As a young citizen, what new proposals would you offer for tackling the drug problem in the Americas?
The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States and the Government of Guatemala launch "The Voice of the Youth of the Americas" contest to invite the youth from OAS member states to propose concrete proposals and new approaches to the global drug problem. The deadline to register for the contest was extended until July 30, 2014.
According to the Heads of State of the region, a valuable dialogue began on the drug problem during the 6th Summit of the Americas in Cartagena, Columbia. Heads of states identified the need to analyze the results of current policies in the Americas and explore new approaches to strengthen and make more effective those policies. The drug issue has become a topic of high relevance as the use and abuse of these substances may represent a threat to health, may produce accidents, promote insecurity and develop drug addictions.
Spirit and purpose behind the project
The Government of Guatemala and the OAS General Secretariat are inviting civic-minded young people to join this endeavor by invoking their right to have their say and to be taken into account in the decision-making process. Young people need to be involved in solving problems in the collective public interest, and the objective through this competition is to encourage proactive contributions and creative ideas in the quest to find new approaches to the global drug problem. This is an open opportunity to come up with creative ideas in that direction.
Who is eligible and how to submit?
- Young people of the Americas, between 18 and 30 years of age, who are citizens of OAS member states
- Submissions must be sent by email to civilsociety@oas.org, in the English or Spanish languages
Awards
The first 3 places will travel to Guatemala in the framework of the Special Session of the general Assembly of the OAS, in September 2014, will all expenses covered, and will have a dialogue with H.E. Otto Perez Molina, President of Guatemala, Roxana Baldetti, Vice-President of Guatemala and Jose Miguel Insulza, OAS Secretary General, about the proposals to solve the drug problem in the Americas.
The best 10 proposals will be published on the websites of the OAS and the sponsoring institutions.
- Download registration form
- Download contest rules
- For additional information, please contact: civilsociety@oas.org
