optimist international essay contest 2024

GATEway Optimists

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Essay Contest 2024

2023-2024 Optimist International Essay Contest

Topic: “ optimism: how it connects us ”, district essay chair:     dot sayer                                                   email: [email protected]                                                   cell: 770-823-2923.

The Essay Contest is sponsored by Optimist International   to give young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live. The approach can encompass a young person’s personal experience, the experience of their country or a more historical perspective. In additional to developing skills for written expression, participants also have the opportunity to win a college scholarship!

This contest is open to students under the age of 19 as of October 1, 2023  and who have not yet completed secondary school or its equivalent. There is no minimum age. Essays must be typewritten and double-spaced and contain not less than 700 and no more than 800 words. Works of fiction or poetry are not eligible.

Zone winners advance to the District contest to compete for a $2,500 college scholarship. The District level scholarships are funded by the Optimist International Foundation.

For more information, visit  www.optimist.org/e/member/scholarships3.cfm

Contest deadlines:  .

Club to Zone: must be received by Lt. Governor by Jan. 31, 2024

Zone to District: must be received by Dot Sayer by Feb. 29, 2024

District to OI: must be received at OI by April 15, 2024

Items in Your Club Entry Packet:

• Optimist International Essay Contest Application for 2023-2024 – Must be signed by contestant and parent or guardian
• District Essay Contest Entry Form – Must be signed by contestant, Club Essay Chair and Club President.
• Legible Copy of Birth Certificate or Passport
• Typed Copy of Essay
• A Check for $35 Made Payable to Gateway District Optimist International

Optimist International Resources:

To download rules and application form,  click here, for the essay contest program package,  click here  , to download the club planning guide,  click here, essay contest general information and forms can be found at  essay contest page at optimist.org, club certificate of participation can be found at:  https://www.optimist.org/forms/essay_certificate_club_color.pdf  .

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Optimist International Essay Contest

The Essay Contest is sponsored by Optimist International to give young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live. The approach can encompass a young person’s personal experience, the experience of their country or a more historical perspective. In additional to developing skills for written expression, participants also have the opportunity to win a college scholarship!

The Topic for the 2023-2024 school year is: “Optimism: How it connects us”

Who can enter:   youth under the age of 19 as of october 1, 2023 (and is not enrolled as a degree seeking student of a post-secondary institution) in the united states, canada or the caribbean. there is no minimum age..

How To Enter:  Interested students must contact their local Optimist Club. They need to submit an essay on the pre-assigned topic. 

Clubs and Districts

2024 Essay Contest

The Optimist Club of Radcliff is encouraging area students to contemplate the phrase “Optimism: How It Connects Us” as part of the Optimist International Essay Contest for the 2023-2024 school year. All essays are due by February 13. Essays can be dropped off our bi-weekly meeting from 6:30 to 7:30 at Colvin Community Center.

The Optimist Club will judge the local students’ essays, based on the theme of “Optimism: How It Connects Us” and determine the top winners. Winners will receive an award and the winning essay will be sent to the district level where college scholarships are available for top winners.

“Young students today have so many fresh ideas about the world and their future,” Club Vice-President Stacy Huddle said. “As Optimists, it is our goal to encourage them and do what we can to bring out the best in each of them. This gives them a wonderful opportunity to tap into their creativity and pursue possible scholarships at the same time.”

Who: The contest is open to contestants under the age of 19 as of October 1st of the current Optimist International contest year (October 1 – September 30) and who have not yet completed secondary school or its equivalent. There is no minimum age.

Club winners advance to the District contest to compete for a $2,500 college scholarship. The District-level scholarships are funded by the Optimist International Foundations.

Students wishing to participate in the essay contest can find out more about the contest by contacting Amber Galland at 931-266-1402 or Teresa Price at 270-319-7026.

You can download the form here .

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Optimist International Essay Contest 2024 – (CLOSED)

Important Instructions:

On the application list sponsoring Club as: Optimist Club of St. Louis

Club Number: 30390

Deadline to enter: Feb 5th, 2024 (CLOSED)

If application is approved participant will be invited to the Optimist Club Scholarship Event where each participant present their essay and receive their essay prizes.

Topic for the 2023-2024 school year is: “Optimism: How It Connects Us” Prize: 1st $500 – 2nd $300 – 3rd $200 Deadline: February 5, 2024

Who: The contest is open to contestants under the age of 19 as of October 1st of the current Optimist International contest year (October 1 – September 30) and who have not yet completed secondary school

The Essay Contest is sponsored by Optimist International to give young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live.

