The Book Thief: A Review

I finished The Book Thief. But I am not moving on. A book can provoke a thousand different emotions all at once and I like the feeling of being scattered – happy and sad and poor. The Book Thief broke me a hundred times over but, for a million lifetimes, I would want to keep it in my heart, to stay close with the words, and to keep on loving the souls that once lived on Himmel Street.

THE BOOK

Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief sits on a huge space in my heart. As you might have read from my previous post, it stirred something in me and I held onto it. I read it and it did not disappoint. The feeling when I first wanted it stayed. It glowed and burned. I did not have a change of heart.

I don’t really know how I should start describing the book. All I have are feelings. And it doesn’t feel right locking it up into a jar of adjectives. So everything I have to say about The Book Thief, you have already read on top of this piece.

So let’s proceed to the characters. I love Liesel. A strong, brave girl. I like the part when she recalled a quote from one of her stolen books: “My heart is so tired”. In Liesel’s reality, it refers to her heart. Really, a girl her age does not deserve a young, tired heart. But how can she not be? She’s always left behind. Her parents were taken to a concentration camp. Her brother died on a train. Her foster parents were bombed. Her best friend lay dead on the street. And Max, whipped away by German soldiers on a cruel, Jewish parade.

I love Liesel but Hans and Rudy took my heart. Like Death described, they “step on my heart”. That Rudy, the boy with a hair the color of lemon. I like his honesty and innocence. He makes me hope. In many parts, there is tons of sadness in Liesel’s life but I envy her in having Rudy by her side. Always a best friend. Always a lover boy. Always real. Oh how I regretted the kiss that Liesel gave Rudy. A kiss on the lips of a dead boy. And for one last time, I’ll tell you, Rudy is the only character who made my heart ache. Even when the times are happy, I remember him dying. It kills me.

Hans is like a hero. So much of an ideal father. Not to mention he is a lucky man. Not only that he escaped death twice, but everyone loves him too. Except the Nazis, of course. He is called the Jew-lover. At that time while Hitler and his loyal people hate the Jews and the Jew-lovers, Hans is there, playing his accordion, painting the windows black, saving lives with his kindness, giving bread, and being loved.

Then there’s Max, the Jewish fist-fighter. I like Max and his drawings and words. He is brave enough to accept that he is afraid. I always thought it was a love story between Max and Liesel. There’s the age gap but I shooed the thought away. That, until Rudy died. It’s funny though, but I am guessing it’s still Max and Liesel at the end.

Many times, it makes me wonder how Markus does it. He makes all characters lovable that “even death has a heart.” Every one of the characters has left me a piece of their lives. And they felt so real I want to hug each of them. Tight.

The Book Thief is a sad story that requires a big, big heart.

THE AUTHOR

At this point, every one of my friends knows that I am in love with Markus Zusak. But they wouldn’t understand. And I don’t have to explain. I wouldn’t.

I like the familiar humor in the book. I have never been in Germany but I have spent my childhood on the streets. I also played football and I also had those fist-fights.

I like the style. It feels so free. I imagine his hand writing so lucidly and smoothly, ideas coming like running water in the faucet.

Best adjectives. This is why I feel inferior using any adjectives at all. Markus is best at putting words together and painting it clearly on my mind. I see the color of the sky just as the bombs starts to shower. I see the twitching face of Tommy Muller. I see Rudy running round the oval with his coal-covered body. I see everything so clearly. Markus did it so well I just can’t stop reading and loving him.

SOME QUOTES

And it would show me once again that one opportunity leads directly to another, just as risk leads to more risk, life to more life, and death to more death. –Page 90

The only thing worse than a boy who hates you, is a boy who loves you. –Page 53
‘After all, you should know it yourself, a young man is still a boy, and a boy sometimes has the right to be stubborn.’ –Page 235

If your eyes could speak what would they say?

Even Death has a heart. -Page 262

I’m always finding humans at their best and worst. I see their ugly and their beauty, and I wonder how the same thing can be both. –Page 522

The sun stirs the earth. Round and round, it stirs us, like stew. From Page 211 of The Last Human Stranger. –Page 551

A human heart doesn’t have a heart like mine. The human heart is a line, whereas my own is a circle, and I have the endless ability to be in the right place at the right time. –Page 522

Story-telling

This is a re-post of an announcement from the Philippines Daily Inquirer. If you have what it takes to tell a great story, you might shine in this contest.

