Deadline: July 31st 2019, 11:59 pm (UK)
THE ECONOMIST’s Open Future initiative was begun last year to make the case for political, economic and social freedoms at a time when these values are under assault. We want this exploration of ideas to involve our critics as well as our supporters.
As part of the initiative we are holding an essay contest.
The essay question is:
What fundamental economic and political change, if any, is needed for an effective response to climate change?
Description: For decades the world has been aware that human activity is heating up the planet to dangerous levels, with potentially calamitous consequences. Despite efforts by government, business and individuals to curtail the trend, carbon emissions are still rising. Perhaps new thinking is needed, since previous attempts to deal with the problem have failed. So what might be done?
Essays should take a side, analyse the situation and build a case based on argument and facts. Elegant writing is important but the judges will make allowances for those for whom English is not their native language. The winner will be based on the subjective decision of the judging panel.
There will be one winner.
The winning entry will be published online by The Economist.
Prizes/Benefits:
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The prize for the winner will be an invitation to one of The Economist’s Open Future events to be held on October 5th 2019 and at venues in Hong Kong, Manchester and Chicago.
This will include an economy-class flight for the winner, if required to get to the relevant event, and hotel accommodation for at least two nights. The Economist will determine in its sole discretion which Open Future event location to award to the winner.
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Please note that if you win and you are under 18 at the time of the relevant Open Future event, a person with parental responsibility or some other responsible adult must accompany you. The Economist will also provide an economy-class ticket and hotel accommodation for this person.
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The prizes do not include any items other than those expressly stated. They do not include, for example, insurance costs, the costs of transfers to and from airports, food and drink other than meals provided by The Economist, taxes or personal expenses. Any such costs, or other costs incidental to the fulfilment of the prize, are the responsibility of the winner.
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You will be responsible for ensuring that you are available to travel and hold valid passports, any necessary visas and other travel documents for the prize in question on the travel dates specified.
Eligibilities:
- It is open to people between 16 and 25 years old.
- Entries should be no more than 1,000 words in length, and must be written in English.
How to apply:
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All entries must be received by 11:59 pm (UK) on July 31st 2019, the closing date of the Competition. Only entries that are duly received by us by the closing date will be eligible for the Competition. We cannot accept responsibility for entries that are lost, delayed or damaged and proof of sending an online entry is not proof that we received it.
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Entries must be submitted as plaintext in the body of an email addressed to [email protected], with the subject line: “Open Future essay competition”.
Note: File attachments are not allowed and will not be opened.
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Entries cannot be returned so please remember to retain a copy.
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All entries must be the original work of the entrant and must not infringe the rights of any other party. The Economist accepts no responsibility if entrants ignore these terms and conditions and entrants agree to indemnify The Economist against any claim by any third party from any breach of these terms and conditions.
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Entries must not contain defamatory, obscene, offensive, or any other unsuitable material; The Economist reserves the right to disqualify entries containing such matter. Entries must be suitable to be published by The Economist for audiences of all ages.
