Peace Essay Contest: How Can We Obey the Law Against War?

New website here: http://www.faithpeace.mennonite.net

New Rules: PDF.

2014 Essays: PDF.

2014 entries are in: read them!

Four score and five years ago our fathers brought forth a new world conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all nations are created equal.  When nations came together to renounce war, the Kellogg-Briand Pact they signed became the blueprint for peace on earth.  Unfortunately hardly anyone in America remembers this important historical fact and inconvenient truth.  This is why the West Suburban Faith-Based Peace Coalition (WSFPC) is encouraging people to do a little research on the subject.  Anyone who thinks war is a stupid way to resolve international conflicts is invited to join the 2014 WSFPC Peace Essay-Response Contest.  Those essays which elicit the most significant responses from our country’s leaders will be rewarded, the top prize being $1,000.  The contest rules are listed below.

2014 Peace Essay-Response Contest Rules

The West Suburban Faith-Based Peace Coalition is once again sponsoring a Peace Essay Contest with a $1,000.00 award to the winner, $300 for the runner-up, and $100 for third place.  In contrast to the previous year’s contest, essays now will have to be directed to a person who can help promote knowledge of the Kellogg-Briand Pact (KBP) and, from whom a response is expected.  Essays will be judged not only on the quality of the essay but on the impact of the response.  Everyone is eligible to participate; there are no restrictions regarding age or place of residence.  Participants are required to take the following 3 steps:

1.       To enter the contest send a Peace Essay Request email to coordinator Frank Goetz at frankgoetz@comcast.net.  Provide your Name, Mailing Address, Email Address, Phone Number, and, if under 19, Age.  Also, provide the Name and Position of the person to whom the Essay will be directed.  Your application acceptance as a contest participant will be acknowledged in an email containing your assigned 4-digit Essay Number.  [If information is missing or confusing you will be contacted by phone.]

2.       In 800 words or less write your essay on: How Can We Obey the Law Against War?  By April 15, 2014 send the essay to the person named in your application and a copy to frankgoetz@comcast.net  with your Essay Number in the Subject line.

3.       By May 15, 2014 send Essay Response documentation to frankgoetz@comcast.net with your Essay Number in the Subject line.

The 2014 WSFPC Peace Essay-Response Contest will begin once the Rules are approved by consensus of the WSFPC Servant Leadership Team and posted on our website: http://www.faithpeace.mennonite.net  The WSFPC reserves the right to restrict the number of participants.  We know from our previous experience we can evaluate at least 100 participants.  With broad distribution of the Rules on the Internet with help from affiliated organizations it is difficult (perhaps impossible) to predict the number of Peace Essay Requests.  If necessary we will post a cut-off date of Peace Essay Requests on our website.

Some examples of impact:

1.       The President agrees to explain the limitations placed on the government by KBP.

2.       A member of congress supports a resolution to make August 27 a Day of Reflection.

3.       The ACT or SAT administration agrees to include questions regarding KBP.

4.       A newspaper includes a KBP story.

5.       A school board revises its curriculum to expand KBP studies.

6.       A religious leader calls for nonviolent actions.

We anticipate announcing the Winners at a festive event honoring the 86^th Anniversary of the Kellogg-Briand Pact on August 27, 2014.  Your comments are welcome.  Early applicants will receive a prize with their Essay Number.

Peace,  Frank

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When the World Outlawed War tells the story of how a treaty was created in 1928 that bans war and is still the supreme law of the land under the U.S. Constitution. (Sign the petition to create a holiday.)

This is an annual essay contest that can be entered at any time.

Read the 2013 Winning Essays: Word, PDF.

The top prize is $1,000, with lesser prizes for runners-up.

In 800 words or less answer the question: How can we obey the law against war?

Essays are judged based on (1) Knowledge of the Kellogg-Briand Pact (2) Insight into how the Pact influences U.S. foreign policy (3) Creativity in recommendations regarding compliance (4) Quality of prose.

Please include your: (1) name, (2) age (if under 19), (3) mailing address, (4) phone number, (5) email address, and (6) year and school that you first learned about the Kellogg-Briand Pact.

Email your Peace Essay to frankgoetz@comcast.net or mail to Peace Desk, 213 S. Wheaton Avenue, Wheaton, IL 60187.

This contest is a creation of the West Suburban Faith-Based Peace Coalition.

A copy of When the World Outlawed War by David Swanson will be donated to the library of the winner's school. The WSFPC will also send the best Peace Essays to key members of the U.S. Congress.