USIP Announces National Peace Essay Contest Scholarship Awardees
49 Students Earn $1,000 Academic Scholarship
For Immediate Release, May 16, 2014
Contact: Allison Sturma, 202-429-4725
(Washington) - Today the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) announced the state winners of the National Peace Essay Contest (NPEC) for high school students. Examining how security sector reform contributes to sustainable peace, this year's state level winners represent 46 states, the District of Columbia, and the categories for American territories and Americans living abroad. They each will receive a $1,000 academic scholarship.
Each year, the NPEC scholarship competition challenges students to think about international conflict issues related to the Institute's work. Around the world, USIP helps to build professional, sustainable and locally-supported security institutions that promote democracy and the rule of law by assisting U.S. and foreign governments in reform efforts and developing cadres of experts through education and training.
Engaging young people – the next generation of leaders – is a key part of the Institute's mission. With programs like the Essay Contest, on-site educational programs, buildingpeace.org, and the Peacebuilding Toolkit for Educators, the Institute's Global Peacebuilding Center works to empower young people with the skills needed to become engaged global citizens who understand the connections between their lives and the lives of people around the world.
In June, the three national winners, from Arkansas, Colorado, and New Hampshire, will visit the Institute's headquarters in Washington, DC for a three-day educational program, which will include meetings with foreign policy leaders and Institute experts.
The 2014 National Peace Essay Contest state winners are:
Alabama Alaska Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota |
Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New York Oregon Overseas Schools Pennsylvania South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming |
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The United States Institute of Peace is an independent, nonpartisan conflict management center created by Congress to prevent and mitigate international conflict through nonviolent means. USIP works to save lives, increase the government's ability to deal with conflicts before they escalate, reduce government costs, and enhance national security. USIP is headquartered in Washington, DC. To learn more, visit www.usip.org.