Human Rights & Business Essay Competition

Advancing its Human Rights & Business Programme launched in 2011, Africa Legal Aid (AFLA) will convene a series of events starting July 2012, examining the link between corporate accountability and human rights on the African continent. The programme features a high level Pan-African conference bringing together business leaders, legal experts, civil society representatives, and public officials in Johannesburg, South Africa. A youth side event; a documentary screening; and a debate on corporate social responsibility and human rights will also be held. The academic component of the programme is complemented by an editorial dimension, through the publication of an AFLA Quarterly issue dedicated to Human Rights & Business. A set of best practice guidelines in regard to the topic will also be published. A network will be established amongst businesses, civil society and public administration to further the aims of the program me.

As part of our aim to engage young people in shaping Africa’s human rights agenda, we introduce an essay competition, allowing youth to voice their concerns and solutions in regard to human rights and business accountability.

Assignment
Identify a problem regarding human rights and business in Africa as a whole or in your specific African country and share your proposed solution in a maximum of 500 words.

Evaluation
In reviewing your contributions, the following will be taken into consideration: critical examination of the causes and effects of the issue approached, originality and feasibility of the proposed solution; and style and structure of the essay. Winners will be notified by email. Their names will also be published on the Africa Legal Aid website and Facebook page.

Eligibility
Young people between the ages of 18 and 25, who are nationals of and residents of African countries.

Prizes
First prize: US$500
Second prize: US$250
Third prize: US$150
The three winning essays will be published in Africa Legal Aid’s flagship journal, the ALFA Quarterly.

To Participate
Please submit your paper to r.afana@africalegalaid.com by 15 July 2012.

Details
For further information on AFLA’s Human Rights & Business Programme, please click here. Also, follow Africa Legal Aid on Facebook.