S!NERGY USA 2021

December 29, 2021 6PM EST

PRESENTATION THEME: Bridging the Divide Between Nations and Communities

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: December 19, 2021 11:59 PDT

COMPETITION DETAILS

The 2021 S!NERGY USA presentation competition is being co-hosted by International Association of Youth and Students for Peace USA(IAYSP), the Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles (CARP), and the Unification Theological Seminary (UTS). This national competition is open to students and young adults ages 18-30 living in the United States.

There will be placements and cash grants for 1st through 3rd place.

  • 1st Place $500

  • 2nd Place $300

  • 3rd Place $200

The 1st place winner of this national competition will go on to compete in the Regional Level S!NERGY for North America against Canada’s winner, then the regional winner will go on to compete internationally against the winners of IAYSP’s international regions.

The broad, international competition theme is “Youth Action for Peace and Sustainable Development” with our regionally focussed theme being “Bridging the Divide Between Nations and Communities”.

Our intention in choosing this theme is to support and commemorate efforts toward the peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula, as well as similar initiatives under way in other parts of the world affected by conflict. Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, founder of IAYSP, was born in the Korean Peninsula before it was divided into North and South. She is actively working to unify her homeland, bringing together multitudes of people from all nations and sectors of society. Youth have a key and important role to help bring unity and peace to our nations and communities so we are excited to hear your ideas and/or projects initiated to bring about peace and understanding.

Proposed approaches should focus on conflict transformation between two parties. It can be in response to a current situation such as an active/frozen conflict, or a nation recovering from a past event. Conflicts can be inter or intra-state, have a religious or ethnic nature, and/or involve non-state actors. Approaches should be geared towards what we can do to support reconciliation (activism) or what they can do, i.e., policymakers or citizens in distress (awareness).

EXAMPLE AREAS OF DIVISION

  • North Korea and South Korea

  • Refugee Integration

  • Israel-Palestine Conflict

  • Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Groups

  • Religious/Ethnic Groups within the Same Community

  • Law Enforcement and the General Public

*Research current conflicts and division happening globally or within US communities

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCESS

Competitor Requirements

  • Must live in the United States of America (you do not need to be a citizen)

  • Must be age 18-30

  • Must be a YSP USA Member (Join HERE)

  • Must watch the Peace Perspective recording (Found on the main S!NERGY page or watch HERE)

Video Submission (Deadline December 19, 2021 11:59pm PST)

  • Idea or project must be specific to the theme “Bridging the Divide Between Nations and Communities”

  • Video submission must be a max of 4 minutes

  • Must upload your recording, slides and script through the online submission

Example submission recording (From S!NERGY Japan winner)

Presentation Guidelines

  • Clearly states the issue you are trying to address

  • Clearly states your proposal to address the issue

  • Share a personal connection with the issue and how it affects you and others

  • Supports at least one Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  • Has a clear theme and is related to the theme indicated for the event

  • Keep slides simple and clean

  • Do not use copyrighted images unless you have permission

  • Make sure any facts are accurate

  • Use clear, readable fonts for your slides

  • Strive for a win-win solution

Process

  • After submitting your 4 minute video of your idea or project the submission review committee will evaluate all submissions after the December 19th deadline based on certain criterias. The presenters of the top chosen submissions will be notified on Dec. 22 or 23 and will need to have a 7-10 minute presentation ready to give live online on December 29, 2021. The panel of guest judges’ votes have a 70% weight while the live audience votes have 30%.

Presentations will be judged on:

  • Inspiration (heart, spirit, emotion, energy)

  • Content (importance, urgency, and feasibility)

  • Delivery (quality of slides, voice articulation)

ENTERING THE COMPETITION

The presentation submission form link is found within the member area of this website. To enter the competition and submit your presentation you must either sign into your account and go to the “Member Home” page and scroll down to the “Upcoming S!NERGY” section. If you do not have an account you will need to sign up and become a member with our one time membership fee.