Deadline: October 24, 2014
The International Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) invites entries worldwide for the Education in Emergencies Essay Contest 2014 in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the INEE Minimum Standards. INEE is organizing this essay contest to promote knowledge and increase awareness of education in emergencies, as well as to provide an opportunity for people around the world to share their thoughts and ideas about what education means to them in times of crisis. INEE is collaborating with War Child Holland and UNICEF on this project.
Essay Topics and Age Groups
Submit an essay responding to one of the two following questions:
1. What has education meant to me in an emergency? Has your education ever been affected by an emergency (a flood, earthquake, other disaster) or a conflict? Write a short story about your experience of education in an emergency.
2. Why is education in emergencies important? When an emergency happens, often children find they cannot go to school. An earthquake or flood might destroy their school, or a conflict might make it unsafe to go to school. Do you think it is important that children’s education should continue? If so, why? What might happen if education were not provided?
Prizes
The winning essays in each age group will be published on the INEE website in December 2014, and the winning authors (as well as their schools for the younger age groups) will be awarded an education-related prize.
Eligibility
Children, youth and adults are invited to submit their stories about what education means to them in emergencies and why education in emergencies is important.
Age group and Essay length
- 6-12 years – 150 words
- 13-17 years – 500 words
- 18+ years – 1,000 words
Judging Criteria
All essays will be reviewed anonymously by a panel of judges and scored based on;
- relevance to the theme or topic
- creativity and innovative thinking
- organization and cohesiveness.
Submission Guidelines
Guidelines for the essays include:
- Essays may be submitted in the following 5 languages: English, Arabic, Spanish, French and Portuguese
- Essays must be submitted by the given deadline
- Essays must not exceed the word limit
- All references in technical essays must be appropriately cited
Essays should be e-mailed to [email protected]*, and should include the following information:
- Author’s name
- Author’s age
- Author’s location
- Author’s gender
- Author’s school or organization affiliation
*If e-mail is not an option, please send your essay(s) to: INEE Essay Contest, c/o International Rescue Committee, 122 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10168, USA
For more information, visit INEE Education in Emergencies Essay Contest.