The Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest is an annual competition designed to challenge college students to analyze the urgent ethical issues confronting them in today's complex world. Students are encouraged to write thought-provoking personal essays that raise questions, single out issues and are rational arguments for ethical action.
This year's Suggested Topics are as follows:
- What does your own experience tell you about the relationship between politics and ethics and, in particular, what could be done to make politics more ethical?
- Articulate with clarity an ethical issue you have encountered and analyze what it has taught you about ethics and yourself.
- Carefully examine the ethical aspects or implications of a major literary work, a film or a significant piece of art.
- Clearly analyze the relationship between religion and ethics in today's world.
- How does a recent political or cultural event shed light on the ethics of rebellion/revolution?
Full-time undergraduate juniors and seniors at accredited four-year colleges and universities in the US are welcome to enter the Essay Contest.
All submissions to the essay contest are judged anonymously. A distinguished committee reviews the essays and a jury that includes Elie Wiesel chooses the winners. Please note that no manuscripts will be returned and essays may not be submitted elsewhere until the awards have been announced. Winning essays become the property of The Elie Wiesel Foundation and may not be reproduced elsewhere without written permission.
Printed materials are sent to previous faculty sponsors, college deans and department chairs every September. If you would like to be added to mailing list please visit the Contact Us section of the website.
For additional information, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions section of the site.
The annual Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest is made possible through the generosity of Dov Seidman and LRN. LRN is the exclusive corporate partner of The Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics.
