The Women’s Health and Action Research Centre (WHARC), a non-governmental, non-profit organization founded in 1993 seeks to create a world where all people are treated with equal respect and dignity and where women and young people have equality and access to basic reproductive information and services. WHARC is proud to announce its 2013 International Youth Day Essay Contest aimed at drawing the attention of Nigerian youth to its social change agenda for young people.

The International Youth Day was established by the UN in 1999, to raise awareness of the importance of youth participation and investing in youth. This year’s day has been scheduled for August 12, 2013.

In WHARC, we are concerned about how youth can be involved in national development and how their voices can be heard and respected by national leaders and policymakers. We are particularly concerned about the limited provisions made for youth development in our national frameworks. We are therefore prepared to seek collaborative partnership between governments and young people, so that governments can supply needed social services for youth, while at the same time, youth will be embodied to demand such essential services.

Thus, the topic of this year’s maiden annual youth essay contest being inaugurated by WHARC is: “What would you ask your Government to do to promote Youth Development?” This year’s topic seek to address the need for adequate policies on the growing population of Nigerian youth and also propose strategies to engage them like China and India have done. It also hopes to build the capacity of young people to begin to think of demanding essential social services through transparent, effective and accountable governance.

The International Youth Day Essay Contest is designed to challenge high school students, in and out of school adolescents between the ages of 10- 24 to creatively solve problems in the realm of public policy through the art of writing and to proffer solutions for problems affecting young people.

Entrants have the opportunity to win

1st Prize: Laptop
2nd Prize: Mini Laptop
3rd Prize: Nokia Phone

All essays of not more than 500 words should be written in English and submitted to youthcontest@wharc-online.org . For more guidelines on submission and formatting of entries, see below. All essays must be submitted by Saturday, July 20, 2013. No late submissions will be accepted. Winners will be announced on August 12, 2013 (International Youth Day) at an event being organized by WHARC.



Submission Guidelines / Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: How do I submit my entry?

A. E-mail your submission to youthcontest@wharc-online.org

First, like our facebook page on facebook.com/wharc and quote your facebook name in your entry

Q. How should I format my entry?

A. Essays should be written in English Language, with submissions of up to 500 words. Essays exceeding 500 words will not be considered. Please submit your entry as a Microsoft Word document.

Also be sure to include all essential information, including your name, address, phone number(s), facebook name (after liking our WHARC page) and e-mail address in the body of the e-mail.

Q. What will happen if I exceed the word limit?

A. Your essay will not be considered. There is no word minimum.

Q. Can I choose to remain anonymous?

A. No. We must be able to publish both your essay and name.

Q. How will winners be chosen?

A. 5 essays adjudged to be the best would be shortlisted and put on our facebook page for people to vote.

Q. How would people vote?

A. To vote, you will click the like button to choose the best essay. The essay with the highest number of likes out of the 5 essays shortlisted will be the winning essay. The other 2 with the highest likes will win the 2nd and 3rd prizes respectively.

Q. Is there anything else you can tell me about how to stand out from the crowd?

A. Yes. Here are a few suggestions for participants:

Stick to the subject and topic. Submitting your essay in the proper format is essential, but the content of your essay is the most important part. If you write a fantastic essay that doesn’t address the central topic you won’t win.

Submit a professional document. Check grammar and spelling and try to make sentences concise.

Follow and demonstrate a clear vision. This contest leaves lots of room to address the subject in a variety of ways. Students should attempt to be creative, clear and persuasive in their approach to the topic.

Q. Is there just one prize?

A. No. First, second and third prizes will be awarded.

Q. Can I submit an article that has been published before?

A. All submissions must be the author’s original work, and should not have been previously published anywhere

Q. Can I send in more than 1 entry?

A. No. Each entrant may make only one submission

Source: http://www.wharc-online.org/2013/06/25/announcing-the-2013-international-youth-day-essay-contest/

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International Youth Day: 5 Students Jostle for Big Prize with Essays (now on Facebook Live!)

An NGO in Benin City, Women's Health Action Research Centre (WHARC) has taken it up to celebrate the International Youth Day in a big way for the Nigerian Youth by receiving essays. View live on Facebook as Essays are voted by clicking "Like" on the page and the essay of ur choice and participate in the hot event. https://www.facebook.com/WHARC
Check out ESSAY 1, it is my favourite and guess what? It was written by a Nairalander!