The Bard Center for Civic Engagement announces an essay contest for students in the Bard network of institutions:

 

 

The world’s seven billionth person was born today, October 31, 2011

 

“What would you tell the world’s seven-billionth person so that s/he can be a responsible global citizen?”

This new global citizen comes into a world of unprecedented breakthroughs in science and technology, a world in which people are more connected than ever before, but with tremendous economic and environmental challenges. As Hakan Altinay wrote in his book Global Civics, “Working on a welcome message for our seven-billionth fellow human being provides us with an opportunity for introspection as well as a frank accounting of the implicit responsibilities we have to other human beings and future generations.”

What welcoming message would you send?

Contest

The contest seeks submissions of 500 – 1000 words that address issues of interest to people worldwide, including challenges and potential solutions for the next generation.  Multi-media submissions will also be considered. 

Student submissions are encouraged from the Bard network of institutions, including:  Al-Quds/Bard Honors College for Liberal Arts and Sciences; American University of Central Asia; Bard College (Annandale-on-Hudson); Bard College Graduate Programs (Annandale-on-Hudson); Bard College at Simon’s Rock; Bard High School Early Colleges (Manhattan, Queens, Newark); Bard Early College of New Orleans; Bard Graduate Center for Decorative Arts; Bard Master of Arts in Teaching Programs (New York City, California, West Bank); Bard Prison Initiative campuses; International Center for Photography; Paramount Bard Academy; and Smolny College/Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences, St. Petersburg State University  and our other partners.

 

Submissions should be emailed to civic@bard.edu

Deadline January 31, 2012

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Three first place winners will be chosen.

 

 

·       Each first place winner will win $500.

·       An honorable mention award of $50 will be given to the best submission from each Bard network institution.

·       Each first place winner will receive a Bard Center for Civic Engagement Excellence Award.

·       Each first place winner will be featured on a panel at Bard’s Annandale-on-Hudson campus that will be simulcast.

·       All winners and honorable mentions will have their entries featured on the Center for Civic Engagement website.

For more information, go to http://www.bard.edu/civicengagement/