Castan Centre Writing for Human Rights Essay Competition

If you are a Victorian year 10, 11 or 12 student, this competition gives you the chance to write about important, topical human rights issues. The competition is staged annually by the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law, based at Monash University, and is proudly supported by the Victoria Law Foundation.

2010 Writing for Human Rights essay topic

"Criminals don't deserve the same human rights as everyone else"

Should convicted paedophiles be allowed to live near schools? Should criminals be allowed to vote while in prision? Do criminals deserve to fulfil their right to education while serving time? Some human rights, such as freedom of association and movement, are already denied to criminals serving prison terms (and sometimes afterwards as well), but should there be more limitations? Just what human rights do criminals deserve?

2010 Information Kit

For everything you need to know about the essay topic, download your copy of the 2010 Writing for Human Rights information kit here.

Submission process and deadline

Essays must be submitted, with a signed official application form, by 5pm on Monday 22 March 2010 and sent to:

castan.centre@law.monash.edu.au
or
Human Rights Essay Competition
Castan Centre for Human Rights Law
Building 12
Monash University, Vic 3800

Official application form

Download your copy of the official application form here.

Essay guidelines

Students must meet the following guidelines to be eligible for the competition:

• Essays must be written by a single year 10, 11, or 12 school student.
• Essays must be between 750 and 1000 words.
• Essays must be typed with a font no less than 10pt.
• Essays must be double spaced.
• Essays must be the original work of the submitting student.
• Only one essay may be submitted per student.
• If using or citing sources such as books, journals, newspapers and websites, essays should be correctly referenced.
• Applications must include the full name of a nominating teacher from your school.

Prizes and judging

Short-listed essays will be assessed by a panel of judges from the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law.

Individual Awards

• 1st Prize: $1200
• 2nd Prize: $800
• 3rd Prize: $400
• Certificates of Commendation will also be awarded to a small number of students who contribute outstanding submissions.

The winning essay will be published in Inscape, the annual publication of VCE literature and art.

Schools award

• Castan Centre for Human Rights Law School of Excellence: $2000

The winning school will be determined based on number and quality of submissions received.

Award Ceremony and the Great Law Week Debate

Winners, their families and nominated teachers will be invited to attend the Great Law Week Debate held on 19 May 2010 which canvasses the same topic as the essay competition. Prizes will be presented at the conclusion of the debate and winners and their guests will be invited to a VIP cocktail function after the event.

The Great Law Week Debate is part of Law Week each year. The two debating teams will consist of high profile members of the Monash Law alumni.

Teacher Curriculum Mapping Guide

We have created a curriculum mapping guide to assist VCE Legal Studies, History, and International Politics, and VELS level 6, teachers integrate the Essay Competition into their curriculum.  The guide will be available shortly.

Castan Centre for Human Rights Law

The Castan Centre for Human Rights Law, based in the law faculty at Monash University, is the pre-eminent human rights teaching and research centre in the Asia Pacific. The centre is a non-partisan, non-profit organisation committed to the protection and promotion of human rights throughout the world. The centre uses research and public education to develop innovative approaches for understanding and implementing human rights law.

The centre is named after Ron Castan AM QC (1939-1999), who was a passionate advocate for the recognition and protection of human rights and a distinguished member of the Victorian Bar. The centre is the coordinator of this event and is committed to the development of human rights education.

Victoria Law Foundation

Victoria Law Foundation is an independent, community benefit organisation making law accessible. Each year it awards cash grants and in-kind support for innovative projects.

This competition has been supported with a General Grant from the Victoria Law Foundation – www.victorialaw.org.au

Previous Essay Competition Winners

2009 Essay Competition
2007 Essay Competition
2006 Essay Competition