Club winners advance to the District contest to compete for a $2,500 college scholarship. The District-level scholarships are funded by the Optimist International Foundations.

2024 Essay Contest

• This event has passed.

Friday, March 1 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Win Scholarships for Writing!

The Essay Contest is sponsored by Optimist International to give young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live. The approach can encompass a young person’s personal experience, the experience of their country or a more historical perspective. In addition to developing skills for written expression, participants also have the opportunity to win a college scholarship!

The 2024 Essay Contest Topic is:  Optimism: How It Connects Us

HOW TO APPLY Interested students should prepare a 700-800 word essay (Title, footnotes and bibliography are not included in the final word count). Hyphenated words count as one (1) word. Students need to submit an application prior to the event.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Youth under the age of 19 as of October 1, 2023 (and is not enrolled as a degree-seeking student of a post-secondary institution)

CLUB COMPETITION Essays are due on Monday, February 12, 2024, at 6:00 pm and should be emailed to [email protected]

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT: Mike Russell – [email protected] or Annie Jurczyk – [email protected]

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Essay Contest

• Oratorical Contest
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• Clarkston High School
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Our local Club member judges read every submitted essay and award winners for first, second and third place. These local awards are $250, $150 and $100 respectively, funded by the Clarkston Area Optimist Club. These top-three winners will be asked to attend a Clarkston Area Optimist Club meeting, held locally here in Clarkston in February, to read their essay to the Club members and to receive their award.

Local Club winners advance to the district contest to compete for a $2,500 college scholarship. The district-level scholarships are funded by the Optimist International Foundation.

The Essay Contest is sponsored by Optimist International to give young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live. The approach can encompass a young person's personal experience, the experience of their country or a more historical perspective. In additional to developing skills for written expression, participants also have the opportunity to win a college scholarship!  - Optimist International

2024 Essay Contest Winners: 

1st Place - Lia F.         2nd Place - Elly R.        3rd Place - Adah C.

Topic for the 2024-2025 school year is: TBD

Who is Eligible: Local Clarkston area students (public and private) under the age of 19 as of October 1, 2024 (and not enrolled as a degree seeking student of a post-secondary institution). There is no minimum age.

How-To-Enter: Interested students must submit an essay, on the assigned topic to the Clarkston Area Optimist Club no later than: TBD

Deadline: The deadline for submitting an essay, on the assigned topic is: TBD

When: Our local Club-level contest is held in mid-February of each year. The exact date for 2025 is: TBD

Completed essays and supportive documentation:

email to: [email protected]

or mail them to: Clarkston Area Optimist Club, PO Box 891, Clarkston, MI 48347

Optimist International Essay Contest

This Essay contest gives young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live. The approach can encompass a young person’s personal experience, the experience of their country or a more historical perspective. In additional to developing skills for written expression and critical thinking, participants also have the opportunity to win a college scholarship! 

Winners will receive monetary awards funded equally by BB&T Bank and the Forsyth-Cumming Optimist Club.  The funds will be deposited in a savings or checking account opened in the winner’s name at BB&T Bank.

• 1 st place winner will receive $300 and will advance to the Northeast Georgia Zone event
• 2 nd place winner will receive $200
• 3 rd place winner will receive $100

The Zone winner will advance to the State/District level. The District winner will receive a one-time $2,500 college scholarship.

Eligibility

Students must be under the age of 19 as of October 1, 2021.

Students must be educated in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean. There is no minimum age.

How to Enter

Interested students may submit a completed application and essay on the assigned topic to their school or mail to:

Forsyth-Cumming Optimist Club, Essay Entry PO Box 111 Cumming GA 30028.

Essays may NOT be submitted to more than one Optimist Club.

Application

Please see the Essay Contest application for complete rules.

Deadline for entry TBD.

The topic for the 2021-2022 School Year is: “How Does an Optimistic Mindset Change My Tomorrow?”

Length :  700-800 words (Title page, footnotes and bibliography are not included in the final word count).  Hyphenated words count as one (1) word.

Each entry must begin with a Title page containing:

• the official topic
• number of words
• the writer’s name
• phone number
• name of school
• date of birth

Essays must be typewritten and double-spaced.

Essays will be judged and the winners will be announced in TBD. Winners will be invited to the club’s breakfast meeting TBD.

2020-2021 Essay Contest Winners

1st PLACE: SAMIKSHA GAHERWAR, Lambert High School  Read essay

2nd PLACE: SHIRIN DEEPAK, Denmark High School  Read essay

3rd PLACE: ADITI BANG, South Forsyth High School  Read essay

For more information please contact us .

