Filipino Student Tops International Essay Contest
Mr. Dan Erwin Cruz Bagaporo visited the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo after being awarded 1st prize in the youth category of the Goi Peace Foundation and UNESCO sponsored International Essay Contest for Young People.
Twenty-year old Dan Erwin Cruz Bagaporo, a senior Nursing student of the University of Sto. Tomas, won the top prize in the youth category of the Goi Peace Foundation and UNESCO-sponsored International Essay Contest for Young People at awarding ceremonies held on 19 November 2011 in Tokyo.
Bagaporo was given the Ministry of Education award as the top prize. The contest, with the theme “My Story of Inspiration” which attracted almost 7,000 entries from 140 countries in the children and youth categories, was co-sponsored by the Goi Peace Foundation and UNESCO to motivate young people to play a leading role in fostering a culture of peace and sustainable development.
In his winning essay titled “Pride in Profession”, Bagaporo cites how his volunteer experience in a retirement home in the Philippines helped instill his pride as a nursing student, reinvigorate him in becoming more active in the Red Cross and medical missions, and kindle his interest in research and geriatrics after graduation, among other things. His prize-winning essay may be accessed at:
http://www.goipeace.or.jp/english/activities/programs/2011/winners/winner02.html
Bagaporo’s victory marked the second time that a Filipino won the youth category of the international essay contest. Ms. Anna Rose Elicaño won in 2007 with her essay titled “Amplifying Peace Across Borders.”
Started in 2000, the International Essay Contest for Young People is one of the peace education programs organized by the Goi Peace Foundation and endorsed by the Ministry Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan, the Japanese National UNESCO Commission, NHK (Japan Broadcast Corporation), Nikkei Inc., and the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education.
The Goi Peace Foundation was established in Tokyo in 1999 with the approval of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan. While cooperating closely with the World Peace Prayer Society through shared projects and networks, the Foundation pursues activities based on the vision and principles expressed in its Declaration for All Life on Earth, which was launched in 2000–the International Year for the Culture of Peace.
In recognition of its international peace building efforts, the Foundation was granted Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations in 2004. It was also admitted to official-relationship status with UNESCO in 2006.
