Stepping up the youth’s potential in shaping the country’s energy future
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Believing in the immense potential of the next generation in helping shape the country’s energy future, the institutional and corporate partners of the Essay Writing Contest for College/University Students have introduced two Special Categories that aims to dig deeper into the ideas of the youth on how the country would be able to move forward from the vicious cycle of energy crisis and how this vital sector can contribute in the preservation of the environment and into abating climate change risks.
The two Special Categories revolve on the sub-themes: “Strategic Measures in Ensuring Success of a Competitive Electricity Market”, advocated by institutional partner Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC); and “Clean Energy Solutions”, which is supported by the Aboitiz Power Corporation. They were launched last June 11, 2010 at the Bryant George Hall of the Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center in Cebu City.
In view of the latest developments, the organizers have decided to move deadline of submissions to July 31, 2010 (details are provided in the Contest Rules). The awarding rites will be scheduled August this year.
The main theme of the essay writing contest is: “The Role of the Youth: In Tackling the Challenges of the New Energy Future” and the Grand Award to be named the “Shell Youth Excellence Award” will be bestowed in collaboration with Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation.
In extending support to the competition, ERC Chairperson Zenaida G. Cruz-Ducut noted that they join the aim of farming from the youth their ideas and concepts on how best the next generation can help to tackle the problems bugging the energy sector in order to make the future of the youth brighter.
“The ERC is excited to be part of this project. It sees the need to hone the writing skills of the youth and at the same time empower them to tackle analytically the issues in the electric power industry of the country. When the time is ripe, these youthful journalists can be agents of change by being effective communicators of Filipino people’s concerns, voices to guide our policymakers. It is hoped that the Knowledge and Capacity Enhancement Training for Energy Journalism will start a greater awareness of the challenges presented by the reformation of the Philippine electric power industry in the youth so that the long road to reform will be reached with the vim and vigor of the young.,” the ERC chairperson stressed.
During the launching of the Special Categories, Sebastian Lacson, Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. chief reputation officer, said that amid the energy crisis in the country, the contest is an opportunity for students to become the “beacons of the gospel of renewable energy.”
Energy stakeholders noted that there are many issues that the youth can look into on how they can become part of the solution in addressing the country’s energy challenges – such as on the pressing challenges of global warming and climate change risks threatening humanity; energy supply shortages; pollution and emission problems from energy facilities and end-users (i.e. transport in the oil sector); rising costs of fuel and electricity; setting innovative ways on how consumers can save on their energy consumption; the debates on the country’s readiness to go nuclear; and the cost-versus-environmental impact concerns on renewable energy and clean energy technologies vis-à-vis fossil fuels, among others.
Qualified participants are students enrolled in undergraduate courses or Master’s degree during academic year 2009-2010 or at the time of the submission of their entries; and they must be 16-30 years old. Entries shall comprise of 1,000 to 2,000 words.
Project partner Pilipinas Shell reiterated that “our generation must pass on to future generations as many energy options as we enjoy today. Shell is excited to be part of this endeavour, which we aim to provide an opportunity for current and future leaders to harness their potential and challenge them to find solutions to the world's energy challenge.”
Shell Vice President for Communications Roberto S. Kanapi said their company “believes that the world needs to build a better energy system - people need energy to power their lives and a clean environment to sustain their lives in the long term. Through this and other activities, we look forward to continue working with innovators whose knowledge, creativity and ideas will help us meet the world's growing need for energy in a socially and environmentally responsible way."
Project coordinator and energy journalist Myrna M. Velasco noted “it is highly beneficial to start educating the youth on the importance of energy, and they must also learn the responsible and sustainable use of the resource given its well-known impact on the environment. All the talk about abating climate change risks will primarily be for the next generation to take care of.”
Competition rules can be accessed at www.energy-elink.com/essay and at www.energyyouthleaders.com and our blogsite’s integrated link at: www.abs-cbnnews.com/energy. Posters are also distributed at various colleges and universities. Inquiries about the contest may also be channeled thru 0927-9862168 or energyyouthleaders@yahoo.com. You may also refer to the press releases of our partners at: http://www.aboitiz.com/Newsroom/index.php?p=48&type=2&sec=29&aid=1842&pg and http://www.erc.gov.ph/new/10-10-PR_ERC%20DOE%20ECP%20writing%20contest.html
The energy writing tilt is being undertaken in collaboration with key stakeholders in the sector, such as the Department of Energy, ERC and the Energy Council of the Philippines, the local chapter of the World Energy Council. Aside from Pilipinas Shell and Aboitiz Power, the other corporate partners include San Miguel Corporation, CalEnergy International, Manila Electric Company, TeaM Energy, Korea Electric Power Corporation, Quezon Power (Philippines) Ltd. Co., DMCI Holdings, Seaoil Philippines, Unioil Petroleum Philippines Inc., Philippine National Oil Company, First Gen and Energy Development Corporation.