The "Manhattan Optimist Club Bulletin": Vol. 2024 #44: 7-31-24

Posted July 31, 2024

                        VOLUME 2024          JULY 31, 2024         NUMBER 44

On July 31, 2024, the morning meeting of the Manhattan Optimist club was called to order by president, Bill Wisdom with the pledge of allegiance. 

A technology glitch prevented us from hearing the reflection from OI president, Tracy Huxley.

LINK TO TRACY HUXLEY'S REFLECTION

The 106th Optimist International Convention was held in Niagara Falls, Canada.  Greg has been a member of our club for over five years.  He said that the international convention was a real eye opener for him – getting to experience Optimism at a different level.  Greg thanked the club for sponsoring him to attend the convention: he hopes the experience will be useful for his presidency. 

The Canadian side of Niagara Falls is very beautiful.  He had a view of the falls from his hotel room, which he discovered was not the case with many other convention attendees.  There were fireworks every night at 10 PM and they had a great view of the fireworks as well.  Lyle Merriam was Greg’s “convention buddy” – buddies are assigned to members who were attending their first convention.  Lyle, who is from Regina, SK, was the chairman of the whole convention.  They met before the convention via zoom and Lyle took Greg “under his wing”. 

At the Marketing session, Greg learned that social media presence is vital, and that video is king: 20% of people will read a text, but 80% will watch a video.  It is also important that websites be optimized to be viewed on a cellphone.  A great way to engage the community online is to follow other clubs on social media and share their posts and ask them to reciprocate.

At the Grants session, Greg learned about some grant opportunities.  There is a grant for new club projects: the club must match the grant.  The application deadline is March 21, 2024, and grants range from $250-1000.  There is also a grant for Child Health and Wellness projects: the club must match this grant, as well.  The application deadline is Aug 23, 2024, and the grants range from $250-1000.  Our essay contest for the Interpersonal Skills (IPS) class may be eligible for this grant.

Greg described other benefits provided by Optimist International, including the pass through program, liability insurance (which does not cover coaches, etc. who are not members of the club), and dues reimbursement, up to $100 (through Grouper).

Greg enjoyed hearing about other clubs’ fundraisers including pickleball tournaments, avenue of flags, bingo, and March Madness.  He also learned about what youth events other clubs sponsor, including a kite festival, haunted trail, bike rodeo, and angel tree (Christmas gift for underprivileged children).

Approximately 700 people attended the OI convention in 2024.  Next year, the Optimist International convention will be in St. Louis, MO.   

No guests were present.

Jim Franke announced that the workday at Optimist Park that was scheduled for Monday Aug 5 has been postponed to Tuesday, Aug 6. 

SAVE THE DATES:  Just Try It, Saturday, August 10th from 7:30 to 12:30; September 8, Fall Social at the Park; September 28, football parking for the OSU game; October 19, Aggieville Chili Crawl.

Adjourned with the Optimist Creed

NEXT WEEK'S MEETING:

AUGUST 7: MORNING MEETING:  Renee Langvardt, Owner/Operator, REX Theatre, Clay Center:  Topic: “REX Theatre Renovation – Children’s Programs”

AUGUST MEETINGS

AUGUST 14: NOON MEETING:  Lauren Farwell, President, Board of Directors, Wonder Workshop: Topic: “Wonder Workshop Services to Community Youth”

AUGUST 21: MORNING MEETING:  Blade Mages, Owner – Middle (formerly 502 Media): Topic: “Wareham Hall Project”

AUGUST 28: NOON MEETING:  Kendra Kuhlman, Director – Manhattan Arts Center: Topic: “Master Plan for Manhattan Arts Center”

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

News Archive

Club meetings every Wednesday.

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2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the Month Lunch: 11:30AM Program: 12:00PM

All Other Wednesdays Coffee and Socializing: 6:00AM Breakfast: 6:30AM Program: 7:00AM

Latah County Human Rights Task Force

Strengthening the bonds of community to embrace diversity and reject bigotry..

2024 Art and Essay Contest Winners

2023-2024 Martin Luther King Jr. Art & Essay Contest –

Latah County Human Rights Task Force Theme: FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND OUR LIBRARIES        

ART WINNERS

Grades 1-3 Art Topic: Draw a picture about a book that has taught you something important.

Cordelia Haley – Megan Cueller’s 2 nd grade class- Lena Whitmore.     

