What does INDEPENDENCE mean to you and how do you see PNG in 50 years time?
TOPIC STATEMENT
Papua New Guinea is celebrating 50 years of independence. What does independence mean to you and how do you see Papua New Guinea in 50 years time?
CRITERIA
"TARGET PARTICIPANTS: GRADE 11 STUDENTS NATIONWIDE"
ESSAY
The essay must be in English and 2,000 to 3,000 words long. Participating students can blend personal reflection with research such as interviews with elders or history analysis and literature reviews. Students are also encouraged to have subthemes such as cultural pride, unity diversity, leadership or legacy.
POEM
Poems must be in English and have at be 6 to 10 stanzas long. Each stanza should have at least 4 lines. Poems can be free verse or with traditional forms such as rhymes.
Note: Individual students can lodge entries in one or both categories of the contest
KEY DATES:
FRIDAY 23RD MAY 2025
LAUNCHING
CLOSING DATE
FRIDAY 20TH JUNE 2025
Selection of top 6 entries in each school : Friday 27th June 2025
Selection of top 6 entries in each province: Friday 11th July 2025
Selection of top 24 regionaal entries: Friday 25th July 2025
24 finalists from 4 regions will particpate in a week long programme commemorating the 41st anniversary of the officical opening of Parliament House in Port Moresby in August 2025 where they will meet both current national leaders as well as pioneering members of parliament.
SECONDLY
They will receive return air tickets to Port Moresby, a daily stipend and accommodation during the week in Port Moresby all paid by the National Parliament.
THIRD
Contestant will have an opportunity to read or recite their entries to a national audience. Finalist entries may also be published.
FINALLY
Copies of all 24 entries will be placed in capsule to be buried in the presence of pioneering members of parliament with the prospect of students to be part of the ceremony in 2075 when the capsule is opened. Details of finalists and pioneering members of Parliament with photographs are to be included as items in the capsule.
USE THE FORM BELOW TO SUBMIT YOUR ESSAYS AND POEMS