Can you tell a great story?

The Philippine Daily Inquirer will hold storytelling competitions during the second Inquirer Read-Along Festival on Nov. 26-27 at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center Amphitheater in Quezon City. With the theme, “The Filipino Child and the Stories of the Earth,” the contests will have three categories: For students aged 7-12;  yayas, and adult storytellers, who will all tell stories about biodiversity and the riches of the planet.

Qualified are schoolchildren aged 7-12, yayas aged 18 and above who are currently employed, and adults aged 18 and over with experience in storytelling to children. The contest is open to participants who have never won first place in any storytelling contest.

Those interested may download the rules, list of requirements and application forms athttp://www.inquirer.net/read-along. Forms may be submitted to inqfestival@gmail.com up to Sept. 30.

Schools and other organizations are also invited to send kids to any of the six Read-Along sessions during the two-day festival. For questions, call 8978808 and ask for Odeng (ext 329) or Kate (ext 331).

So there, good luck y'all!

Silliman University's National Writers' Workshop

For the 51st time, the Silliman University will be holding a National Writers Workshop set on April 30 to May 18 , 2012 in the Silliman University Rose Lamb Sobrepeña Writers' Village.

Fifteen fellowships will be offered to promising writers who wish to enhance their writing skills including style.

To get involved in this 19-day writing workshop, you must be able to submit manuscripts in English on or before February 24 of this year. (10 more days before the deadline)

All applications must adhere to the following guidelines: (Failure to do so will automatically eliminate their entries)

Manuscripts should be submitted in hard copy on short-size bond paper, using Times New Roman or Calibri in 12 pt. font type.

Applicants for Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction fellowships should submit three to five entries.

Applicants for Poetry fellowships should submit seven to ten poems.

Applicants for Drama fellowship should submit at least a One-Act Play. For plays beyond the one-act length, a scene accompanied by a synopsis of the entire work should be included.

Each fiction, non-fiction, or drama manuscript should not be more than 50 pages, double spaced. We encourage you to stay well below the 50 pages, since a submission half that length is more than sufficient as a critical gauge.

Manuscripts should be accompanied by at least one letter of recommendation from a literature professor or an established writer.

Together with the manuscripts and recommendation letter, you should also include a resume, a notarized certification that the works are original, and two 2X2 ID pictures.

If considered as an official fellow, you will be provided with a housing, a modest stipend, and a subsidy to partially defray costs of your transportation.

You may send your applications or requests for information to Department of English and Literature, attention Dr. Evelyn F. Mascuñana, Chair, Silliman University, 6200 Dumaguete City. For inquiries, email us at nwworkshop_su@yahoo.com or call 035-422-6002 loc. 350.

So there, let that writing talent come out in you and grow your career through this writing workshop. Goodluck! :) -bp-

World's largest floating book fair to visit Manila

MANILA, Philippines - Following in the footsteps of her predecessor MV Doulos, which has visited Manila seven times since 1988, MV Logos Hope is the newest vessel in the GBA Ships fleet. She carries the world’s largest floating book fair and will soon visit Manila on her maiden voyage around the world. This newer and larger ship features a greater space for visitors and more comfortable browsing in the air conditioned book fair and café area.

The book fair on board Logos Hope offers an expanded selection of over 5,000 books at affordable prices. They cover a range of subjects including science, sports, hobbies, cookery, the arts, medicine, dictionaries, languages, and philosophy. With children’s titles, academic texts, dictionaries, atlases and more, the book fair is something the whole family can enjoy. Additionally, the rest of the Visitor Experience Deck is also open for the public to explore. From the Welcome Area, which introduces the new vessel through a short movie and interactive displays, to the International Café, which has ice cream, drinks and snacks for sale, there is sure to be something for everyone.

MV Logos Hope will open to the public at Pier 15, Berth 4, South Harbor from Feb. 17 until March 13. Opening hours are from 10 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 1 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. on Sundays; the ship will be closed on Mondays. Tickets cost P20; children under 12 are allowed for free, but must be accompanied by an adult.

