Michael Manley

The Michael Manley Foundation has announced details of its sixth annual essay competitions, which will climax on December 10, the 84th anniversary of Manley's birth.

The competitions are open to all secondary-level students in Jamaica and all undergraduate tertiary students throughout the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The competing students in each case are asked to discuss a statement by the late former prime minister.

The deadline for the delivery of entries is November 7.

The secondary entrants are invited to comment, in 1,200-1,500 words, on Manley's statement in his third book, The Poverty of Nations: "In countries like Jamaica, women are becoming the best scholars and the most able and dedicated administrators, yet they continue to suffer disadvantages in terms of the law and in economic opportunity."

Equality

The secondary students are vying for a first prize of $50,000, second prize of $25,000 and third prize of $15,000.

The tertiary challenge is in Manley's address to the 27th session of the United Nations General Assembly in October 1972, when he asserted: "The idea of equality is the only enduring principle to which mankind may be guided in the conduct of national and international affairs."

Tertiary students are asked to discuss that statement in 2,000-2,500 words. Prizes, from first to third, respectively, are US$1,000, US$500 and US$250.

The rules of the competitions are available at the Michael Manley Foundation.