The VALUES FOR LIFE International Essay Contest is now closed. To read the winners' essays, please click here.

VALUES FOR LIFE International Essay Contest

Presented by the Asia Pacific Leadership Program of the East-West Center in partnership with the Nisei Veterans Endowed Forum Series of the Colleges of Arts & Sciences, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa.

BACKGROUND
The Hōkūle'a, “star of gladness,” is a voyaging canoe that has rekindled a cultural renaissance throughout the Pacific. In January 2007, the Hōkūle'a set sail on a historic voyage from Hawai'i to Micronesia and Japan, utilizing traditional navigation techniques without scientific instruments. This voyage invites us to examine how universal values bind us together as “One Ocean, One People” in a peaceful, harmonious, and sustainable world.

ESSAY QUESTION
The writing prompt for the inaugural VALUES FOR LIFE International Essay Contest is:

What values are essential for a world characterized by peace and social justice? Provide examples that support your ideas.

For more information on the 2007 Hōkūle'a voyage, please visit: Polynesian Voyaging Society and the 2007 Voyage.

PARTICIPANTS
The VALUES FOR LIFE International Essay Contest is open to students world-wide (ages 14-18).

PRIZES
Finalists and winners will receive certificates of commendation. Finalists will be invited to attend the Pacific Educational Conference (PEC) from July 9-12, 2007 in Honolulu, Hawai'i. International winners will be announced and have the opportunity to present their essays in a student forum.

TIMELINE
April-May 2007: Students prepare essays.
May 25, 2007: Postmark deadline for hard copy submissions.
June 1, 2007: Deadline for electronic submissions.

PARTNERSHIP
Applicants to the VALUES FOR LIFE Hawaii Regional Essay Contest will be automatically entered into the International Essay Contest. Please do not reapply.

FURTHER CONTEST DETAILS

• Essays must be typewritten and a maximum of 3 pages, double-spaced, 12 point font.

• Essays should have a title that captures the essence of the student's essay.

• Essays must be submitted in English. If the original essay is written in a language other than English, both the original AND English copies should be submitted to maintain the integrity of the student’s work. Original essays must be the student's own work!

• Essays should not reveal the student's name or school.

• Essays must be submitted with a completed Submission Form. Student Submission Forms can be downloaded below.

• Essays should be submitted electronically with completed Student Submission Forms by June 1, 2007 to hokulea.outreach@gmail.com.

• If you are unable to submit essays electronically due to limited internet connectivity, you may send a hard copy of your essay to the following address with a postmark deadline of Friday, May 25th, 2007 (HST):
  
  

  VALUES FOR LIFE International Essay Contest
  Asia Pacific Leadership Program
  East-West Center
  1601 East-West Road
  Honolulu, Hawaii, 96848-1601
  USA

Click here for more information on the VALUES FOR LIFE International Essay Contest judging criteria.

Please check back periodically for updates on the VALUES FOR LIFE International Essay Contest.

If you have any additional questions, please contact Linda Furuto at lindafuruto@aplp.eastwestcenter.org.

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