AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS INTER-UNIVERSITY
ESSAY COMPETITION
Call for entries
Deadline for submission is June 30th, 2024
· All entries must be submitted to: wole@humanrightsartmovement.org and copy ihrafafrica@humanrightsartmovement.org in JPEG Format
The African Human Rights Inter-university Essay Competition serves as a guiding light for intellectual exploration and activism throughout the African continent. This contest offers a distinctive platform for university students to channel their academic expertise towards addressing crucial human rights issues resonating in Africa. By encouraging participants to submit essays, the competition cultivates a culture of research, critical thinking, and dialogue, providing a space for young minds to delve into the intricacies of human rights challenges specific to the African context. This endeavor not only fosters a sense of social responsibility but also empowers the upcoming generation of leaders, arming them with the tools to advocate for positive change. Framed within an academic perspective, the competition acts as a catalyst for understanding, envisioning, and actively contributing to the ongoing discourse surrounding human rights in Africa. Submissions for the competition should address the following human rights issues: Gross domestic violence against women, prohibition of same sex activities, sexual abuse on LGBTI persons, human trafficking, Access to Education, Gender Equality, Youth Empowerment, Environmental Justice, Political Participation and Governance, Migration and Refugee Rights, Healthcare Access, Cultural Rights, Freedom of Expression and Media, Social and Economic Inequality. Twenty exceptional entries from the competition will be featured in our upcoming anthology titled "Voices of Change: Essays on Student Activism and Human Rights."
PRIZES TO BE WON:
• First Prize - $100
• Second Prize - $75
• Third Prize - $50
• Five honorable mentions
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Language Medium: English
Eligibility: Open to students enrolled in African universities.
Genre: Essay
Essays should range from a minimum of 1000 to a maximum of 1500 words.
Entries will be evaluated based on originality of thought, depth of analysis, clarity of expression, spelling and grammar, and adherence to contest rules. The chosen subject must directly relate to this year's topic, or the submission will be disqualified.
Entrants can be from any African country.
Entrants are required to provide the following information with their entries:
Name
Age
Student Identity Card
Gender
Country
Address
Phone Number
Source of Call for Entries information
Short Profile about yourself
Permission to publish the essay (in one or two paragraphs)
Name of school or university (if applicable)
Permission to publish the work among the shortlisted entries.
The email subject should be “AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS INTERVERSITY ESSAY COMPETITION."
All entries must be submitted to wole@humanrightsartmovement.org and copy ihrafafrica@humanrightsartmovement.org.
Submission deadline: June 31, 2025.
Any evidence of plagiarism will lead to disqualification.
Organizers' decisions are final.
OTHER BENEFITS
Certificates of Participation will be awarded to all entrants.
Certificates of Excellence will be awarded to shortlisted entrants.
Only shortlisted works will be published.
Automatic membership into the IHRAM Students Ambassador Programme.
For inquiries, contact Wole Adedoyin at +2348072673852 or woleadedoyin@gmail.com.
What they’re saying about us…
A meeting place for arts, human rights and the government. This is a new kind of coming together.
Dr Sarah Sayeed, Senior Advisor in the NYC Community Affairs Unit, specializing in Muslim outreach
IHRAF is one of the only festivals of its kind. The world urgently needs artists who are creating work about human rights - especially at this point in our divisive times.
Christina Evans, Performance Artist, California
The reaction of enthusiasm from the audience showed us that IHRAF was more than just a festival to perform at--it was a platform for artistic exchange on how to use the arts to challenge the world. Love the work IHRAF does!
Shilpa Darivemula, Aseemkala Initiative
I have so much gratitude to be welcomed under the diverse & inclusive umbrella that is IHRAF. It is a gift to receive support from an organization that truly understands the role of art and it's intimate connection to activism, as a vital component to the sustainability and positive growth of our world.
Mara Rosenbloom, pianist, improviser, composer, educator
This is truly a festival for everyone and I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to perform at the IHRAF. Tom is a real thought leader who has a clear vision of the role of the arts in the current world. The festival was also a great place to connect with other passionate artists and become inspired.
Sora Baek, Playwright/Performer
Of many festivals in NYC, this one aligned perfectly with my own values and the values that are inherent in my show. A great organization, very accommodating and supportive of the performer. They had a real plan for marketing that assured a good house. Start to finish, I couldn't have been more pleased with my IHRAF experience.
Mark Lanham, Playwright/Performer
In my view, IHRAF is one of the most powerful movements of the 21st century, and it is here to stay. IHRAF has revolutionized human rights through the use of arts.
Wole Adedoyin, Director, IHRAM African Secretariat
The International Human Rights Art Festival is doing an amazing work by empowering creative writers and providing them with the tools, resources and support they need to create lasting change. By fostering a community of artists and activists united in their pursuit of social justice, IHRAF has established itself as a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change, harnessing the transformative power of art to make the world a better place.
Stanley Umezulike, Nigeria
The International Human Rights Art Festival is the platform of possibilities and eternal optimism. It is IHRAF founder Tom Block’s brave vision that gives these new, emerging and established writers and artists an opportunity to stand up for what they believe in through their art and writing. His initiatives and projects encourage, invite and spur change to happen. Without doubt, thanks to Tom Block’s unwavering support for human rights and the arts.
Kelly Kaur, Singapore/Canada
The International Human Rights Art Festival has been featured in the New York Times, Fox Five Morning Show, NBC Live!, NY Observer, Crain’s NY Business, Metro-NY, AM-NY, Gay City News, Brooklyn Rail, and many others; we have been banned by the Catholic Church, lionized by politicians and government workers and have presented more than 1000 artists from 103 countries in our half-decade of existence!