To mark the 2020 World Anti-Corruption Day, the U.S. Embassy in Kolonia is organizing a Virtual Essay Competition for citizens and residents of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). The competition invites participants to explore the origins of corruption through their essays.
Participants are encouraged to reflect on questions such as: “Try to identify the reasons that lead to corruption. Is it true that as long as some people hold more power than others, there will always be corruption? What can you as a citizen do to help end corruption?”
The contest offers several prizes, including an Apple iPhone SE for first place, a $100 FSMTC Telecard for second place, and a $50 FSMTC Telecard for third place.
Eligibility criteria specify that participants must be either citizens or residents of FSM and aged between 15 and 20 years old. Additionally, they must reside in one of the FSM states.
Entries must be submitted by December 3, 2020, at 12:00 pm Pohnpei Time. Essays should not exceed 500 words and must be written in English without any defamatory or offensive language. Submissions should be emailed to KoloniaPAS@state.gov with the participant's name, age, and current state of residence included.
The embassy emphasizes that essays must be original works not previously used in other competitions. They reserve the right to request proof of age from winners if necessary. Winning entries will have their work showcased on the U.S. Embassy Kolonia’s website and social media platforms.
For further information regarding this competition, Abigail Kim, Public Diplomacy Assistant at U.S. Embassy Kolonia can be contacted via telephone at 691-320-2187 or email at KoloniaPAS@state.gov.