The Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN), an initiative sponsored by USAID through its JA-STYLE Project, announces an Essay Competition for the YUTE X - Youth Advocacy Conference. Young persons from the ages of 10 to 15 are invited to submit their essays by Friday, April 18, 2008.

Essays will be judged on their originality, content, clarity, grammar and should focus on one of the following topics: Sex Education in Jamaica : Is it enough?; The Youth Voice is Silent in Our Society; Is Youth Advocacy in Need of a Rebirth in the 21st Century?; or, Our Youth Leaders: Are They Making a Difference?

All essays must be original and written in English. Joint entries are not permitted. The chosen topic should be indicated on the first page and the essay should not be more than 300 words. Contestants should complete an information sheet and include it with their submissions. The information sheet is found at www.jamaicayouthadvocacynetwork.com.

Essays should be submitted by Friday, April 18, 2008 to JA-STYLE at the Ministry of Health at 2-4 Kings Street , Kingston , or via e-mail at youthadvocacyconference@gmail.com. Further information can be obtained by visiting the JYAN website at www.jamaicayouthadvocacynetwork.org or by calling Sasha Small at 948-2149-51.

The YUTE X - Youth Advocacy Conference will be held at the Knutsford Court Hotel from Wednesday, May 7 to Friday, May 9, and wraps up at Emancipation Park on Saturday, May 10, with an expo to be held in association with the Education Transformation Team.

The conference is aimed at raising young people’s awareness of various issues such as adolescent reproductive health, substance abuse, violence, youth with disabilities, as well as the state of advocacy in Jamaica and the Caribbean region.