NPCA, WPJ launch essay contest

"The Africa Rural Connect program has already spurred a lot of creative thinking about ways in which the international community and others can help rural Africa," said Kevin Quigley, president of the NPCA. "This essay contest will take that same approach in a slightly different direction and we expect to receive a lot of innovative perspectives on this topic."

Judges chosen

The NPCA chose a select panel of judges for the essay contest to include: David Andelman, editor of World Policy Journal; Emmy Simmons, former assistant administrator for the US Agency for International Development and independent consultant, and; Roger Thurow, former foreign correspondent with the Wall Street Journal and senior fellow on global agriculture and food policy with the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. An edited version of the winning essay will be published in the fall issue of World Policy Journal. Runners up will appear on the websites of World Policy Journal and [[www.peacecorpsconnect.org NPCA.

Improving food security

The judging panel will select the top essay suggesting a unique initiative that African governments, private organisations, or individuals in the international community can implement to improve food security in rural Africa. Contest entries must be an 800- to 1,200-word essay in English using Associated Press style. The contest will runs till 31 July 2010 and the winning essay will be announced by 30 August 2010.

"The World Policy Journal regularly features in each issue some of the best thinking from every continent on international issues," said Andelman. "Based on the quality of ideas posted on the Africa Rural Connect website so far, we expect the winner of this contest will fit right in."

To submit entries and for more about the contest, go to www.AfricaRuralConnect.org/EssayContest.