10^th UCLG ASPAC Congress – UCLG ASPAC International Essay Competition for Youth and Journalists

ABOUT THE UCLG ASPAC ESSAY COMPETITION FOR YOUTH AND JOURNALISTS

Our world is facing unprecedented challenges. According to the United Nations (UN), more than half of the global population now resides in urban areas, and by 2050, this number is expected to rise to 68% (UN, 2018)[1]. This rapid urbanization places immense pressure on cities and regions, increasing demands for infrastructure, housing, employment, and resources. Concurrently, cities contribute significantly to global CO2 emissions, which continue to rise as climate change exacerbates the challenges facing urban centers. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), cities account for more than 70% of global energy consumption and CO2 emissions, making them pivotal to both the crisis and its solution (IPCC, 2022)[2], and as a result, are on the frontlines of both the impacts and solutions to this crisis.

Simultaneously, the global economy is shifting, and with it, we are witnessing rising inequality, youth unemployment, and the need for more inclusive and equitable cities. Research from the International Labour Organization (ILO) highlights that global youth unemployment rates are dangerously high, limiting economic mobility and opportunity for younger generations (ILO, 2024)[3]. These realities underscore the urgent need for action, particularly at the local level, where governance can directly affect people’s lives.

As the world faces these challenges, The 10^th UCLG ASPAC Congress offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore how to create self-sufficient, sustainable cities and resilient regions that will thrive in the future. With the theme, “Sustainable Global Self-Sufficient Cities and Regions for the Future,” the congress will not only to just discuss about change—but also to drive it.

In this regard, as part of the 10^th UCLG ASPAC Congress in Goyang Special City, Republic of Korea, an International Essay Competition will be held to promote the event, encourage the thinking of self-reliant and self-sufficient communities, exchange knowledge and insights, while also spark inspiration for future urban solutions.

MAIN THEME

This essay competition is an activity within the 10^th UCLG ASPAC Congress in Goyang Special City, Republic of Korea and adopts the main theme of Sustainable Global Self-sufficient Cities and Regions for the Future.

SUB-TOPICS

Essays will be written under the main theme of Sustainable Global Self-sufficient Cities and Regions for the Future and essayists can choose to elaborate on the 5 sub-topics such as:

1. Job Creation (Explore innovative solutions and strategies for creating sustainable employment opportunities in cities and regions).
2. Youth Leadership (Discuss the role of youth in shaping the future of cities and regions through leadership, activism, and innovation).
3. Energy Self-sufficiency (Examine how cities and regions can achieve energy independence through renewable sources and efficient energy systems).
4. Highlight strategies for making cities and regions more inclusive, accessible, and supportive for families of all types).
5. Urban Growth (Analyze the challenges and opportunities of managing urban growth in a way that promotes sustainability, resilience, and equity).

THE COMPETITION IS OPEN TO 2 (TWO) CATEGORIES OF ESSAYISTS:

1. Youth – from all nationalities aged 15-25.
2. Accredited/professional journalists internationally

AWARDS:

The following awards will be given in the Youth’s category and Journalist’s category respectively:

• A prize of USD 500, USD 300, USD 200 for the first, second, and third winner in the Youth category
• A prize of USD 750, USD 400, USD 250 for the first, second, and third winner in the Journalists category

Winners from the Youth and Journalists category will be invited to the Winners Gathering during the 10^th UCLG ASPAC Congress Meeting to be held online.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. Essays may be submitted by anyone up to 25 years old (as of September 26, 2025) for the Youth Category.
2. There is no minimum age requirement for the Journalists Category. However, only journalists accredited by their Press Card could join the essay competition.
3. Entrants can only choose one of the five themes mentioned above.
4. Essays must be original/originally written by the entrant. Therefore, all sources must be cited and referred to the respective part in the essay as all entries will be tested for plagiarism.
5. Only one essay entry is allowed.
6. Essays must be unpublished.
7. Contents of the essay must adhere to the ‘One China Policy’ (no mention of Taiwan), and most not contain or represent any sensitive political issues.
8. If you have any questions, please refer to the FAQs section.

APPLICATION/SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. Essays must be max. 1000 words in English. Essays must be typed, with your name, institution (such as university, if entrants are still attending university), chosen theme and essay title included at the top of the first page.
2. There are no rules regarding formatting (font style, size, line space, etc.). However, essays must be submitted in either MS Word (DOC/DOCX) or PDF format.
   *Note: Your name and essay title are not included in the word count limit.
3. Your essay entries must be submitted via submission form no later than Friday, 8^th August 2025 at 23:59 PM (Jakarta Time/GMT+7).
4. For journalists submitting their essay, please also attach a file of your Press Card.

RELEVANT DATES:

1. Submissions opens on Wednesday, 7^th May 2025 and closes at 23:59 on Friday, 8^th August 2025, Jakarta time (GMT+7)
2. Entrants are responsible for determining the start and closing time of the competition in their respective time zones.
3. Winners will be announced during the 10^th UCLG ASPAC Congress on 24 – 26 September 2025 and invited to join online.
4. UCLG ASPAC reserves the right to change these dates, and to publish the new dates on the UCLG ASPAC website and/or social media channels.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

By submitting your essay, you give permission to the organiser to publish it in any medium (such as the UCLG ASPAC website). Ownership of the essay remains with the entrant and will be visible.

