Writing Contest

 
Dear applicants, dear writers, we would like to inform you that the registration deadline for the writing contest has been postponed.
 
If you haven't already done it, you can register until 15 May 2012, sending your personal coordinates and a brief outline of the planned essay to lgbti@npwj.org
 
Please note that the deadline for the final submission (30 June 2012) remains unchanged.
 
We are at your disposal for any other information.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Everyday, throughout the world, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people (LGBTI) suffer severe violence and discrimination - clearly violations of their human rights.
 
At the beginning of this year, UN Secretary General BAN Ki-Moon called on the international community to put an end to discriminatory action against LGBTI communities. His statement was particularly directed at the African countries that increasingly promote discriminatory and xenophobic legislation towards LGBTI people, while putting their integrity and personal security at risk. Although advocacy campaigns and programs aimed at ending discrimination and human rights violations are promoted worldwide, the road to full recognition and international protection of LGBTI communities is still too long.
 
Considering the experience gained over time by NPWJ, whilst carrying out work in the field of democracy in the Middle East and North Africa, and bearing in mind also the profound changes that took place following the uprisings in the Arab world, this seemed like the right time to analyse the way in which LGBTI peoples’ rights have been influenced by the changes actually going on in almost all the countries involved in the events of the Arab Spring/Jasmine Revolution. The issue of LGBTI rights within Arab countries is particularly pressing and delicate and not so frequently considered by the media, due both to political reasons and socio-cultural taboos, and this is why the documentation available is very limited. Starting from the preliminary information found and received, but also considering the difficulties faced in the research of direct and reliable sources regarding this issue, NPWJ has decided to work on this topic and give a direct voice to people truly interested in the possible link between the “Jasmine Revolution” and LGBTI rights.

Within this framework, NPWJ, in cooperation with the radical association Certi Diritti and the Nonviolent Radical Party, Transnational and Transparty (NRPTT) has launched a writing contest on LGBTI rights in the MENA Region and the Arab Spring: “The people demand the end of discrimination”.
 
The contest is open to MENA Region individual activists and associations with an interest in LGBTI rights.
 
Participants are required to write an essay, paper or article addressing whether and how the Arab Spring/Jasmine Revolution has affected LGBTI Rights and/or how LGBTI rights activists have contributed to the democracy movement. In particular, they should be able to underscore whether the Arab Spring has led to any developments, be they positive or negative, in the field of LGBTI rights in their countries.
 
A shortlist of the best contributions will be drawn up by an international jury, which will be composed of civil society members, legal professionals and human rights activists.
 
The best three submissions will be published and promoted by NPWJ and its partners and will receive a monetary prize of 700 USD each. Contributions could be published under a pseudonym if necessary.
 
Deadlines
 
The deadline for registration is Tuesday 15 May 2012 and registration needs to be done by e-mail to lgbti@npwj.org, and should include a brief outline (between 100 and 300 words) of the planned essay, name (individual or organization), age, email, city and country. Only participants registered by 15 May 2012 will be able to take part in the writing contest. The word limit for the final submissions is between 2000 and 3500 words, and the final deadline is 30 June 2012.

 
Participants’ personal information will be kept in the strictest confidence. Although essays can be published under a pseudonym if preferred, No Peace Without Justice requires the real names and addresses of participants in order to transfer funds and comply with copyright requirements.
 
 Download the flyer in English, French, Arabic