In collaboration with the UN Academic Impact (UNAI) initiative, the “Many Language, One World- Essay Competition” aims to support multilingualism among university-aged students studying Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

Contestants must write a 2,000 word essay in one of the six official languages of the UN

“The role of the UN is the role of every global citizen, which is to make peace and to look at ways to enhance the qualities of life, health, and spiritual fulfillment of peoples around the world through common understanding and through language,” said Mark Harris, CEO and President of ELS.

The competition is open to students 18 years or older currently enrolled in a full-time programme of study at Academic Impact member institutions. Contestants must write a 2,000 word essay in one of the official languages that is not their native language.

The essay should should explore how multilingual ability advances global citizenship and outline a programme of action to support the principles of the United Nations Academic Impact including human rights, education opportunity for all people, peace and conflict resolution through education and addressing issues of poverty through education.

ELS will award the 60 winners – 10 from each language group– with a five-day all expenses paid trip to New York for the 2014 UN Academic Impact Youth Forum  to discuss global citizenship and nine other principles of the UNAI.

“Through this event, we hope to focus a light on the role of the UN,” added Harris.