International Essay Writing Competition for School Students About Sustainable Living

The Trust for Sustainable Living is pleased to invite schoolchildren around the world to share their unique perspectives through their 2019 Essay Competition on the role young people can play in achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal #15 – to conserve and sustainably manage life on land.

The essay competition is aimed at primary students and secondary students, supported by Teacher Champions, parents, and schools. All students and Teacher Champions who participate in the essay competition are invited to attend the 2019 International Schools Debates in British Columbia, Canada (July 8^th-12^th, 2019).

Prize

1. Every year, one overall Grand Prize winner (plus Teacher Champion and parent) wins a free trip to the TSL International Schools Debates & Awards. The 2019 debates will take place in Victoria and Vancouver, Canada, kindly hosted by the government of British Columbia.

2. The writers of the top ten essays in each school category (Primary or Secondary) receive medals and all Finalists, Honourable Mentions, and Debate Attendees receive personalised certificates.

Eligibility

1. Children can participate in one of two categories – Primary Schools (ages 7-11) or Secondary Schools (ages 11-17).
2. Children are strongly encouraged to share their own experiences (good or bad, local or national) in order to help bring their essays alive and support a meaningful international dialogue. Students could either approach the topic by considering Life on Land broadly, or focus more on one aspect of the topic – for example managing forests sustainably or stopping biodiversity loss.
3. Each student is invited to submit one essay in English, entitled: "Young people are key to achieving SDG #15 (Life on Land)"

   Primary students (ages 7-11; max. 400 words).
   Secondary students (ages 11-17; max. 600 words).