The First Freedom Student Competition is underway for this school year. This national essay and video contest offers 9th - 12th grade students an opportunity to compete for $2,500 awards as they examine the history and implementation of freedom of religion and conscience in American democracy and the world today. Students then present their evaluation in written essay or video format.
This school year, the First Freedom Student Competition goes global, as the topic asks students to address international religious freedom. Students will be introduced to Article 18 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Eleanor Roosevelt, and the place of religious liberty in U.S. history and U.S. foreign policy. Their task will challenge their analytic skills and require them to assess current-day events in terms of international human rights and history. (Model UN sponsors may find this topic of particular interest, as well.)
For the topic, guidelines, registration, classroom poster, student flyer and other details, visit www.firstfreedom.org, and then click on the red First Freedom Student Competition button (center column).
Also included on the website is a resource manual and 15-minute online video about international religious freedom (green button). The video features students and seasoned experts. It may be viewed in the classroom as a class activity or on a school or home computer for personal student or teacher study.
Student online registration is required on or before Monday, November 18, 2013, and the postmark entry deadline for mailing the essay or video entry with its accompanying entry materials is Monday, November 25. Winners will beannounced on Thomas Jefferson’s birthday, April 13, 2014.