2020 7th ARSO Continental Essay Competition for University & College Students

The Organization for Standardization (ARSO ), a body of the African Union (AU), is organizing an essay competition for students below 35 years and government approved institutions of higher learning in Africa, aim at engaging and sensitizing African youths on the benefits of Standards in the socio- economic development of the continent in their respective countries.

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About ARSO 7th Continental Essay Competition.

ESSAY TOPIC (THEME): The Role of Standardization in resolving and addressing the social-economic issues for the Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons and creating durable solutions to forced displacements in Africa.

The Competition aims to have 3 categories of winners: the National, Regional and Continental. In this regard, ARSO is requesting all the National Standards Bodies (NSBs) in Africa to organise the competition at the National level and send out the attached documents (7th Continental Essay Concept Paper and Registration Form) to the various Universities /Colleges for the competition. The NSB is expected to conduct the competition at the National level.

This entails sending out the relevant documents to Colleges/ Universities, receiving the essays from the participants, doing the assessment and awarding or giving recognition to the winners as appropriate to the NSB..

Eligibility

PLEASE NOTE: This essay competition is open to all students in Nigeria Federal and State Universities.

The following essays are not eligible for this competition:

1. Essays that have been shown or accepted for other competitions.
2. Essays that have been published in any form.
3. Essays that focus on the work of a particular person, organization or brand name.

Rules and conditions for the Essay

1. This competition is open to Citizens of all African Countries below the age of 35 years living in Africa and studying in a university/college recognised by the local commission for university education or equivalent body in their countries
2. Length of essays: Essays should be between 1000 and 1200 words
3. Presentation: Essays should be double spaced and presented in Century Gothic, size 12.
4. Language of essays: Essays must be submitted in English or French.
5. Information on the author: Authors may use up to 50 words to describe themselves. Information should include their names, course and year of study, name, town and country in which their university is located. (N. B: this will not be part of the 1000- 1200 words)
6. Contacts of authors: Authors should provide us with their postal, physical, telephone and email addresses on the first page of the essay together with the title of the essay and information on the author. Also kindly attach a copy of the Identity Card or pass port and a completely filled registration form that can be obtained from Apex (www.apextrainingafrica.org) and ARSO (www.arso-oran.org)

WHAT THE ORGANISERS ARE LOOKING FOR—NOT NECESSARILY IN THE ORDER BELOW:

There are different areas on the role of Standardisation in resolving and addressing the socio-economic issues for the Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons and creating durable Solutions to Forced Displacement in Africa

• The Impact of Migration in Africa
• The Problems facing Refugees, IDPs and Returnees in the sustainable Development in Africa
• Strategies developed to address problems facing Refugees, IDPs and Returnees in Africa
• Durable Solution to Forced Displacement within Africa
• The socio-economic issues for the Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons

THE ESSAY SHOULD HAVE:

1. A precise introduction of the essay
2. General understanding of standards within the context of Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
3. Explanation of the problems Refugees, Returnees and IDPs face and how standards can be used to provide durable solutions
4. General understanding of the Specific Issues affecting Refugees, Returnees and IDPs i.e. Security, Health, Livelihoods, Housing and Infrastructure, Education, Environment, Weak government Structures and Asylum Polices
5. A clear example in the society on how Standards have been used to create durable Solutions to Forced Displacement as per the specific issues affecting Refugees, Returnees and IDPs within Africa or in your country
6. A clear conclusion

PRIZES FOR WINNERS

There will be two levels of winners

At Regional Level (in Nigeria Naira)

• 1st position – $500
• 2nd position – $300
• 3rd position – $200

At Continental Level

• 1st position – (male and female) each $ 1000
• 2nd position –$ 800
• 3rd position – $ 500

In addition the 1st Position Winner will be awarded a trip and accommodation to the next ARSO general Assembly Events in Kampala, Uganda that will take place in 2020 to be honored.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINNERS

• Regional winners

Information on regional winners will be published on the following websites:

1. The organizers
2. Their respective regional economic communities
3. The website of their national standards body Regional winners will be announced during the national standards day celebrations in their countries immediately following the essay competition and selection of winners

• Continental winners

Information on Continental winners will be published on the following websites:

1. The organizers
2. African Union Commission
3. Website of all national standards bodies Continental winners will be announced during the Africa Standards Day Celebration held yearly during the ARSO General Assembly. 

How to Enter ARSO Continental Essay Competition.

Email address for submission in Nigeria:

• [email protected] / [email protected] ; 08033390748
• [email protected] / [email protected] ; 08038396788

Deadline to apply: Saturday, 22nd February, 2020..

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The Allschool Team wishes you best of luck as you participate in this essay!