International Christian University (ICU) and Japan ICU Foundation invite youths from around the world to share their views on how to make society better. Each year, essay topics are selected in the areas of human rights and current events. For 2023, the application is open from August 15 to October 12. Apply to win great prizes, including the top prize of two round-trip tickets to Japan!

Prizes
Top Prize ( 1 winner ): Two round-trip airline tickets to Tokyo in the summer of 2024 for the winner and a guarantor. A visit to ICU will be incorporated into the trip. In lieu of the airline tickets, the top prize winner has the option of receiving 100,000 yen.
Second Prize ( 1 winner ): 50,000 yen gift card
Third Prize ( 10 winners ): A book translated by ICU students Illustrated Universal Declaration of Human Rights in French, English, and Japanese
Special Prize (1 winner) for those who have not been educated in English for more than 1 year: same as 3rd prize

Schedule
Application Open Date: Tuesday, August 15, 2023, 0:00 JST
Application Close Date: Thursday, October 12, 2023, 23:59 JST
Announcement of Winners: Wednesday, December 20, 2023, 11:00 JST (Results will be announced on the ICU website and by email.)

Way of Application:
All essays must be submitted online through Submittable platform. The application form will open from August 15 until October 12, 2023.

Language: Essays must be written in English.

Word Limit: No more than 650 words, excluding essay title and bibliography

Essay Title: Essays must have a title. Please create a title that best describes the essence of your essay. The title does not count towards the word limit.

Eligibility: Applicants must be aged 14-18 as of October 12, 2023 (inclusive) and must currently reside outside of Japan. University/college students as of October 12, 2023 are ineligible to apply.

Participation fee: Free

For more information about ICU Global Youth Essay Competition 2023 , please visit www.icu.ac.jp/en/news/GlobalYouthEssay2023.html

Competition flyer (for printing)