World Bank International Essay Competition 2011 focuses on “Youth Migration” – Deadline for Submission – March 17th

Every year, the World Bank engages the minds of young people between the ages of 18 and 25 in a creative way through the International Essay Competition. Open to all young people, students and non-students alike, from all countries of the world, the essay contest showcases some of the most creative solutions to global issues across the globe. This year’s edition of the contest will be tackling the impact and implications of youth migration in a dynamic world. Read on for more details about the competition.

TOPIC: Youth Migration
Young people are on the move. Improvements in transportation, technology development and increased international trade, as well as issues such as unemployment, war, health and economic hardship have prompted more young people to migrate within and across national borders in search of work, education and a better quality of life. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) estimates that young people between 15 and 30 years of age account for about one-third of all migrants.

Nearly all young people are affected by migration in some way. Some are migrants themselves or are considering migrating abroad or within their home country. Others experience migration through the departure of friends or family members, and still others, in receiving countries, encounter the political debate on immigration and integration policies in their country and may experience cohabitation with new immigrants. Young people are major stakeholders in migration and yet youth are largely absent in the debate on international migration policies and the effects of migration on development.

The World Bank International Essay Competition 2011 would like to hear your views on the opportunities, challenges and implications of youth migration.

Questions to address in your essay / video :
1) How has migration (international or internal, in a sending or a receiving country) affected you, your family, your community, or your country?
2) How do you perceive the benefits of migration (increased opportunities for young people, remittances) versus the risks (brain drain, illegal immigration and exploitation of young immigrants)?
3) What actions can you recommend for broadening opportunities for young migrants in their countries of destination and their countries of origin?

We encourage you to draw on personal experiences when possible and focus on providing your own creative solutions for managing migration in a way that most benefits young people. You do not have to be a migrant yourself to respond on this essay, as you may refer to the experience of your friends and family or other migrants who enter, leave or move within your country. As migration is a multi-dimensional issue, please feel free to explore any aspect of migration that you relate to most, such as : rural to urban migration, international migration policy,
role of diasporas, forced migration, integration of immigrants, migration and development, remittances and skilled migration/brain drain.

Length and Format
General
*All work must be submitted by individuals, group work is not allowed.
*One participant may only submit one work per category. However, one participant may (but doesn’t have to, of course) submit work in both categories, that is: one essay and one video.
*All submissions must be made online via the Essay Competition website. Videos are submitted via YouTube.
*Submissions can be made in English, French or Spanish.

Essay
Your essay may not be longer than 4000 words (about 10 pages of standard text).
Essays are accepted in the following formats: .doc or .pdf.
You are also required to provide a summary of no more than 250 words. The summary will be used by the jury to make a pre-selection.
The submission process for the Essay Competition is entirely Internet-based. You are asked to fill in a submission form and attach your essay. Work submitted by email or post will not be accepted.

Video
Your video may not be longer than 2 minutes.
To submit a video, you must create a YouTube account and upload your work on the YouTube website. Additionally, you are required to submit a form via the Essay Competition website, which will allow us to identify your work. Click here for details of the submission process.