Enterprise Solutions to Global Poverty Essay Contest 2011
The National Peace Corps Association and the SEVEN Fund are sponsoring a global competition inviting the submission of essays that describe innovative ideas for fighting poverty. The essay contest focus on generating small business enterprise solutions to fight poverty. The worldwide essay contest is tagged the “Enterprise Solutions to Global Poverty Essay Contest”. The competition kicks off April 15-July 31 to generate innovative ideas on small enterprise development to fight global poverty.
The winning author will get $5,000, be featured in WorldView magazine, and be a special guest at a distinguished panel in Washington, DC on September 24, 2011, during the four-day weekend of events for the 50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps.
Essay topic
“Solutions to poverty require innovative technology and communications, greater attention to women, increased job generation and the promotion of sustainable grassroots efforts. We invite authors to share their first person accounts of enterprise solutions to poverty and the topics above.”
The evaluation panel encourages essays that address this question through the lens of any cultural, religious, philosophical, and academic tradition. The question may be considered from personal, social, economic, political, or religious points of view.
Essay Prize
SEVEN and NPCA will award the grand-prize winner $5,000 and the chosen essay will be featured in WorldView magazine. The winner will also receive one ticket to attend the “Promise of the Peace Corps Gala” in Washington, DC on September 24.
Eligibility
The SEVEN Fund and NPCA essay contest is open to everyone. Authors from all fields, disciplines, and professions are welcomed to apply. Contributions are encouraged from nations and people around the world.
Essay Writing Guideline
Submissions will be evaluated by a panel of judges, in relation to the following criteria:
• an engaging hook or premise;
• a clearly defined agenda or thesis;
• emotional appeal;
• compelling data;
• well-crafted arguments;
• robust discussion; and
• a powerful close.
Length of essay
Submitted essays should be between 750-1200 words and must be written in English. Every essay must, in addition to the actual essay, add a 100 word abstract at the beginning of the document that includes:
Contact information: your full name and mailing address, a contact telephone number, and your email;
A brief, one-paragraph biography of each author, including your Peace Corps country and years of service (if applicable)
How to submit essay?
Your essay must be submitted electronically in an MS Word or PDF format only via email with subject header “SEVEN Fund Essay Contest submission”. All information requested, including contact information, abstract, and essay should be included in a single document.
The email address for submission is:
[email protected]
Submission Deadline
July 31 2011
Can I collaborate with another author?
You may decide to submit an essay together with another author, but the prize money is per essay, not per author. Prize money will be disbursed equally among multiple authors. SEVEN especially welcomes teams from different disciplines.
If you have additional questions
Please send any additional questions to [email protected].
Important Dates
Program Announcement: April 15, 2011
Deadline for Submissions: July 31, 2011
Selection of Finalists: September 2011
The Small Enterprise Panel: September 24, 2011
Announcement of the prize-winner will be made at the “Conversations: The Future of the Peace Corps Global Leaders” panel on September 24, 2011.
Read full essay requirements and conditions Click Here
About the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA)
Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Washington, DC, the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) is the nation’s leading 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization supporting Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and the Peace Corps community through networking and mentoring to help guide former Volunteers through their continued service back home. It is also the longest-standing advocate for an independent and robust Peace Corps and its values. To learn more, visit: www.peacecorpsconnect.org
Media contact:
Alison Beckwith
Phone: 301-699-0148
[email protected]