PRIVACY POLICY

By submitting and participating in this essay competition, the entrant agrees that all personal details provided as part of the submissions process, including name, mailing address and e-mail, will be kept, processed and stored by the UCLG ASPAC team, and may be used for other purposes related to the congress.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Q1 – Are there any exceptions to the age limit for participating in the contest?
A1 – No, you must be 25 years old or younger as of September 26, 2025, which is the last day of 10^th UCLG ASPAC Congress. On the other hand, for Journalists Category there is no minimum age requirement.

Q2 – Is there a fee for participating in this contest?
A2 – No, participation is free of charge.

Q3 – Do I have to be citizens of Asia or Pacific countries to join the contest?
A3 – No, all nationalities can participate from anywhere in the world.

Q4 – My essay is a little over 1000 words. Is it acceptable?
A4 – No, essay must be max. 1000 words to qualify. However, your name and essay title are excluded from the word count.

Q5 – Are my name and essay title included in the word count limit?
A5 – No, the 1000-word count limit is for the body of the essay only.

Q6 – Do I need a cover page for my essay?
A6 – No, a cover page is not required. Please just include your name and essay title at the top of the first page of your essay.

Q7 – Can I give any title to my essay?
A7 – Yes, you can give your essay an original title as long as the content is in line with the theme.

Q8 – Is there a specific format for the essay (font style, size, line space, etc.)?
A8 – There are no particular rules regarding formatting. However, your essay file should be in either MS Word (DOC/DOCX) or PDF format.

Q9 – Is there a specific style for the essay?
A9 – No. Essays may be in any style (thesis or prose, academic or literary), as long as the content is in line with the theme.

Q10 – Can I quote from books or websites? If so, where should I write the reference?
A10 – If you use quotations, please include the reference at the bottom of the essay. The reference should not be included in the word count.

Q11 – Can I add photos, images, or my biography to my essay?
A11 – No. Please send your essay only.

Q12 – Can I submit my essay via postal mail?
A12 – No, we do not accept entries by postal mail. Please submit your essay via submission form

Q13 – Can I submit a hand-written essay?
A13 – No. Please submit a typed essay in either MS Word (DOC/DOCX) or PDF format.

Q14 – Can I submit more than one essay?
A14 – No, only one entry per person is accepted.

Q15 – Can I submit my essay in my native language?
A15 – Essays are accepted in English only.

Q16 – Can we co-write and submit one essay as a team?
A16 – No. The essay must be written by one person. Co-authored essay are not accepted.

Q17 – I did not receive a confirmation email after submitting my essay. How can I make sure that my essay has been successfully submitted and received?
A17 – You will not receive a confirmation email after submitting your essay.

Q18 – Can I obtain a certificate of participation?
A18 – Yes, you can download your certificate of participation from the online registration page after submitting your essay. (Download is available until December 31, 2025.)

CONTACT US

Should you have any questions and/or clarifications, please contact cemara.dinda@uclg-aspac.orgwith e-mail subject: Essay Competition_Questions_[Name]

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About UCLG ASPAC:

UCLG is a world-class association of cities and local governments founded on January 1, 2004, in Barcelona, Spain. UCLG is the only local government recognised by the United Nations. UCLG ASPAC is the regional section of UCLG for the Asia Pacific region. Headquartered in Jakarta, UCLG ASPAC is part of the largest UCLG region with a network of more than 10,000 local governments, representing about 4,5 billion people – more than half of the world’s population- and uniting fast-growing countries, such as the People’s Republic of China, India and Indonesia.

UCLG ASPAC is the key knowledge management hub on local government issues in the Asia-Pacific region. It promotes democratic local government, supports cooperation between cities, local governments, and their associations, and facilitates programmes, networks, and partnerships to develop local governments and associations’ capacity. UCLG ASPAC activities cover decentralised cooperation (cities/local governments to cities/local governments exchange), advocacy, capacity building and training, research and knowledge management, and project development.

www.uclg-aspac.org

About the 10^th UCLG ASPAC Congress:

UCLG ASPAC as the largest regional section of UCLG, its members represent local administrative and political leadership from cities and local governments across Asia-Pacific and have set a high priority on achieving the SDGs by 2030 and have been working with partners all over the world to accelerate its localisation. UCLG ASPAC Secretariat and its members have also been active in strengthening cooperation and building sustainable, resilient, and climate-friendly local governments in the Asia-Pacific region.

The UCLG ASPAC Congress is held in that spirit; a biennial event that brings together mayors, governors, local governments’ officials, and key development actors across the Asia-Pacific countries. The 10^th UCLG ASPAC Congress from 24 to 26 September 2025 in Goyang Special CIty, Republic of Korea, is held under the theme of “Sustainable Global Self-sufficient Cities and Regions for the Future”.

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• [1] United Nations (UN), 2018, World Urbanization Prospects: The 2018 Revision. (https://population.un.org/wup/)
• [2] Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), 2022, Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change. (https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg3/)
• [3] International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024, Global Employment Trends for Youth. (https://www.ilo.org/publications/major-publications/global-employment-trends-youth-2024)