For the second year in a row, the Foundation BNP Paribas Bulgaria has organized an essay-writing competition for high-school students called “The Others beside Me”. The aim of the initiative is to raise awareness for equality among young people and to pay attention to the increasing need for understanding and openness toward all members of society. Special focus is set on promoting equal opportunities for people, regardless of their social status, religious views, disability or sexual orientation.

Here’s how it works: participants are asked to write an essay according to the theme “the others beside me” and submitted before 20 October 2012. Essays can be no longer than 10 000 characters, or 5 standard pages, and can be written in Bulgarian or English. The contest is open to high-school students from schools in Bulgaria, 8th to 12th grade.

The three best essays will be awarded at a special ceremony. The top three essays will be awarded 500 Bulgarian levs (250 €) for 1st place, 300 BGN (150 €) for 2nd place, and 100 BGN (50 €) for 3rd place.

Essays are to be sent as attached files accompanied by a short introduction of the author (name, location, school, grade and contact data) via e-mail: bulgaria_bnpparibas@bnpparibas.com or to the following post address:

2, Tzar Osvoboditel, Blvd., Sofia 1000
Foundation BNP Paribas Bulgaria, “The Others beside Me”

Questions can be sent via e-mail address drugitedomen@abv.bg or via post to the abovementioned address.

Good luck to all our participants!