The United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), in collaboration with ELS Educational Services, Inc., (ELS) invites students, 18 years of age or older, who are enrolled in a full-time course of study at a college or university, to participate in an essay contest on the theme “Many Languages, One World”.
The essay should relate to ideas of global citizenship and understanding and to the role that multilingual ability can play in fostering these. Entries of up to 2000 words in length must be in an official language of the United Nations that is not the entrant’s first language or language of instruction in his or her primary or secondary education. The official languages of the United Nations are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
Eligibility
- Full-time college or university students, 18 years of age or older, can participate in the contest;
- An authorized faculty member or university administrator must sponsor your participation in the contest by completing the Reference Form. The university representative must attest that you are a full time student and that you are going to submit an essay in an official language of the United Nations that is not your first language or language of instruction in your primary or secondary education;
- Once the reference has been received and confirmed, you will be sent an email with further instructions about how to enter the contest and upload your essay.
Award
A panel of judges will decide upon a total of 70 Winners of the contest - 10 in each of the 6 official United Nations languages, and an additional 10 chosen on merit from the remaining entries in all languages. These Winners will be invited to New York to participate in a series of events during the week of July 20-26, 2015. These events will include a Global Youth Forum on the sustainable development agenda in the context of multilingualism, cultural diversity and global citizenship at United Nations Headquarters, preceded by a preparatory students' conference at Adelphi University sponsored and arranged by ELS Educational Services, Inc.
All winners will be given certificates of participation by ELS, signifying they have won the Student Essay Contest arranged in cooperation with the United Nations Academic Impact.
ELS will pay for the Winners' roundtrip economy class airfares in carriers of its choosing between the commercial airport nearest the Winner's home city and New York, and be responsible for their travel, room and meals for the duration of the conference. Sightseeing and recreation will be arranged by ELS.
It is your responsibility to obtain a passport and visa to enter the USA. You will be required to comply with the rules and regulations of participation in the event. Your e- ticket will only be issued to you after we receive copies of your passport and a signed copy of your acceptance of the terms and conditions of participation.
Deadline: March 25, 2015 at 11:59pm EST
Open to: full-time college or university students
Award: winners participate in a 7 day International Youth Forum in New York and present their work at the United Nations Headquarters
Visit official site: http://www.els.edu/en/ManyLanguagesOneWorld
