 to the first-prize winner, with $5,000 going to second place, $3,000 for third, and $1,000 for each of the 12 finalists. Award: $10,000 Deadline: Feb. 28, 2011 Apply Here

Despite the troubles in the news business brought on by the shifting fortunes of print and online journalism, some organizations (MainStreet included) believe in the power of information and its value in a democratic society. Too often the powers that be try to distort the news, and the Courage in Student Journalism Awards honors those who persist in their efforts to spread the truth. The $1,000 award, sponsored by a consortium of groups supporting free speech, is given every year to a middle school (although titled the High School Award, it is available to students in middle schools as well) journalist who has “shown determination, despite difficulty or resistance, in lawfully exercising his or her First Amendment press rights.” Award: $1,000 Deadline: Aug. 1, 2011 Apply Here

In Our Own Words: Miracles Unexpected generosity from a stranger. A revelation that changed your world. A moment of suspended disbelief. A windfall. An opening. A miracle. We are back with a new call for entries for our popular My Story department, this time on the topic of “Miracles.” We see evidence of miracles, big and small, on PulseWire every day. We invite you to submit your own personal story about “Miracles”—however you interpret this—for a chance to be published in our upcoming print magazine, themed Spirit. Selected entries will be featured in My Story, the section of World Pulse Magazine where women around the world share their personal stories describing pivotal experiences in their lives, in their own words.   Everyone who participates will self-publish their story on our social networking website, PulseWire, and 6-8 stories will be chosen for publication in the Summer/Fall 2011 edition of World Pulse Magazine. The top three stories, in addition to being published, will receive a $100 honorarium and everyone whose stories are chosen for publication will receive a copy of the magazine. My Story Guidelines Topic: Miracles. We encourage creative interpretations of this general theme, but the piece must be non-fiction. We look for unique, honest, personal, and creative entries that showcase the true-life stories of women and their allies in their own words. Speak your truth and let your story be told! Length: 400 words, maximum. Dates: Submit your story between now and February 22, 2011. All stories must be submitted by 11:59pm, PST on February 22, 2011. Please use the time and date converter tool here to find out when this is in your local time. Entries selected for publication may be edited for length and clarity. Only one story per person will be evaluated. We look forward to reading your story about Miracles. Thank you for joining us and sharing your voice with the world! See here for more information!

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has launched the Young people’s video competition on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. Young people around the world are invited to submit a short video describing their vision of “Progress." The competition is open to young people (18-25 years) in every country worldwide. The Prize An all expenses paid trip to Paris, France Screening of the winning films at an international forum. An opportunity to meet government, civil society and media from around the world. Three winners will be invited to the OECD Forum in May 2011, with travel cost, hotel accommodation and daily allowance provided for five days. The closing date for submissions is 1 March 2011. For more information, visit this link.

Nominations can now be submitted for the 2011 CNN Heroes, which recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary accomplishments in their areas of work and have inspired others. The program recognizes such individuals through a grant support to scale up their work and also awards them at a ceremony which is broadcasted on CNN, giving them massive international publicity. Following are the suggestions given by CNN to help make the nominations of such persons: “Think about what makes your hero special. Take a look at our nomination form. We suggest you review the information requested about yourself, your nominee and their work before filling out your submission. Tell us about your hero! Take your time and write from the heart. Remember: What you share — in your own words — is the most important factor in advancing a nomination for further consideration. Nominations must be in the name of a single individual, at least 13 years of age, whose accomplishment occurred (or continued) after November 25, 2010. Nominees in the “Young Wonder” category must be 25 years of age or younger. Groups and organizations are ineligible for consideration. Self-nominations will not be accepted. Nominations are to be submitted online. The deadline to submit nominations is 1 September 2011. For more information, visit this link.

Each year the World Affairs Council hosts the World Citizen Essay Contest for Washington state students in grades 3-12. Looking back over the last 60 years, please identify a Puget Sound-based innovation that has left its mark around the world. Explain why and how this innovation had an impact beyond the United States. (This impact can be related to the arts, sports, music, popular culture, technology, civic action, global health, education, manufacturing, etc.) Essay Length: 1,000 words or less, typed and double-spaced Deadline for Essay Submission: March 28, 2011 Eligibility: Washington state students in grades 3-12 Awards: First through third place awards will be granted in each of the following categories: grades 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Winners will be recognized at a celebratory Spring event. First prize:      $200 Second prize:  $100 Third prize:      $50 See here for more information!

Rising Voices is accepting project proposals from NGOs or individuals under its latest round of micro-grant funding for digital media outreach projects around the world. Rising Voices will award funding to selected organizations or individuals with a funding of up to US $4,000.Ideal applicants will present innovative and detailed proposals to teach citizen media techniques to underrepresented communities that are poorly positioned to discover and take advantage of tools like blogging, video-blogging, or podcasting on their own. The application deadline is February 4th, 2011.

The Do Something Awards is looking for exceptional young social entrepreneurs, activists, and community leaders who have a significant social impact. The Do Something Award nominees and winners are the pivotal "do-ers" in their fields and causes. For this year's awards five nominees will be selected and rewarded with a $10,000 community grant, participation in the second Do Something Awards TV show on VH1, media coverage, and continued support from DoSomething.org. Of those five nominees, one will be selected to win the Grand Prize, a $100,000 grant, which will be announced during the live broadcast. Applicants must be age 25 and under, citizens or residents of the U.S. or Canada, and must apply by March 1st, 2011, although applying earlier is strongly encouraged. Nominate anyone you think would be good fit at http://www.dosomething.org/awards/nominate-2011

The Communication Initiative (The CI) and the BBC World Service Trust (WST) invite entries for their first contest for blogging on development policy, soliciting persuasive critiques and encouraging discussion on development policy issues. CI Network members from around the world (as well as those who wish to become CI Network members) are requested to submit their opinion pieces to the collaborative blog at Communication, Media, and Development Policy. The contest will run from January 7th through February 28th 2011. See http://comminit.com/en/node/328581 for more details.

www.usun.state.gov/youth