2012 World Bank International Essay Competition – Not happening?
This is bad news for writing enthusiasts around the world. In a message posted via Facebook last Janaury 17, Ms Catherine Doody, Communications Associate for World Bank (WB), announced that the annual World Bank International Essay Competition “has been put on hold for the time being.” She made the post on the same date the annual competition was launched a year ago.
Last week, Ms Doody pointed out that “several discussions with different partners are ongoing” and that “there may be something in the fall of 2012.” This appears to be the best case scenario since she pointed out that there might be no competition at all until 2013. She added: “I will do my best to keep you informed, also about other essay competitions that I am made aware of.”
For those interested, she also informed everyone that they “will also have some youth focused activities around the World Bank’s Spring Meetings in April (live chat forums seeking youth input on different topics).”
Launched in 2004, this annual global competition aims “to provide an opportunity for youth around the world to share their ideas on critical development issues.” Participants must be between 18 to 25 years old. Youth migration was the theme last 2011. The competition got more than 2,000 entries, written in English, French and Spanish. The WB noted that 95% of the participants came from developing countries.
PS: I was a participant last year, and though I did not make it to the top 200, I still got this wonderful certificate from the organizers:
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Thanks for the information Since I also don’t find the information yet about this year competition. Even my age is not eligible to join the competition. But it is really disappointing. I hope for the next competition, youth above 25 age can be eligible to join.
irma-alliza.blogspot.com
Hi, Irma! I just hope a variation of the competition would still push through this year, although it seems not likely at the moment.
so is it happening or not?
As it appears, it won’t.
tel me please
Hi Mark,
I’ve been anticipating for this year’s contest (checking up on the WB website every now and then), only to be dampened by this unexpected news. I really wish beyond all reason that it will push through. Give the kids a chance! 🙂
I participated for the first time last year, and met the same fate as yours 😉 … I will be 25 by the year-end, and technically that’s the last train boarding should the competition resume in 2013. Still, quite disheartened 😐
Btw, nice blog! See you around 🙂
~from a kababayan, Chel
Hi, Chel!
Mabuhay! Thanks for visiting and commenting. I appreciate it. I was disappointed as well by this development. I am one of those I described here as writing competition enthusiasts. Hehe. 🙂
I hope WB can still somehow organize a competition before the year ends. Thanks for the compliment. I hope you can visit my site again. I promise, you’ll never run out of something interesting to read. 🙂
Mark
thanks buddy)))
You’re welcome!
i have been searching the net for the cpmpetion last year i saw it late . please keep us imformed
Sure, dear. I will. Just check on later for other updates.
That’s too bad. And I was hoping on this year’s edition! Anyway, congratulations on your certificate! T’looks good.
It certainly does! Thank you. We still have nine months before the year ends. WB might be able to come u with something this year still.
You can also follow the update in http://www.myudara.com for more information on the official release
I really hope the competition holds this year. I want to give it another try. Congrats to last year’s winner and weldone to all those who participated. Lagos, Nigeria
Hi there! As things stand so far, it seems that there won’t really be any competition this year.
please keep me informed.
Sure. Check again for updates.
Hello there Mark,
First things first; intersting blog you’ve got here mate!
On turning 18, the WB essay competition was one of the most important things I looked forward to. Alas, fate seems to have other plans!
However, an alternative to this can be the JVI (Joint Vienna Institute) 20th anniversary essay competition. JVI looks like they’re collaborating with the WB (I’m not absolutely certain what to make of it?) for their competition, and the themes sound remarkably similar.
Because you seem like someone who’s gotten his head into this and clearly knows a lot more than I do, can you look this JVI link up, and let me know if there’s any credibility to this competition? What are the WB’s associations with it? Are the 2 remotely related? Etc.
Here are a couple of links that I found useful:
http://wbi.worldbank.org/wbi/news/2011/10/24/jvi-20th-anniversary-essay-and-video-contest
http://www.jvi.org/index.php?id=25974
Thank you loads, appreciate it!
– Maggie 🙂
Hi, Maggie! Thanks for dropping by. I hope to have you visit again. 🙂
I checked the two sites you gave here and yes, they are referring to the same competition. As you implied, WB is helping out JVI in promoting the contest. The sad thing is, the deadline for this essay contest has long passed. In fact, the organizers are already scheduled to announce the winners as soon as next week! Too bad.
Anyway, please visit http://www.asiawrites.org for more writing competitions for us Asians. I’ll be sending you an email in the address you provided.
Regards,
Mark
Pls keep me informed wen d competition wud resume,tnk u vewi much
I’ll post it here as soon as I have a new update.