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United Nations Day Contest

NOTICE: The submission deadline has been extended to 11:59 p.m. Central Time, on Thursday, October 17, 2024.

UN Essay Contest Logo

The Dorothy Schneider United Nations Essay Contest

The United Nations Essay Contest was endowed by Dorothy Schneider, St. Louisan, Red Cross worker, college English instructor, and author of the U.N. resolution to create United Nations Day. The contest consists of two categories: one for undergraduate students and one for graduate students. Only students at the University of Missouri-St. Louis are eligible to enter.

Entrants shall submit a two to three page written response to the prompt for their category.

First prize: $3000 scholarship

Second prize: $2000 scholarship

The theme of this year's contest is self-determination.

The submission deadline has been extended to 11:59 p.m. Central Time, on October 17, 2024.

Undergraduate essay prompt:

Around the world, more people are exercising their right to self-determination and voting than ever. Elections are happening in 64 countries, representing a combined 49% of the world’s population. How has the United Nations helped promote political participation? Should the UN do more (or less) in this area? If more, in what ways? If less, what would you like to see them stop doing?

Graduate essay prompt:

In chapter 1, article 1 of its charter, the UN emphasizes a key tenet of "respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples."  That principle of self-determination is central to the UN’s mission, yet it often faces challenges in implementation. Using recent examples, analyze the obstacles the UN encounters in promoting self-determination and propose solutions to overcome these challenges

Click here to enter.

Rules:

  • Entries must be the entrant's own, original work.
  • The use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create an essay is strictly prohibited.
  • All sources must be cited.

Judging:

Essays are judged on the following:

  • Content
    • How well did you respond to your prompt?
    • Were your ideas explained clearly?
    • Was your essay engaging?
    • Well-written, has a nice flow.
  • Style
    • Free of significant spelling, grammatical, punctuation, and syntax errors.
    • Sources, when used, are cited properly.
    • Concise. 

If you have any questions, please contact Prof. Stephen Bagwell, contest coordinator at sbagwell@umsl.edu

Past winners:

2023

First Place - $3000 scholarship

Undergraduate: Thomas Sarsfield
Graduate: Mahira Horman

Second Place - $2000 scholarship

Undergraduate: Dora Bell
Graduate: Shristi Rai

Third Place - $1000 scholarship

Undergraduate: Hamdiya Omer
Graduate: Tashmia Sabera

Our judges would also like to recognize the essays of undergraduate Julia Sorn and graduate Raj Prasai with honorable mention.