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The Center for International Relations announces its Writing Competition where winners are eligible for publication in the upcoming issue of The Forum, a quarterly on international affairs and economics: For this competition, students may choose from 2 topics to enter: BRIC countries and Social Media.
Writing Competition Topic 1:
BRIC Countries – Have they lost their edge?
BRIC is the acronym coined by Jim O'Neill in 2001, in reference to those countries that were at the time, deemed to be at similar stages of newly advanced economic development – the group consisting of Brazil, Russia, India and China. Today, the acronym still refers to these countries, but perhaps also has become synonymous and used as a symbol of the power shift seen in the global economic terms – away from the developed G7 economies towards those who are prospering despite the global financial meltdown and looming recessions we have seen in the West.
It is estimated has been estimated that as early as 2027, that the four BRIC economies could overtake those of the current G7 member economies. Others have argued that it would be closer to 2050 that this complete shift could occur. At any rate, the BRIC countries, currently combined, account for nearly half of the world's population and about a quarter of the world's land area – no mentioning possible natural resources or human capacity for development.
The changes brought about the by the rise of the BRIC economies simultaneously as the world experiences a financial meltdown that has proven more than challenging for the established economies of the West, paves the way for possible changes in the world order – both in terms of economics and politics.
However, there is also current 'talk' that the BRICs have "lost their edge" in terms of economic growth and thereby, political influence – as well as the fact that other the issues come to the fore to challenge their continued economic.
Select a national or global perspective and, using supporting facts and evidence, discuss whether you AGREE or DISAGREE with the sentiment that the BRIC countries have "lost their edge".
Pieces should be between 600 and 900 words, excluding footnotes.
Writing Competition Topic 2:
Social Media
Over the past year, there has been much debate and discussion around the role of the Internet – especially the use of social media like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, in the rise of social movements. These Internet-social media applications have been seen and utilized as means of creating and exchanging "user-created content" that has been linked to recent developments from mass gatherings and protests linked to the "Arab Spring" revolutions to the rise of protests in Western countries like Britain or Greece over economic-related issues – student fees in Britain – austerity measures taken in Greece.
While much has been made of the "positives" of the Internet and Social Media for the masses to communicate what is happening as it happens; or in mobilizing individuals towards a specific cause or issue; it does have another-darker side that is less mentioned in the current dialogue.
What of the issue of security versus release of classified information that the masses ought to know about – who decides what is best? (The Wikileaks affair highlights this). Or the use of the Internet and social media to garner support and followers for organizations -"networks" intent on not making positive changes in the lives of people, but in the interest of seizing power, causing chaos, destruction and fear. Such issues raise the challenge of protection of freedom of expression versus security and protection for the majority over the minority – which is right in the short-term? Long-term? The repercussions in either case??
"Social Media has become synonymous with a mass movement for change in many instances, but what of the positives, negatives and challenges of its use."
Select a national or global perspective and, using supporting facts and evidence, discuss what path respective policymakers should take to address this issue.
Alongside LEADING WORLD EXPERTS in AUTUMN-WINTER 2012 IA-FORUM SPECIAL REPORT
To see of examples of previous reports and winning submissions, see our last Forum issue on China.
Writing competition submissions will judged by IA-Forum Editorial staff and a distinguished panel of judges. Winners and finalists will be considered for publication within IA-Forum's Special Report.
Please read additional contest rules before applying. Use award research tips for links to organizations and books listings that can help start your paper.
Please contact editor@ia-forum.org regarding questions about the award.
Awards are limited to currently enrolled students (at the time of submission). Persons who are employees of, or related to, persons employed by the Center for International Relations Inc. or serving on its Board of Directors, are not eligible for these awards.
The Center of International Relations Corp. will make awards in a fair and unbiased fashion, regardless of race, gender, or ethnicity.
Finalists will be asked to validate enrollment. This can be a high-quality image of a scan of the original letter of enrollment. We reserve the right to request the hard copy.
Note: CIR reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to present or not present an award for any issue based on whether a paper of outstanding quality is deemed to have been submitted. CIR may discontinue the award at any time. By submitting a paper persons understand and agree that they will not make any legal claim based on CIR's offering of this award.
Please send your submission to editor@ia-forum.org.
The deadline for this contest is Sunday, December 30, 2012, midnight EST.
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