Czech essay contest for youth asks for reflections on the claim: "I'm not a racist, but...", deadline 18 February

The Evangelical Church of the Czech Brethren has announced its first annual human rights literary competition for young people. Pupils and students between the ages of 12 to 20 can submit essays on this year’s theme: “I’m not a racist, but…”

“Efforts to defend human rights are one of the Church’s fundamental tasks in society. The Evangelical Church has been organizing an event called ‘We Give Voice to the Humiliated’ for several years now. Its purpose is to publicly remind us all that people in many parts of the world or in various social groups experience oppression because of their faith, beliefs or worldviews. The organizers have decided to expand the initiative to include a student literary competition this year,” the church has posted to its website.

The President of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, Mr. Miloš Vystrčil, has given his auspices to the competition. Applications and submissions (no more than 10 000 characters with spaces) can be sent through the church’s website at www.e-cirkev.cz/soutez 

The received works will be evaluated by an expert jury and there will be a cash prize. The first place essayist will win CZK 5 000 [EUR 205], second place CZK 3 000 [EUR 125] and third place CZK 2 000 [EUR 85].

The applications and essays must be submitted no later than 18 February 2022. The winners will be announced on 17 March 2022 in the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic as part of events leading up to the International Day against Racism on 21 March.