Essay competition for pupils

Essays should be between 1000 and 2500 words.

A $1000 first prize (almost R17000) is up for grabs in the Kemper Human Rights Education Foundation’s essay contest for high school pupils who are citizens of countries other than America.

This year, the contest’s 20th, pupils are asked to consider this question: “Confronted with the coronavirus pandemic, countries around the world are making policy changes that affect human rights. How well is your country meeting the goals of limiting the spread of the virus and preserving human rights?”

There is also a $500 (about R8500) second prize and other pupils may be eligible for honourable-mention awards, which in past competitions have amounted to $250 (more than R400).

Essays should be between 1000 and 2500 words and include a cover page with the title of the essay, the author’s name, the name and address of the high school, the name of a teacher or administrator at the high school, the author’s grade level, the date submitted, and the following statement signed by the author and author’s parent or guardian: “I give the Kemper Human Rights Education Foundation permission to publish this essay.”

Essays will be judged according to how clearly and well they answer the question posed and the extent to which they are supported by research. Pupils who wish to focus on a country other than their own in answering the question are welcome to do so.

Essays may be submitted as a Microsoft Word attachment to kemperhumanrights@gmail.com or by regular mail to KHREF, 184 Fillow Street, Norwalk, CT. 06850 by December 10, 2020 (Human Rights Day). Winners will be announced on January 14, 2021. Visit www.khref.org for more information.