Submissions are invited for ICU Global Youth Essay Competition 2023. The last date of submission is October 12, 2023.
About the Organizers
International Christian University is a non-denominational private university located in Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan. Commonly known as ICU, the university was founded in 1949.
The Japan ICU Foundation is an independent educational foundation based in New York City. Its mission is to work with International Christian University to nurture global citizens who contribute to the well-being of humanity. Visit Website.
Competition Details
International Christian University (ICU) and Japan ICU Foundation invite youths from around the world to share their views on how to make society better. Each year, essay topics are selected in the areas of human rights and current events. For 2023, the application is open from August 15 to October 12. Apply to win great prizes, including the top prize of two round-trip tickets to Japan!
Eligibility
Applicants must be aged 14-18 as of October 12, 2023 (inclusive) and must currently reside outside of Japan. University/college students as of October 12, 2023 are ineligible to apply.
Essay Questions
- Every student who enrolls in ICU signs a pledge to support and abide by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The four points of Article 23 of the Declaration focus on the right to work. Based on your own experience, which of the four points, outlined in Article 23, has the most significance for you?
- ICU’s academic curriculum emphasizes the need to understand both humanities and technology as we live in the era of artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of things (IoT). Over the past decade, we have witnessed significant technological advancements that have fundamentally transformed our way of life (i.e. mobile phones). However, technology can also have adverse effects, potentially disempowering or working against human interests. Have you ever encountered such an experience?
Language
Essays must be written in English.
Word Limit
No more than 650 words, excluding essay title and bibliography.
Participation Fee
Free.
Prizes
- Top Prize (1 winner): Two round-trip airline tickets to Tokyo in the summer of 2024 for the winner and a guarantor. A visit to ICU will be incorporated into the trip. In lieu of the airline tickets, the top prize winner has the option of receiving 100,000 yen.
- Second Prize (1 winner): 50,000 yen gift card.
- Third Prize (10 winners): A book translated by ICU students Illustrated Universal Declaration of Human Rights in French, English, and Japanese.
- Special Prize (1 winner) for those who have not been educated in English for more than 1 year: same as 3rd prize.
How to Submit?
Interested students can submit online via this link.
Submission Deadline
The last date of submission is October 12, 2023.
Contact
Email: ICU-Essay[at]icu[dot]ac[dot]jp
Click here to view the official notification for ICU Global Youth Essay Competition 2023.
