The international

Essay Contest

The Institute for Youth in Policy’s International Essay Contest was launched to empower students to critically think about the issues that matter to them. By providing a platform for students to express their ideas and opinions, we aim to spotlight valuable insights and ideas from young people around the world. Ultimately, the Institute for Youth in Policy International Essay Contest may be seen as an opportunity for the Institute to invest in the future by supporting and uplifting the voices of young people, and by fostering a sense of civic engagement and social responsibility in the next generation.

Mission

YIP firmly believes in the power of critical thinking and elevating young people’s voices. What this generation has to say matters, and in response, this organization created the International Essay Contest to give young people a platform to create valuable discourse on selected topics. When we give young people opportunities to engage in discourse, the world listens.

Additionally, the contest may serve as a way to spotlight valuable insights and ideas from young people around the world. By encouraging students to write about the issues relatable to them, our competition may help a general audience to better understand the priorities and perspectives of students. With this exposure, our aim is to educate the broader public and young people about the power of discourse and critical analysis.

At its core, the Institute for Youth in Policy’s International Essay Contest may be seen as an investment in the future by supporting and uplifting the voices of young people, and by fostering a sense of civic engagement and social responsibility in the next generation. As young people, our power lies in our voice and as an Institute, our goal is to provide opportunities for these voices to be heard. When young people take ownership, there is no limit to what’s possible.

Create innovative solutions to real-world problems
Tell your story and your perspective
Research issues important to you
Get recognized for your writing
Win prizes for your outstanding work
Get published for your writing

Updates

Follow @yipinstitute on Instagram for regular updates! Email [email protected] with any questions and join the mailing list here.

We will announce the $500 cash prize divided for both options, where the first winner in either option will get 125, second is 75, and third is 50!

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Evaluation

Insight: Does the essay provide unique or interesting insights, analysis or perspectives on its subject matter?

Impact:
Is the significance or impact of the issue(s) being discussed, idea(s) being brought up, or point-of-views being communicated sufficiently captured in the essay?

Clarity and organization
: Is the essay easy to understand, with a clear and logical flow?

Style:
Is the essay engaging and well-written, with appropriate yet compelling tone, language and syntax for the subject matter?


Who can participate?


Any student, in any country, who is enrolled in an accredited high school or college/university at the time of submitting their essay is eligible to participate in the Institute for Youth in Policy International Essay Contest and compete for the prizes.


Students taking academic gap years or semesters are also eligible.


No current employees of the Institute for Youth in Policy, however, will be permitted to enter the contest.


Submission Guidelines

No preference will be given to either category. Two winners will be chosen for each category and will be judged separately. People may not submit more than once. The first option asks you to read a policy brief written by a member of Youth in Policy and respond to it. The second option is to respond to the more open prompts. You are expected to support any answers or conclusions with outside research and to cite it. Please choose between MLA or Chicago for citations. All submissions must be 650 words or fewer, this does not include the works cited page or any in-text citations.

Dates:

3/16/25: Essay competition opens

5/16/2025: Essay closes, no more submissions accepted.

Submit

Options

Option 1

1. https://yipinstitute.org/policy/social-media-warning-label-by-surgeon-general
This article discusses a call made last year by US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy to install warning labels on social media. It also proposes three policy “options” that could be implemented to lessen the negative impacts of social media on youth. Analyze the efficacy of these proposed ideas using evidence from the policy brief, outside sources, or your experience. Determine which you believe to be the most necessary, or suggest your idea!

2.https://yipinstitute.org/capstone/ai-curriculum-public-schools
Artificial Intelligence is one of the fastest-growing fields. While AI has advanced at a tremendous rate, policy has struggled to keep up with its rapid development. Analyze The Case for AI Curriculum in Public Schools: Preparing Students for the Future to assess AI's role in education and evaluate which policies should or shouldn’t be implemented in response to its rapid growth as well as to what extent.

3.https://yipinstitute.org/research
We acknowledge that Youth in Policy doesn’t get to cover everything happening in the world and that things are happening every day that Youth in Policy doesn’t get to report on! Take this opportunity to search the website to find a policy brief about anything you would like to discuss! Feel free to contrast or compare past events with modern events and take the lens of philosophy, law, economics, or any other subject!

Option 2

1. What are the limitations of freedom of speech? Is hate speech protected as free speech? You may answer legally, as regarding a country's constitutions, or you may answer from an ethical standpoint.

2. Are politicians above the law? Should they be held to the same standards as the citizens of their country, should they be put under more scrutiny, or should there be more leniency?

3. From Israel and Palestine to LGBTQ+ rights, how do we limit political polarization through education?

Fall 2023 Prompt and Winners

You've been elected leader of your country. What would you say during your inaugural address to inspire the citizens of your country, including those of every race, religion, political party, and creed?

01

Salma Amanda Latifa, Indonesia

Indonesia: Diversity, Natural Wealth, and a Leader’s Commitment to an Inclusive Future

This essay shined in particular because of its excellent integration of academic research, personal voice, and policy-oriented focus. Furthermore, as an organization that greatly values youth civic participation, the essay’s focus on the importance of youth in the modern world deeply resonated with our team. Fantastic work

Read the essay here.

02

Sophia Rosin, United States

What are the greatest attributes of our Democracy?

This essay highlights that the backbone of Democracy, specifically in the United States, is its ability to encourage deliberation and tolerance. We as a nonpartisan organization that encourages depolarization find the importance in shedding light on this particular subject in the increasingly divided global political climate.  This succinct and engaging description of democracy captured our attention.

Read the essay here.

03

Clarence Tay Han Yang, Singapore

Looking Forward

This speech excelled in its powerful word choice and ability to efficiently incorporate and explain numerous challenging topics. Its smooth progression from the past to the present and future provided a well-researched image of Singapore that garnered our applause.

Read the essay here.

Spring 2023 Prompt and Winners

Countless countries around the world suffer from a plethora of issues – economic hardship, social turmoil, political polarization, pandemic recovery, unreliable leadership, corrupt governance, warfare and conflict, the list goes on. If you were elected the leader of your country, what would you do to address the issues your country faces in order to build a more prosperous society?

01

Ethan Lee Yee Chien
Singapore

"Singapore in the 21st Century: Addressing the Unique Challenges of my Homeland"

Read the essay here.

02

Ototleng Molelekedi
South Africa

"My South African Manifesto"

Read the essay here.

03

Saarah Hussain
Bangladesh

"Beyond the Paradox of Plenty: Battling Bangladesh’s Burdens"

Read the essay here.