Logos Hope is operated by GBA Ships e.V., an international, charitable organization registered in Germany. In almost 40 years of service, the organization has welcomed 40 million visitors up the gangways in over 160 countries and territories around the world. The visit of Logos Hope is conducted in partnership with Operation Mobilisation Philippines.

N.B. This is a repost from: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=775748

*****

I am excited for this. Well, not once have I ever been to a floating book fair so how can I not say "WOW" for this? Knowing it's being done by an NGO for a span of 40 years already, I can say this is a good strategy for a charitable organization to promote itself. Let's get involved. See you there fellow booklovers! :) -bp-

2012 PBBY-Alcala Prize

Please know that the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) already opened the 2012 PBBY-Alcala Prize that runs from January 1 to February 24 in celebration of the National Children’s Book.

The contest will be a fun experience for unpublished and yet to be published writers who will showcase their most creative children's stories.

Let the children in you come out and take home P25,000.00, a gold medal and an opportunity to be published.

Entries for this contest must be based on “Anong Gupit Natin Ngayon?”, the 2012 PBBY-Salanga Prize-winning story by Russell Molina. You may ask a copy of it from the PBBY Secretariat or you may upload the PDF version here. :)

Why Alcala Prize? Learn it at http://pbby.org.ph/alcala.html.

Here are the mechanics for the contest:

1) All entries must be original unpublished illustrations that have not won in any previous contest.
2) All entries must consist of three (3) illustrations that are of the same size and medium.
3) A contestant may send in more than one (1) entry.
4) Each entry must be signed by a pen name only, preferably on a small piece of paper pasted on the back of each artwork. Entries with a signature or any identifying marks are automatically disqualified.

Together with each entry, contestants must submit a separate envelope, on the face of which only the pen name of the contestant shall appear. The envelope must contain the contestant’s full name, address, contact numbers, short description of background, and notarized certification vouching for the originality of the entry and for the freedom of the organizers from any liability arising from the infringement of copyright in case of publication.

All entries must be sent to the PBBY Secretariat, c/o Adarna House, 109 Scout Fernandez cor. Scout Torillo Sts.,Quezon City by February 24, 2012.

Winners will be announced on or efore March 30, 2012. Awarding will commence during the actual celebration of NationalChildren's Book Day on July 17 this year. Non-winning entries must be claimed no later than May 31, 2012, after which they will no longer be the responsibility of the organizers.

For more details, contact PBBY through 3526765 local 203 or emailing pbby@adarna.com.ph.

2011 National PEN conference

Something big is going on right now at the Silangan Hall in the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Pasay City, Metro Manila.

The Philippine Center of International PEN (Poets, Playwrights, Essayists, and Novelists), in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, presents the 2011 National PEN conference with the theme “Archipelagic Feasts, Tropical Disasters: the Literature of Survival” on December 1-2, 2011 (Thursday-Friday), 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

This is the first time that I heard about this. But tell me, it’s quite interesting, don’t you think? Not to mention that this is open to the public which means attendees won’t have to pay for anything. Who in the world will say no to that? (ehem, sadly, I just did. I heard this late and I regret that I just knew it now.)

Anyway, I feel there will always be next time for this kind of thing.

A lot of big names in the field of Filipino literature are in this event including Rony Diaz who rendered the keynote speech on the first day.

My friend Wikipedia told me that Rony V. Diaz is an award-winning Filipino writer. He has won several Palanca Awards. He joined the paper in 2001 as an executive director. He eventually became publisher and president of the Manila Times School of Journalism. He has taught English at U.P. Diliman and has worked for the Philippine government as a foreign service corps.

So there, he’s another big name to add to my yet-to-know list among Filipino writers.

The second day, on the other hand, highlights Madam Carmen Guerrero-Nakpil’s The Jose Rizal Lecture.