The Grand Winner, aside from receiving a Cash Prize of P50,000 and trophy will also get the chance to be nominated as the Philippine Youth Representative to an international energy conference this year. Two other runner-up winners will be chosen by the Board of Judges and will be entitled to cash prizes of P30,000 and P20,000, respectively.
For the winners in the Special Categories, they are entitled to a cash prize of P35,000 (each) plus trophy and will also get the chance for nomination as representative to the international energy conference.
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.... APPLICATION FORM (Download it here...)
Essay Writing Contest: Updated Summary and Rules
Objectives-Specific
The project is an inter-university competition aimed at promoting the young Filipino’s role in attaining sustainable energy independence while maintaining a sound ecosystem. It seeks for views on the new generation’s contribution to having a ‘clean’ and environment-friendly source of energy – oil and electricity in particular. The contest will also look for their views on the best types of eco-friendly power generation and energy conservation policies and measures to support development.
Qualification
Entry must be from Filipino citizen, 16-30 years old, enrolled during academic year (2009-2010) or at the entry submission (AY2010-2011) in a four or five-year undergraduate course or post-graduate degree (Master’s level) in a college or university in the country. The essay piece submitted must not have been published print or online. A student can only submit one essay for the main entry.
In the two Special Categories, participants are allowed to submit additional entry/ies on the sub-themes: Clean Energy Solutions and/or Strategic Measures in Ensuring Success of a Competitive Electricity Market.[i]
A complete entry should have the following:
* Accomplished application form with passport size picture
* One-page summary stating career goals and aspirations
* Proof of enrollment in a university/college i.e. photocopy of recent ID or University certification
* Essay containing 1,000 to 2,000 words with the main theme:
“The Role of the Youth: In Tackling the Challenges of the New Energy Future”
Criteria for judging
There will be two-level judging for the entries by a panel from the government, private energy companies and the media. The criteria for judging are as follows:
1.1 Substance 40%
1.2 Writing style and clarity of points 30%
1.3 Originality (of concepts and ideas) 30%
Project Implementation -- March to August 2010.
Timelines
Project Launching
March 22, 2010
Bancom/TPIC Rooms (3rd Floor)
Asian Institute of Management, Makati City
Launching of the Special Categories
June 11, 2010
Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center
Cebu City
Deadline of Submission of Entries
July 31, 2010
Awarding Rites
August 2010
(Final date and venue to be announced soon)
Submission of Entries
Participants can submit their entries two ways. Nevertheless, they are required to ensure that all required documents are attached (scanned copies for online submissions and they should be ready to have them mailed or personally submit it to the Essay Writing Committee when requested).
By Mail
Address it to:
Energy Library Project Office
9th Floor, Wholesale Electricity Spot Market
Robinsons-Equitable Tower
ADB Avenue, Ortigas, Pasig City
By Online Submission*
Thru email address:
essay@energyyouthleaders.com
The envelope or email subject line must be labeled:
Essay Writing Contest Entry (Main Category)
or
Essay Writing Contest Entry (Special Category)
*We will send email confirmation on the receipt of your entries. Please notify us also of your entry submission at energyyouthleaders@yahoo.com.
Inquiries
You may inquire with us about the contest at:
energyyouthleaders@yahoo.com
Prizes
For the main category, there will be a grand winner to be named for the “Shell Youth Excellence Award” and who will also get the chance to be nominated as the Philippine Youth Representative to an international energy conference this year.
Two other runner-up winners will be chosen by the Board of Judges. Trophies and cash awards of P50,000; P30,000 and P20,000 will be bestowed on the first, second and third prize winners, respectively.
For the winners in the Special Categories, they are entitled to a cash prize of P35,000 (each) plus trophy and will also get the chance for nomination as representative to the international energy conference.
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[i] Corporate and institutional sponsors are allowing submissions from Filipino students enrolled in universities abroad for the two Special Categories. But entries for the main theme are confined only to Filipino students enrolled in Philippine universities.
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