Essay contest: Change the world in 1500 words
Essay contest: change the world in 1500 words and win a year’s supply of Max Havelaar certified Fairtrade coffee or tea and publication of your essay on www.maxhavelaarlecture.org
Write an essay about:
Since the beginning of the 21st century ‘partnerships’ have received increasing attention on the development agenda. Governments and NGOs seek alliances with firms to increase the effectiveness of their development efforts. Partnerships have been pioneered in infrastructure projects, millennium villages, the provision of health services and (micro)credits … the list of announcements is growing. The increasing involvement of firms in development partnerships is particularly noticeable.
But what is the logic of these partnerships and to what extent do they really provide a novel approach to development?
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Change the world in 1500 words
Is it a tool or an aim? What problems are partnerships supposed to solve and how effective are they? Can partnerships also provide an excuse for not doing enough? Is there a discrepancy between the ideals and the reality of partnerships?
Be inspired by the insights of speakers of the Max Havelaar Lecture to give your opinion on what companies should do with regard to partnerships and poverty alleviation.
Read the essay of Reinout Wissenburg, winner of the challenge in 2007
Read the essay of Sandra Genee, winner of the challenge in 2008
The jury will evaluate which essay best addresses the challenge and the persuasiveness of the essay. Innovative and sustainable ideas on partnership strategies are valued highly!
Send your essay to: challenge@maxhavelaar.nl before 5 December 2008,
12.00 PM.