Challenge: Korea holding essay contest on aid and development

First prize is $2,000, deadline is October 7.

KARACHI: The Fourth High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness (HLF-4) will take place in Busan, Korea, from November 29 to December 1, said a press note from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Karachi.

This multi-stakeholder event will seek a new vision and strategies for more effective and inclusive development partnership to meet new development challenges and to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.

As a preparatory event for the HLF-4, the Government of the Republic of Korea would like to host the 2011 HLF-4 International Essay Contest in order to share young people’s inspiration on aid and development that have affected their own lives. Young people from around the world are invited to submit their innovative ideas on effective aid and development.

The theme is “Vision of Youth on Effective Aid & Development”. Essays may be submitted by anyone between the ages of 18 and 32 years (as of December 1, 2011). Essays must be 2,000 words or less and in English. Essays must have a cover page indicating the essay title, name, address, contact number, e-mail address, nationality, age as of December 1, 2011, gender, school name (if applicable) and word count.

Entries may be submitted online at [e-mail]. They must be original and unpublished. Essays must be written by one person. Co-authored essays will not be accepted.

Copyright of the essays entered will be assigned to the event organisers. The deadline is October 7.

The awards are: a certificate and prize of $2,000 for first place (1 entrant), $1,000 for second place for two entrants and $200 for third place for five entrants.

The first and second prize winners will be invited to the Youth Forum which will be held during the HLF-4 as one of its special events. (Travel expenses and accommodation will be covered by the Government of Korea). All prize winners will be announced in October on the HLF-4 website (www.busanhlf4.org). For inquiries: [e-mail]. press release

Published in The Express Tribune, August 22^nd,  2011.