AKILI

YOUTH HEALTH ESSAY COMPETITION 2014

BACKGROUND

We are pleased to announce a call for submissions to the 2014 Akili Youth Health Post-
2015 Essay Competition.

We are at a unique point in history. Young people, ages 10-24, make up 27% of the
worlds population. And they face unique health challenges, from road traffic deaths to
HIV/AIDS. As we come to the close of the MDG era, it is vital that youth voices are
represented in shaping the post-2015 agenda. To do this, the Akili Initiative, in
partnership with the U.N. and several leading youth health organizations around the
world, is seeking the perspective of youth voices from around the globe to ensure that
these critical issues are heard in the post-2015 policymaking process.

COMPETITION GUIDELINES

In line with the eligibility requirements of the World Conference on Youth, submissions
must be from young people ages 10-30. Essays must be 500 words or less, and answer the
following question:

"What is the most important health problem facing youth in the world today and why?"

The following are suggested topics for essays (however you are certainly not limited to
these):

- Mental illness
- Road traffic injury
- HIV/AIDS
- Sexual and reproductive health
- Interpersonal violence (gun violence, intimate partner violence, or other)

Essays will be evaluated on the following 5 criteria:
1) Strength of argument for importance of youth health issue
2) Use of evidence and specific examples
3) Connection of issue to ones personal story and work
4) Quality of writing
5) Creativity

SUBMISSION FORMAT

Essays should be written in English using Microsoft Word, in 12-pt font, and contain the
following information: 1) Your name 2) Age and 3) Country.

Document name should be saved as [Last Name]_Akili_Post2015.doc and emailed to
akiliinitiative@gmail.com with subject, Essay Competition, by 11:59 PM EST on April
13th, 2014.

PANELISTS

The essay judges are world-renowned youth advocates with experience in a wide range of
youth health issues. See their photos and profiles on the Akili website.

PRIZES

Top 10 finalists will be featured on the Akili website.

The essay top prizewinner will be awarded an all expenses paid trip to The World
Conference on Youth in Sri Lanka between May 6th- 9th. They will have the opportunity to
meet other youth leaders and policymakers from around the world. The winner will also
report live from the conference through social media.

TIMELINE

March 10th, 2014 Essay competition opens

April 13th


Essays Due to akiliinitiative@gmail.com

April 15th

Top 10 Essays selected and posted online

April 16th April 30th

Top 10 Essays open to the public for voting

April 16th April 30th Top 10 Essays voted on by Expert Panel

May 1st


Votes tallied, Essay Winner Announced!

May 6th- 9th, Colombo Sri Lanka Winner attends World Conference on Youth

ELIGIBILITY

In order to qualify for the essay competition, writers must:

- Be between ages 10-30
- Be able to attend the World Conference on Youth 2014, May 6th- 10th, if chosen as
the winner
- Have a valid passport through the end of the conference