STAND UP Writing Contest

STAND UP
Web Editor Contest 2006
for Youth (18-24 years old)

Guidelines and Entry Form

STAND UP and be counted in the fight against poverty! Do you enjoy writing? Are you interested in organizing a campaign in your school or community to fight poverty? You may be eligible to become a web editor for the United Nations Cyberschoolbus MDG Youth Site, through a writing contest sponsored by the UN Cyberschoolbus and the Millennium Campaign. This competition is for youth aged 18-24. See eligibility requirements below.

Background

What is STAND UP Against Poverty?

Over 24 hours, from 10AM October 15th through 10AM October 16th (GMT), the United Nations Millennium Campaign and the Global Call to Action Against Poverty are asking people to physically STAND UP, around the world, and mobilize against poverty -- to remind governments of their promise to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). People all over the globe, from villagers in Pakistan to students in Latin America and office workers in New Zealand, will be part of this global movement. Guinness Book of World Records is partnering to make the STAND UP challenge an official World Record for the greatest number of people to stand up for a given cause. For more information, visit http://www.millenniumcampaign.org/standup

What are the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)?

At the United Nations Millennium Summit in 2000, 189 Heads of State and Governments pledged to work together to make a better world for all by 2015. On behalf of their people, they signed the Millennium Declaration which promises to free men, women and children from the dehumanizing conditions of extreme poverty and make the right to development a reality for everyone! Eight Millennium Development Goals were adopted, committing rich and poor countries to work together in a global partnership to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, ensure that all boys and girls complete primary school, promote gender equality, improve the health of mothers and children, reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS, and protect the environment -- all by 2015.

		Eligibility
		To enter into the Youth writing competition you must: 1) be between the ages of 18-24 years old; 2) be fluent in one of the six official UN languages (English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Arabic 3) not be currently working at a United Nations agency; 4) be available to write and/or edit 8 articles on the MDGs over the next year; 5) have frequent access to the internet; Anyone not meeting all these criteria will not be eligible.
		Topics
		To enter the contest you must write one essay and one personal story on the topics described below. Entries must be written in one of the six official languages of the UN: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, or Spanish. Articles not written in these languages will not be judged. 1. Why should people STAND UP on Oct 15/16? (800-1,500 words) Write an opinion piece on why young people should take part in the global Stand Up initiative. (Include answers to all four questions.) -- What makes Stand Up Important? -- Why should people Stand Up for the MDGs? -- Why is it important that World Leaders hear their citizens care about ending poverty? -- How could you motivate young people to take part in the stand up competition? 2. Write about a personal story about poverty. (800-1,000 words) For this topic, please choose one of the series of questions below: -- Have you experienced poverty at some level? What did it feel like? How has your life changed since? -- Interview someone who lives in poverty. Describe what it is like through someone their eyes. What are some of the daily challenges they face? Did the interview changes your views on poverty? If so, how? -- Have you traveled to a country that had extreme poverty? How did it make you feel? What did you want to do about it? What DID you do about it? -- How would you motivate young people in your community to raise their voice to demand their government do something about ending poverty? Visit these website to learn more about the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs): MDG Youth Site Young People's Stories Millennium Campaign MDG Fact Sheet United Nations MDG site
		Evaluation of Entries
		Entries will be judged on: • writing style • originality • how well you answered the questions listed under the topic you chose
		Prize
		One winning entry will be chosen from each of the following regions: 1) Latin America and the Caribbean, 2) Arab States, 3) North America, 4) Europe and CIS. Two winning entries will be chosen from each of the remaining regions: 1) Africa and 2) Asia and the Pacific. Winners will write and/or edit 8 articles on the Millennium Development Goals that will be published on the MDG Youth web site over a 12 month period (from October 2006-October 2007). All winners will receive $500 US dollars.
		Deadline
		Entries for the STAND UP Web Editor contest 2006 must be received by email no later than 8 October, 2006.
		How to submit your entry
		Please include the following items when you submit your entry: 1. Full Name, Home Address (in case we need to mail something to you), email address, and date of birth. 2. One essay between 800-1,500 words on why young people should take part in the global Stand Up initiative. 3. One personal story between 800-1,500 words on poverty. Please note that the essay and personal story you submit for this contest become the property of the UN Cyberschoolbus and cannot be returned. EMAIL your submission to: cyberschoolbus@un.org (Please put “STAND UP Web Editor Competition” in the subject header.)