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Essay Competition Topic: Tapping the Potential of Science, Technology and Innovation in Agri-food Chains in Africa - Creating Employment & Wealth for Youths in Africa.

TOPIC: Tapping the Potential of Science, Technology and Innovation in Agri-food Chains in Africa - Creating Employment & Wealth for Youths in Africa

CTA and ATPS are happy to announce an essay competition based on the above topic. The essay should explore the following areas:

identify the critical obstacles facing the youth in the quest for employment and wealth creation in Africa

explore how agriculture, science, technology and innovation can be employed to overcome these obstacles

give practical proposals/suggestions on how to tap the potential of agriculture, science, technology and innovation in agri-food chains in Africa.

NB: this section should include concrete recommendations and steps to be taken to address the issues of unemployment.

Guidelines

The essay should be approximately 1,500 words in length, written in English and submitted in MS-Word (Font: Times New Roman, 12 points).

The essay together with full curriculum vitae (CV) must be submitted as MS-Word attachments.

Personal experiences/reflections: the use of personal experiences in creating employment opportunities using science, technology and innovation in agriculture is preferred giving details of the science/technology employed, description of the problem solved, and the results/impact (number of people employed or situations improved)

The essays could also focus on the activities of an organization that is engaged in creating wealth and employment opportunities by harnessing the powers of Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I) in the agri-food chains.

Eligibility

Youth in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) aged between 18-30 years.

Judging Criteria

Essays will be evaluated on the basis of demonstrated understanding on the issues, quality of argument or analysis and writing style.

Prizes

Sponsorship to the CTA/ATPS youth congress on "Youth and Employment/Wealth Creation: Opportunities in Agriculture, Science and Technology" in June 2005 in Nairobi, Kenya. (Travel, accommodation, and sustenance paid)

Cash prize and certificates for the top 5 entrants

Essays to be published on the CTA/ATPS websites and other publications

Deadline

All essays and application materials must be sent through the following e-mail address youth@atpsnet.org no later than 10 May, 2005. News Releases Newsletter Success Stories.