            After listening to her teacher read books about Martin Luther King, Jr., Cordelia drew a picture of two people, one holding up a sign that says “Justice,” the other holding up a sign that says, “We Want Jobs.”                                                                                         

Cece Rose Ristene – Peggy Quesnell’s [K’nell] 2 nd grade class – St. Mary’s.                                          Cece read a book about a dog who helps other animals. It taught her that being a friend is fun and that being nice is important.

Eduarda Gurge – Jessica Jones’ 3 rd grade art class – Moscow Charter.                          Eduarda drew “The Great Kapak Tree” with animals in its branches and a rainbow on top. Eduarda learned about the rain forest.

Grades 4-5 Art Topic: Create a drawing or poster celebrating an aspect of the library that you value most.

Quinten Rowley – Jessica Jones’ 4 th grade art class – Moscow Charter.                        Quinten drew a boy enjoying the Latah County Library because it offers “So Many Choices!”

Haylee Cohee – Jessica Jones’ 5 th grade art class – Moscow Charter.                                        Hayley drew “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” and shelves of books. She included quotes like “When in doubt, go to the library” by J.K. Rowling and “The library is a wilderness of books” by Henry David Thoreau.

EXCERPTS FROM WINNING ESSAYS

Grades 1-3: Essay Topic: Write a paragraph about a book from your school or public library that taught you something important .

Cordelia Haley – Megan Cuellar’s 2 nd grade class – Lena Whitmore “What I learned from books about Martin Luther King. Stand up for what you believe no matter what. Don’t fight with fists, fight with words. No matter what time it is, there’s always work to do!”

Leo Johnson – Sophia Curet’s 3 rd grade class -St. Mary’s Elementary “In the story “Being Frank” by Donna Earnhardt I learned that you should always tell the truth but say it nicely. In this story Frank says the truth but he says it in an unkind way. His grandpa shows him how to tell the truth in a nice way. I really enjoyed this book because it’s a really fun story and it teaches you a good lesson.”

Grades 4-5 Essay Topic: Write a three paragraph thank-you letter to your school or public library discussing an aspect of the library that you value most .

Fern Newlan – Shannon Nierman’s 4 th grade class – St Mary’s

“People who have libraries sometimes overlook the information they provide…. Here are a few things that libraries provide: books, computers and most importantly knowledge. I’m going to thank the people who write the books.” Among others, she thanks author Barbra O’Conner who “relates to the real world. She shows us that not everything is perfect, but you might find you were supposed to be here all along.”

Catherine Apt – Wes Bascom’s 4 th grade class – McDonald Elementary

“At a young age, Storytime encouraged my interest in reading and helped develop my creativity. It allowed me to be more open minded about different ideas and pushed me to be a creative thinker.” “I have discovered new books by browsing, which has allowed me to find some of my new favorite books. Thank you for having such a fun variety of materials and activities for me to experience throughout my childhood.”

Amy Zhou – Kathryn Bonzo’s 4 th grade class – Moscow Charter School

“Libraries want humans and our civilization to have openness for all to be educated and also give us freedom to read, write, and listen which is essential to our democracy.” “The thing I value most about the library is the huge selection of books. I love reading and the library has books for me to read. Thank you for being a generous provider.

Naya Lee – Jordyn Rauer’s 5 th grade class – Lena Whitmore

“My favorite subject is reading, so our school library is very important to me. I love that all students have a wide selection of books to choose from, so that they can all find something that they love.” “I am so glad to have our librarian, Mrs. Marone and her library so that all the kids in our school can have free and easy access to wonderful books.”

Emily Scout Heward – Kate Roll’s 5 th grade class– Lena Whitmore

“I’m little but I’m old enough to know that our library is AWESOME, BEAUTFUL, WONDERFUL, CREATIVE, CALMING and so much more. If we don’t have libraries, we might not have books! When I’m 80 I want to be able to visit our library and show many more generations this wonderful creation.”

FACT TIME! Did you know that the library of congress is the largest library in the world! They have 167 million items on 838 miles of bookshelves!!”

Grades 6-8 Essay Topic: Write a five-paragraph essay explaining why freedom of expression is important to your library and to our democracy.

Nora Algarni – Tiffany Scripter’s 7 th grade English class – Moscow Middle School

“If a student reads a book, they might get an opinion on something that could change the future. A book could change a whole generation, and it could change the whole world. So, limiting students from the access of information is not the best option. Let teenagers explore the libraries and have their opinion and thoughts… This is why freedom of expression should be important everywhere because everyone should express themselves and share their opinions with the world.”

