SUMMARY
The International Forum for Rural Transport and Development (IFRTD) is calling for entries for the Colin Relf Young Voices Award, which aims to encourage young people from developing countries to express in writing their innovative ideas, perspectives, and approaches to rural transport and sustainable development. The award will be bi-annual with cash prizes available for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place award winners.


The first award question is:
"Rhetoric versus reality – There is a perceived mismatch between the analysis of rural transport problems in developing countries and the implementation of solutions. Discuss and present innovative solutions for bridging this gap."


The award is open to young people (35 years and under) from developing countries. Prize amounts are US$600 (1st), US$200 (2nd), US$200 (3rd); as well as an opportunity to have your writing published by IFRTD. These will be twice yearly awards (June and December). Submissions are welcome in English, French, and Spanish.

The deadline for application is June 30 2008 with a second round in December 2008.

Entries should be sent for the attention of the Award Coordinator by post, fax, or email to the address given below. Please remember to include your full name and contact details with your entry.

Contest Rules

1. One entry per person per award round.
2. Entries should be between 2,000 and 2,500 words – Entries exceeding this limit can be disqualified.
3. Entries can be submitted in English, French or Spanish.
4. One photo illustrative of your entry can be included. Maximum size is 500kb if sent electronically. Anything larger will be deleted.
5. Entries must be received by the Award Coordinator by the deadline date. (first award round).
6. One first prize winner will receive US$600 as a prize, and their entry will be published online.
7. One second prize winner and one third prize winner will receive US$200 each, and their entry will be published online.
8. Non-winning entries may also be published online at the discretion of the IFRTD Secretariat. IFRTD reserves the right to publish all entries received on any of the IFRTD websites. Full credit will be given to the author at all times.
9. Winners will be contacted directly and announcements will be made in the IFRTD e-newsletter and at their website. IFRTD cannot enter into correspondence regarding the selection of winners.
10. Entrants must be 35 years of age or under and from a developing country. IFRTD reserves the right to request proof of date of birth.

Judging and Criteria

Judging will be carried out by a panel of experts engaged with the IFRTD. The judges are looking for entries that:

• Respond well to the question
• Advance current thinking on rural transport
• Focus on rural rather than urban transport
• Address issues of poverty reduction and sustainable development
• Take a practical/implementation-oriented perspective

Click here for more information.