Undergraduate and Young Professional Essay Contest

The essay contest elicited a large number of strong submissions from undergraduates and young professionals alike. The Committee enjoyed reading the submissions and extends its congratulations to the following winners:

First place winners

Winners receive a $200 prize, $400 reimbursement for travel to the Africa’s Turn Conference, and their essays published by Fair Observer. 

Read the winning entries below, and the introduction by Senior Associate Dean Bhaskar Chakravorti.

Amy Calfas  Tufts University, Class of 2013 Amy Calfas is an International Relations student at Tufts University specializing in human security issues and conflict management in sub-Saharan Africa.		Read her winning entry: Africa's Turn
Charlie Warren Research Associate, Council on Foreign Relations Charlie Warren is a research associate at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). He focuses on energy issues and specializes in African politics. Charlie’s work and internship experience include the CFR’s Africa Program, the risk consultancy Ergo, and the National Democratic Institute in Nairobi. In addition to extensive travel in East Africa, Charlie's written work has appeared in the Royal African Society's African Arguments and ISN's Security Watch. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Bowdoin College and speaks Swahili.		Read his winning entry: "Africa" No More. Why It's Time to Change the Conversation

Second place winners

Winners receive a $100 prize.

• Deqa Farah, University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2015
• Jay Shah, University of Warwick, Class of 2014

Honorable mentions

• Claudia Meggan Agulhas, South Africa
• Nelson Amo, Ghana
• Philip Cofone, United States
• Upoma Dutta , Bangladesh
• Shrey Goyal, India
• Ian Houts, United States
• Madelle Kangha Mbong, Cameroon
• Rahim Mawji, United States

The Future of Africa Essay Contest Guidelines