The Annual Essay Contest for Children and Young People of African Descent encourages African children, aged 7 to 16 years, from across Africa and the African diaspora, to read, conduct research and express themselves on challenging historical and contemporary issues that affect people of African descent globally.
The contest is open to African children in three age groups: 7 to 10 years, 11 to 13 years and 14 to 16 years. Contestants write in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and traditional African languages.
All participants receive feedback from the Judges and a certificate. Additionally, the top three winning essayists are awarded a prize.
Every year, hundreds of children are turned away because of a lack of Judges.
History
This contest was originally born out of a desire to encourage both analytical and critical thinking in youth of African descent in the UK as I was concerned about the level of literacy, lack of educational attainment and the future of our children.
The topics require a high level of analysis and allow essayists to research, engage with, think about and express themselves on challenging topics that affect people of African descent in Africa and the African diaspora. Essayists have analysed a speech given by President Obama in Ghana, written about resource-grabbing and its impact on food security, the impact of 'development' AID, science and technology, the toxic chemistry of everyday products, the influence of western culture on African nations, their experience of land grabbing and interpreted the African proverb "Until the lion learns to write, tales of hunting will always glorify the hunter".
We supplement the work that teachers, parents and guardians are doing in the schools and homes by providing an opportunity for our Future Leaders to showcase their creativity, critical thinking skills and self-expression.
Although my initial aim was to support educational attainment in the UK, this contest has grown and has had participants from Barbados, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Uganda, the UK, the US and Zimbabwe.
Our Future Leaders are extremely capable and prove it every year! See Impact.
Listen to these young winners from 2011 - UK contest (below).
The contest is open to African children in three age groups: 7 to 10 years, 11 to 13 years and 14 to 16 years. Contestants write in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and traditional African languages.
All participants receive feedback from the Judges and a certificate. Additionally, the top three winning essayists are awarded a prize.
Every year, hundreds of children are turned away because of a lack of Judges.
History
This contest was originally born out of a desire to encourage both analytical and critical thinking in youth of African descent in the UK as I was concerned about the level of literacy, lack of educational attainment and the future of our children.
The topics require a high level of analysis and allow essayists to research, engage with, think about and express themselves on challenging topics that affect people of African descent in Africa and the African diaspora. Essayists have analysed a speech given by President Obama in Ghana, written about resource-grabbing and its impact on food security, the impact of 'development' AID, science and technology, the toxic chemistry of everyday products, the influence of western culture on African nations, their experience of land grabbing and interpreted the African proverb "Until the lion learns to write, tales of hunting will always glorify the hunter".
We supplement the work that teachers, parents and guardians are doing in the schools and homes by providing an opportunity for our Future Leaders to showcase their creativity, critical thinking skills and self-expression.
Although my initial aim was to support educational attainment in the UK, this contest has grown and has had participants from Barbados, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Uganda, the UK, the US and Zimbabwe.
Our Future Leaders are extremely capable and prove it every year! See Impact.
Listen to these young winners from 2011 - UK contest (below).