Lillian Camin – Tiffany Scripter’s 7 th grade English class – Moscow Middle School –

“Freedom of expression can be very important to both school and public libraries as well. According to the American Library Association Library Bill of Rights, all library resources have to be provided and given to establish interests, and to give enlightenment and information to everyone.” “ I believe that freedom of expression is important for democracies. I think this because of the sharing of ideas and open opinions that help democracies run. One of these reasons is that we have to gain opinions to make decisions and we have to make decisions if we want to govern ourselves.”

Grades 9-12 Essay Topic: Research the current debate over the freedom of expression in school and public libraries. Write a report on this debate, then draw your own conclusions.

Morgan Apt – Rachel Lyons’ Junior Advanced Placement class – Moscow High School –” I believe that the removal of books and censorship in public libraries is drastic and unnecessary. Allowing children to have access to information that is not age appropriate is not ideal. However, violating people’s rights to access material containing any type of perspective or idea is too extreme a measure to prevent children from exposure to harmful information. Additionally, the government could use the removal of inappropriate books to their advantage, disposing not only of books that could be damaging to children, but books that don’t align with certain personal or political beliefs. …. Freedom of expression is heavily valued in a democracy, and literature is a prime example of where differing perspectives and viewpoints are shared…. as allowed under the First Amendment. “

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Latest News & Announcements

Fourth circuit announces winners of 2024 essay contest.

Has the decision in Brown , viewed through the lens of 2024, achieved its purpose of ensuring equal opportunity in public education?

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is pleased to announce the winners of its 2024 Essay Contest. The contest, which ran from February 20, 2024, to May 31, 2024, was open to current students in grades 9-12 in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

High School

First Place--$2,000 Award:  Kennedy Grams, a rising senior, Pikesville High School, Baltimore, Maryland.  Read the First Place Essay

Second Place--$1,500 Award: Elaine Deng, a rising senior, HCS Scholars Academy, Conway, South Carolina. Read the Second Place Essay

Third Place--$1,000 Award: Asher Ermentrout, a rising sophomore, Grimsley High School, Greensboro, North Carolina. Read the Third Place Essay

Middle School

First Place--$500 Award:  Makayla Macklin, a rising freshman, Union Day School, Weddington, North Carolina Read the First Place Essay

Second Place--$350 Award: Isabelle Yam, a rising 7th grader, The Langley School, McLean, Virginia. Read the Second Place Essay

Third Place--$200 Award: Aydin Soner, a rising 7th grader, homeschooled, Columbia, South Carolina.  Read the Third Place Essay

Students were invited to consider and share their thoughts on the question: " Has the decision in  Brown , viewed through the lens of 2024, achieved its purpose of ensuring equal opportunity in public education? " The court received excellent essays from students in all five states.

Awards will be presented at the Constitution Day program scheduled for  September 26, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at the Lewis F. Powell, Jr. U.S. Courthouse in Richmond, Virginia.

The court extends its appreciation to its distinguished panels of judges for their work in reviewing the essays and selecting the top three submissions:

• Janice Baker, Legal Writing Instructor; Director, Konduros Leadership Development Program, University of South Carolina School of  Law, Columbia, South Carolina.
• Richard B. Katskee, Assistant Clinical Professor of Law, Director, Appellate Litigation Clinic, Duke University School of Law, Durham, North Carolina.
• Amy Cyphert , Lecturer in Law, Director, ASPIRE, West Virginia University College of Law, Morgantown, West Virginia.
• Karen M. Hinkley, Partner, Litigation and Appeals, Davis Hartman Wright LLP, New Bern, North Carolina.
• Steven J. Alagna , Lecturer in Law, Interim Director of the Appellate Clinic, Washington University School of Law, St. Louis, Missouri.
• Mary Claire Davis, Associate Professor, West Virginia University College of Law, Morgantown, West Virginia.
• Wesley Hedgepeth, Teacher, Richmond, Virginia.
• Ganelle Sutton, Teacher, Author, Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

For more information about the contest, visit Courts4Civics .

• Sun. Aug 11th, 2024

North Florida District - Optimist International

Bringing out the Best in Youth, Our Communities & Ourselves!

