Win a Trip to UK/ Seychelles:
2013 Living Rainforest
International Schools
Essay Competition
Deadline: 22 March 2013
The Living Rainforest is pleased to announce that the theme of this year’s competition is: ‘Who is responsible … are we ready to take responsibility for the future of our planet?’ All shortlisted schools will be invited to attended an International Schools Debate and Prize-giving event in either the UK or the Seychelles.
2013 INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS ESSAY COMPETITION AND DEBATE:
At the recent United Nations ‘Rio+20′ Earth Summit, national governments made little headway on addressing the planet’s burgeoning ecological, social and economic problems.
We believe that young people can do better, so we’re inviting children to think carefully about who around the world is responsible for doing what to help turn the situation around.
We want to hear what schoolchildren think different groups in society (such as governments, citizens, educators, businesses, organised religions and the media) should be doing to help solve our growing environmental, social and economic crises. Do people’s rights and responsibilities differ around the world and if so, how?
The competition and debate are aimed at primary students (ages 7-11) and secondary students (ages 11-17) and their teachers, in both formal and home schools.
First, Second and Third Prizes will be awarded in both categories and one overall Grand Prize Winner will receive a free trip to either the UK or the Seychelles to attend the International Schools Debates, together with a parent and Teacher Champion. All shortlisted primary and secondary schools will also be invited to participate in the International Schools Debates in the UK (26-27 June 2013) or the Seychelles (early to mid July 2013).
ESSAY COMPETITION:
Students are invited to write an essay in English, entitled ‘Who is responsible … are we ready to take responsibility for the future of our planet?’. A distinguished panel of judges, drawn from experts and educationalists in the field, will select three winning entries for each age category. The winning students will be awarded trophies at the International Schools Debates and their essays will be published on the competition website. Essays will be judged for innovative and creative thinking and the potential to contribute to a broad-ranging and constructive debate (further details on the judging criteria will follow shortly). The essay length differs by age category as follows:
For each category, schools will be invited to submit up to 30 essays online. (These must be submitted by the Teacher Champion, using the login details provided at registration. We regret that paper and emailed copies cannot be accepted.)
- Primary students (ages 7-11) – max. 400 words
- Secondary students (ages 11-17) - max. 600 words
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS DEBATES AND PRIZE-GIVING: In 2013, there will be two International Schools Debate & Prize-giving events – one in the Northern Hemisphere and one in the Southern Hemisphere - in order to accommodate the growing interest in the competition. Winning schools will choose which event they wish to attend. The Northern Hemisphere debate will take place at the Living Rainforest (UK) on 26-27 June 2013 and the Southern Hemisphere debate will take place in the Seychelles during early to mid July 2013 (dates TBC). Each primary or secondary school will be represented by a team of up to two students, plus one Teacher Champion. Aside from the Grand Prize Winner and accompanying Teacher Champion and parent, each participating school will need to cover its own costs.
KEY DATES:
RESOURCES FOR SCHOOLS: To assist teachers and students in preparing for the competition and debate, key resources will be made available on the competition website in the months leading up to the submission deadline.
- 25 September 2012 – School/teacher registration begins
- 22 March 2013 – Closing date for essay submissions
- 3 May 2013 – Winners notified and invited to Debates/Prize-giving
- 26-27 June 2013 - Northern Hemisphere Schools Debate and Prize-giving, United Kingdom
- early to mid July 2013 (dates TBC) - Southern Hemisphere Schools Debate and Prize-giving, Seychelles
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For queries: schools@livingrainforest.org
For submissions: register here
Website: http://www.livingrainforest.org/