2013 International Schools Essay Competition and Debate (DL: 22
March 2013)
Who
is responsible … are we ready to take responsibility for the future of our
planet?
Global essay
competition invites schoolchildren to share their views on the rights and
responsibilities of different people worldwide in creating a sustainable
future.
At the recent United
Nations ‘Rio+20′ Earth Summit, national governments made little headway on
addressing the planet’s burgeoning ecological, social and economic problems. We
believe that young people can do better, so we’re inviting children to think
carefully about who around the world is responsible for doing what to help turn
the situation around.
We want to hear what
schoolchildren think different groups in society (such as governments, citizens,
educators, businesses, organised religions and the media) should be doing to
help solve our growing environmental, social and economic crises. Do
people’s rights and responsibilities differ around the world and if so, how?
The
competition and debate are aimed at primary students (ages 7-11)and secondary
students (ages 11-17) and their teachers, in both formal
and home schools.
First, Second and
Third Prizes will be awarded in both categories and one overall Grand Prize
Winner will receive a free trip to either the UK or the Seychelles to attend
the International Schools Debates, together with a parent and Teacher Champion.
All shortlisted primary and secondary schools will also be invited to
participate in the International Schools Debates in the UK (26-27 June 2013) or
the Seychelles (1-5 July 2013).
Essay
Competition
Students
are invited to write an essay in English, entitled ‘Who is responsible … are we
ready to take responsibility for the future of our planet?’. A distinguished
panel of judges, drawn from experts and educationalists in the field, will
select three winning entries for each age category. The winning students will
be awarded trophies at the International Schools Debates and their essays will
be published on the competition website. Essays will be judged for
comprehensiveness and clarity, innovative and creative thinking and the
potential to contribute to a broad-ranging and constructive international
debate (see scoring and judging criteria).
The essay length differs by age category as follows:
·
Primary
students (ages 7-11) – max. 400 words
·
Secondary
students (ages 11-17) - max. 600 words
For each category,
schools will be invited to submit up to 30 essays online. (Thesemust be
submitted by the Teacher Champion, using the login details provided at
registration. We regret that paper and emailed copies cannot be accepted.)
International
Schools Debates & Prize-giving
In 2013, there will be
two International Schools Debate & Prize-giving events – one in the
Northern Hemisphere and one in the Southern Hemisphere. Winning schools will
choose which event they wish to attend. The Northern Hemisphere debate will
take place at the Living Rainforest (UK) on 26-27 June 2013 and the Southern
Hemisphere debate will take place in the Seychelles on 1-5 July 2013. Each
primary or secondary school will be represented by a team of up to two
students, plus one Teacher Champion. Aside from the Grand Prize Winner and
accompanying Teacher Champion and parent, each participating school will need
to cover its own costs.
Key
Dates
25
September 2012 – School/teacher registration begins;
22
March 2013 – Closing date
for essay submissions (Teacher Champions login here);
3 May 2013 – Winners
notified and invited to Debates/Prize-giving;
26-27 June 2013
- Northern Hemisphere Schools Debate and Prize-giving, United Kingdom;
1-5 July 2013 - Southern
Hemisphere Schools Debate and Prize-giving, Seychelles;
Resources
for Schools
To assist teachers and
students in preparing for the competition and debate, key resources will be
made available on the competition website in the months leading up to the
submission deadline.
Enquiries
& Updates;
Email
queries should be directed to: schools[AT]livingrainforest.org
Source: livingrainforest.org