Optimist International Essay Contest

By Daniel Rich

Topic for the 2024-2025 school year is:  “How Optimism Has Paved My Road to Success”

Who:  The contest is open to contestants under the age of 19 as of October 1st of the current Optimist International contest year (October 1 – September 30) and who have not yet completed secondary school or its equivalent, including CEGEP students in Québec, Canada. There is no minimum age. Students must enter in the District in which they reside. U.S. students attending school on military installations outside the U.S. are eligible to enter in their last home of record. How To Enter:  Interested students must contact their local Optimist Club. They need to submit an essay on the pre-assigned topic. To find out a contact, please e-mail the Programs Department at  [email protected] . The Essay Contest planning pages are intended for use by Optimist Clubs in organizing and conducting a contest in their Club. They contain no information on entering the contest and are of no use to students wishing to enter the contest. Students must contact their local Optimist Club. When:

• Students – All Club-level contests are held by early February. Student submissions will not be accepted after the Club-level contests have closed. Please contact your District Chair for more information.
• Clubs – The deadline for Clubs to submit their winning essay to the District Chair is February 28, 2025. The deadline for Districts to submit their winner’s information to Optimist International is April 15, 2025. Club winners advance to the District contest to compete for a $2,500 college scholarship. The District-level scholarships are funded by the Optimist International Foundations.

The Essay Contest is sponsored by Optimist International to give young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live. The approach can encompass a young person’s personal experience, the experience of their country or a more historical perspective. In additional to developing skills for written expression, participants also have the opportunity to win a college scholarship!

Club winners advance to the District contest to compete for a $2,500 college scholarship. The District-level scholarships are funded by the Optimist International Foundations.

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Optimist International Oratorical Contest

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• Apply Online

The International Moscow Music Online-Competition is an opportunity to demonstrate your talent and dedication to music, and receive a Diploma of the international competition in electronic form. Recordings are judged by leading musicians, experts from many different countries. Grand Prix 1000 $.

Special money prizes. We invite you to participate!

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Honored Artist of the Russian Federation

Moscow Government Prize “For a Successfully Implemented Project” (arrangements of works by Piazzolla recorded by “Moscow Virtuosi”)

Soloist of the State Chamber Orchestra “Moscow Virtuosi”

Associate Professor of Moscow State Conservatory

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Winner of Kiel international piano competition (Sweden)

Grand Prix of Kiev International piano competition (Ukraine)

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Vocal teacher

Special prize of the Schneider-Trnavsky competition (Slovakia)

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Associate Professor of Institute of Culture and Arts of Moscow City University

Director-general of “Maestoso” Int. Co., Ltd.

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Assistant Professor of Academic Music College at the Moscow State Conservatory

1st prize winner (as part of a quintet) of International Henri Tomazy Competition (France)

Winner of 1st Rimsky-Korsakov International competition (Russia)

Director of “Poco a Poco Piano Lessons” Music School, Osaka

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CICA Announces Winners of International Essay Contest

By Staff Report in Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia , International on 8 August 2024

ASTANA — Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) announced winners of the essay competition held under the theme “The Future of Asia We Want: Ideas for the CICA Region.” Five works were selected out of 31 essays from eight countries.

Photo credit: CICA press service

According to the CICA press service, “The CICA Secretariat extends its congratulations to the winners and heartfelt thanks to all participants for their valuable contributions to shaping the future of Asia.” 

The competition jury was comprised of academic and governmental experts from the CICA Secretariat and member states with experience in international security, multilateral cooperation, and regional development in Asia, including representatives from Bahrain, Bangladesh, China, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, and the Kyrgyz Republic to ensure a fair and balanced evaluation of the submitted works. 

The first prize was awarded to Mohammed Ahmed Ali Maki from Bahrain, while the second prize went to Rubiat Saimum from Bangladesh. Aisulu Almash from Kazakhstan secured the third prize. In fourth place was Tamirlan Kenzhebayev, also from Kazakhstan, followed by Papichaya Leenapaesanan from Thailand in fifth place.

Contestants tackled a wide array of themes, including environmental sustainability, economic development, cultural heritage, youth empowerment, technological innovation, and international diplomacy. The diverse perspectives and innovative ideas will help inform future discussions within the CICA Youth Council, helping steer the organization toward a brighter future.

“The top works stood out for their depth of research, innovative ideas, and relevance to CICA’s mission. They presented holistic visions for Asia’s future, addressing key challenges and proposing concrete recommendations aligned with CICA’s principles,” the statement reads.

The winners will receive certificates and have the opportunity for a short-term internship at the CICA Secretariat.

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Open Letters: Our Opinion-Writing Contest

We invite students to write public-facing letters to people or groups about issues that matter to them. Contest dates: March 12 to April 16, 2025.

