Think Economics: Essay competition on economics

Friday, 26 May 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Advocata Institute, a think tank based in Colombo, has launched an essay competition on the topic of ‘What economic freedom means to me’.

The competition is open to students in schools and higher education institutes between the ages of 16 and 24 who are citizens of Sri Lanka or currently residing in the country. The students must currently be enrolled in school, university or a higher education institute in full-time or part-time study.

Sri Lanka is said to be land with much potential, yet somehow it never seems to be able to deliver on its potential. Despite free healthcare, free or affordable education, many young people are not satisfied about the available opportunities and choices within Sri Lanka. This is reflected in the increasing numbers who want to study, work and live abroad.

Why is this? Why are young abandoning their homeland to move to new lands overseas?

Ultimately, economics is the study of choice. Because choices range over every imaginable aspect of human experience, so does economics. Something is obviously lacking in terms of opportunities or choices in Sri Lanka that drives its youth abroad. What are these factors? These lie at the heart of economic freedom.

Writers are invited to share their insights, thoughts and feelings about what economic freedom means to them and to discuss what aspects of its core tenants are available and what is missing.

Students are encouraged to interpret the subject the way they choose. Essays should be under 1,500 words for the university category and less than 1,000 words for the schools’ category.

A range of attractive prizes is on offer with a first prize of Rs. 100,000 for university students and a first prize of Rs. 50,000 for school students to further their education, with exciting prizes, participation certificates and opportunities to attend an international leadership summit abroad.

Essays will be judged by an eminent panel of judges including leading Sri Lankan and international academics.

Entry forms and full details are available on www.thinkeconomics.advocata.org. The deadline for submission is 15 June. Essays can be written in Sinhala, Tamil or English.