THE Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo has announced an exciting new initiative aimed at engaging the nation’s youth in conversations about the energy sector.
According to a press release, the inaugural essay competition is open to all secondary school students in Guyana, providing a platform for young minds to explore the dynamic energy landscape and its implications for the country’s future.
This competition is designed to inspire students to think critically about pressing issues related to energy and sustainability. Participants will compete in three categories based on their school Forms.
For Forms One and Two, topics include hypothetical management of Guyana’s oil revenues, the role of youth in nation-building and what makes the country an attractive tourism destination.
Forms Three and Four students will delve into the importance of community engagement in energy projects, explore how the nation can leverage its oil wealth sustainably and consider investments necessary to combat climate change.
For the senior category, encompassing Forms Five and CAPE students, the topics challenge participants to discuss local community involvement in energy initiatives, the economic transformations brought about by oil discovery and the prospective contributions of youth to the future energy sector.
In addition to the educational opportunity, the competition offers substantial prizes. First-place winners in all categories will receive US$1,000. while the top winner in the senior category will be awarded a US$10,000. scholarship.
Second-place winners will take home US$500. and an iPad, while third-place winners will receive US$250. and a cellular phone. The awards ceremony is scheduled for February 18, 2025, coinciding with the opening day of the Guyana Energy Conference.
To participate, students must ensure their essays are original works, submitted by a single author. Each entry should include a cover page with essential details such as the essay title, participant’s name, age, class, school, and contact information.
Essays must be written in English and can be submitted via email or delivered in person to a designated address in Georgetown.
Participants are required to adhere to specific word counts based on their category, ranging from 600 to 1,200 words, and must directly address the assigned topics.
The guidelines emphasise the importance of originality and clarity in writing, discouraging the use of AI tools for assistance. The organisers will employ techniques to verify the authenticity of submissions, and any entries that do not comply with the guidelines will be disqualified.
With a submission deadline set for December 31, 2024, the competition not only seeks to cultivate a deeper understanding of the energy sector among students but also empowers them to voice their ideas and insights.
As Guyana’s energy landscape continues to evolve, this initiative provides an invaluable opportunity for the youth to contribute to the national dialogue on sustainability and development