By The Learning Network

What’s bothering you? Who could do something about it? What could you say to them that would persuade them to care, or to make change?

And … what if we all read your letter? How could you make us care too?

These are some of the questions we’re asking you to ponder for our Open Letter Contest. An open letter is a published letter of protest or appeal usually addressed to an individual, group or institution but intended for the general public. Think of the many “Dear Taylor Swift” open letters you can find online and on social media: Sure, they’re addressed to Ms. Swift, but they’re really a way for the writer to share opinions and feelings on feminism, or ticket sales, or the music industry, or … the list goes on.

As you might already know if you’ve read Martin Luther King’s famous Letter From Birmingham Jail , an open letter is a literary device. Though it seems on the surface to be intended for just one individual or group, and therefore usually reads like a personal letter (and can make readers feel they are somehow “listening in” on private thoughts), it is really a persuasive essay addressed to the public. This letter signed by over 1,000 tech leaders about the dangers of A.I. , this funny 2020 letter addressed to Harry and Meghan , and this video letter from young Asian Americans to their families about Black Lives Matter are all examples of the tradition.

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“In Moscow I live like a king”: why Russian exiles return

Two friends fled putin’s mobilisation. what made one go back.

By Camilla Bell-Davies

S ergey and Nikolai became friends after they met through Moscow’s tech scene, nearly a decade ago. They were in their early 20s and life was about coding, earning money and having fun. Although they didn’t like Vladimir Putin , politics was something they could afford to ignore.

But when Putin’s forces invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Sergey’s and Nikolai’s carefree lifestyle came to an end. That summer the Ukrainian army embarked on a successful counter-offensive , taking back territory that the Russian army had seized in the spring. When Putin announced that 300,000 reservists would be called up, many Russians took this as a sign that all men of fighting age might soon be mobilised. Sergey and Nikolai joined hordes of other men racing to the border to avoid having to go to war.

The friends left behind their homes, but not their well-paid jobs. Both worked for private Russian tech companies that let their staff work anywhere and offered generous relocation packages, so fearful were they of losing employees to Putin’s war machine. Nikolai was joined by his girlfriend, Anya, who also worked in tech.

Assuming they would be digital nomads until at least the end of the war, they studied a list of places that let Russians stay without a visa. After stints in various countries, including Georgia, the friends decided to move to Belgrade, Serbia – one of the most popular destinations for Russians fleeing the draft. Sergey found the Serbs more welcoming than the Georgians, many of whom saw the war in Ukraine as history repeating itself: in 2008 Russia invaded Georgia and still occupies a fifth of its territory.

By contrast, many Serbs are pro-Russian and despise NATO for bombing the country 25 years ago during the Kosovo war. A poll by the Open Society Foundations found that roughly two-thirds of them blamed the West for the war in Ukraine. Although the Serbian government condemned the Russian invasion, it has refused to join international sanctions against the Kremlin.

Sergey loved Belgrade and immersed himself in the lively expat social scene. Many Russian artists and musicians have moved to the city, and Sergey likes going to gigs at venues opened by expats. But Nikolai and Anya were hesitant about staying. They missed Russia and were sick of living out of a suitcase. Moreover, Nikolai’s initial panic about mobilisation had subsided. He noticed that middle-class men who worked in tech weren’t being conscripted en masse, and that most conscripts seemed to be a few years younger than him. By this point, there was also plenty of advice available online on how to escape the draft (avoid all contact with the state, for instance, and move away from your registered address).

Last autumn the couple returned to Moscow. “We loved every country we lived in,” said Nikolai in April, when Sergey and I spoke to him over a video call from Sergey’s flat in Belgrade. “But who should stop me from enjoying my own home?”

I f it’s hard to say how many people have left Russia since the war began – up to 1.3m in 2022, according to the British Ministry of Defence – it’s even harder to say how many have returned. Last summer Putin said that half the émigrés had returned, a claim we should treat with extreme scepticism.

When the couple got back to Moscow, Nikolai’s employer offered him a better-paid job. He and Anya bought a flat, helped by a government-subsidised mortgage. In 2020, to boost the housing market during the pandemic, the Russian government launched a scheme to give buyers of new-build apartments lower mortgage rates. Despite the central bank hiking interest rates to 16% in an attempt to curb inflation, buyers could obtain mortgage rates of just 8% until as recently as July. There are separate schemes to subsidise the mortgages of IT workers and young families.

As a result, said Nikolai, Moscow’s property market is hot: “There were queues for viewings and flats got snapped up fast.” The couple have started their own small business: they rent apartments, spruce them up, then sublet them to other young professionals. They hope to start a family soon, said Nikolai, who praised government handouts for new mothers and Russia’s “good maternity clinics”.

So far, he has not felt inconvenienced by sanctions. “If you have money you can still buy any Western goods.” (Russia has found ways to evade sanctions, for instance by importing European goods via Central Asian countries and Turkey.)

Moscow is thriving, said Nikolai, “even more than before [the war]. Bars are packed even on Monday evenings, all the tables are occupied.” He has money to burn – most Russians pay just 13% income tax, with high earners paying 15% (although these rates are now set to rise slightly). “Stable countries are expensive. In Moscow I live like a king.” He and Anya go to nice restaurants and get frequent takeaways. He often buys new clothes and gadgets online: products are delivered to his door in 20 minutes by Yandex, a Russian tech company. He gets taxis everywhere – it’s only $2 for a 20-minute ride, he said.

After Nikolai hung up, Sergey paced around his flat in Belgrade, agitated. “Imagine someone murders someone in front of you and you just walk away saying ‘it’s not my business,’” he said. “It’s like that. They block out reality. All they do is just buy shit: new flat, new car, new clothes. Just grabbing all these nice temptations the government gives them, they’re basically funding a war they say they want to end. They don’t understand that they’re living in a cage that is getting smaller and smaller each day.”

He paused for breath. “You know, in some ways I’m jealous of them. They’re earning pots of money, while I’m paying loads of tax here [in Serbia]. What’s the point in having principles? Shall I go live in Russia again, block my ears like this [he pushed his fingers in ears] and sing lalalala ?”

L ife in Moscow isn’t completely stress-free. Wherever Nikolai goes he sees Z symbols and posters imploring people to join the army. But he told me he wasn’t worried because IT workers were exempt from military service. (In fact it appears that only employees of IT firms with government contracts are exempt. Private firms such as Yandex offer legal advice to employees trying to escape the draft.)

Sergey thought his friend’s optimism was misplaced. “If Putin wants 600,000 new troops he will get them,” he said. “Local military headquarters will grab anyone if they are desperate to fill quotas.” A friend from Belgrade who returned to Russia for two weeks to see his family told Sergey he took taxis everywhere to avoid being press-ganged in the street.

I asked Nikolai if he was scared of political repression in Russia. “More people are arrested in the West for posting anti-environmental or anti- LGBTQ + views,” he said. “Maybe I’m wrong,” he added, correctly. “But that’s what I heard.” Nikolai would never express political opinions in public. “Know the rules,” he said.

On the whole, Nikolai seemed optimistic about Russia’s future. “I believe Russia is a European country and this border with Europe is unnatural. Russia’s problem is this gerontocracy. Change the dictator and us young people will build a better society. But we also need a strong leader because we are a big country and it’s the only way we can be strong.”

Sergey, who has travelled to more parts of Russia than Nikolai, disagreed: “Russia is too big and ethnically diverse, and needs to be broken up into republics. The only way to achieve this, or to change anything, will be using extreme violence. Our history has always been like this: bloody.”

The more time he’s spent away from Russia, the more Sergey has decided he never wants to go back. He misses his family and his dog, and his phone screensaver shows a view of Moscow from his old bedroom window. But he loves Belgrade, a city he compares to “Moscow in the early 2000s”. He is proud that hundreds of Russians in Belgrade went to a vigil for Alexei Navalny, after the opposition leader’s death in February, and joined an anti-Putin protest in March.

Sergei would eventually like to move somewhere with better public services and a more “progressive” mindset – maybe London or Berlin, he said – and is applying for jobs at Western companies. But Belgrade suits him for now. In two years he will be able to apply for a Serbian passport, which will give him more freedom to travel. Europe’s travel restrictions on Russians frustrate him: “All this stuff about freedom and democracy is hypocritical: they’ve closed their borders to people who also hate Putin.”

Recently, he watched an interview on TV Rain, an independent Russian news channel run from the Netherlands, with a businessman who had left Russia and decided to cut ties with friends who stayed behind. Sergey still speaks regularly to his half-dozen friends who live in Moscow – they beg him to return, he said.

He hopes Nikolai will visit him one day, although he may be waiting a while. Nikolai recently told Sergey he would only leave his homeland again if “a big war” with Europe broke out. “Then I would hide,” the returned exile explained. “Because I don’t want to kill anyone.” ■

Camilla Bell-Davies is a freelance writer

ILLUSTRATIONS: MICHAEL GLENWOOD

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