Here’s the sessions (please take note of the writers/speakers too):

Apocalyptic Literature: Disaster and Imagination—Jun Cruz Reyes (chair), Antonio Enriquez, Gilda Cordero-Fernando, John Iremil Teodoro (panelists);

Landscape and Personal Poetics—Nicolas Pichay (chair), Marne Kilates, Dinah Roma-Sianturi, Marra Lanot, Joel Toledo;

Surviving Calamities: History and Preservation—Malou Jacob (chair), Rosario Cruz-Lucero, Victor Peñaranda, Luna Sicat-Cleto;

Ecology in the Writings from the Regions—Juliet Mallari (chair), Abdon Balde Jr., Glenn Sevilla Mas, Susan Evangelista, Frank Peñones;

Literature in Distress and Popular Media—Ramón Sunico (chair), Charlie Veric, Rolando Tolentino, Gary Devilles;

Feasts and Famine—Carla Pacis (chair), Ricardo Soler, Merlie Alunan, Alma Anonas-Carpio, Yvette Tan.

Convenors for this event are National Artist and PEN chair Bienvenido Lumbera, National Artist and PEN founder F. Sionil José, Ronald Baytan, José Victor Torres, Karina Bolasco, Jun Cruz Reyes, Hermie Beltran, Susie Tan, Marjorie Evasco, Shirley Lua, José Wendell Capili and Lito Zulueta.

First 'Libros Festival' on the go!

I’m really very much excited for the train of events for this year’s book month. If you notice my previous posts, I have been blogging about many events. The National Book Development Board (NBDB) has sponsored a lot of activities along with the Ayala Foundation’s Filipinas Heritage Library.

Now to update the whole thing, there will be a ‘Libros Festival’ on November 24 starting at 10am until November 26.

According to NBDB, the festival will be ‘a showcase of books, arts and performances’ to be witnessed at the Filipinas Heritage Library in Makati City.

As a fan of the literary world, I am confident that this will be a lot of fun. So for your eyes, here’s the line-up of events:

November 24, 2011 (Thursday)
10:30am Libros Festival Opening: Storytelling
2:00pm-4:00pm Writing for the Young Adult Reader (by Anvil Publishing)
5:00pm-7:00pm How To Write A Book by Dr. Isagani Cruz (Free admission)
6:00pm-9:00pm Advance Travel Writing by Kristine Fonacier ((Session 1 of 4) - P3,500 per head

November 25, 2011 (Friday)
2:00pm-4:00pm The Importance of Reading by Prof. Portia Padilla (Free admission)
6:00pm Concert by Noel Cabangon and Manila Chamber Orchestra Foundation (P250 per head)

November 26, 2011 (Saturday)
10:00am-12:00pm Storytelling and Arts and Crafts Workshops by Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Free admission)
2:00pm-5:00pm Young Adult Book Launching (Anvil publishing)
2:00pm-5:00pm Advanced Travel Writing by Kristine Fonacier (Session 2 of 4)

I would like to share that I have already reserved a seat for Isagani Cruz’s writing workshop and I am super excited for that day. Can you hear it? That’s my heart! Yay! See you there, ayt?

OMG! I am in love with this book month!

The Great Philippine Book Café

Now is the start of the three-day program for 2011 Manila International Literary Festival. Get to know many renowned writers and gain deeper knowledge on writing a book and turning it into a published output.

The event will be held at the Ayala Museum from today until the 18th of this month. This year's celebration is called 'The Great Philippine Book Café'. Come on, this is a treat!

This event kicked off in 2010 and from then it gained wide support from writers of different genres, poetry to prose. In a nutshell, I would say the program caters for all published writers and aspiring writers and also to those who believe in the power of their pens.

By the way, this big literary affair is spearheaded by the National Book Development Board (NBDB) for the celebration of the National Book Week for the month of November.

Here is the complete festival program.

So you see? Exciting, eh?

My final say? Don’t be afraid to explore on your abilities. As what George Orwell said, “There is no test of literary merit except survival, which is itself an index to majority opinion.”

November is for books

Hey, I found this one. :) This is published on the Philippine Star under Isagani Cruz's column, MINI CRITIQUE, updated last November 10, 2011.

It all started in 1934, when Governor General Frank Murphy issued Proclamation 696, designating June 18 to 24 of every year as National Book Week. Murphy said that “the arousing of a national interest in the reading of good books is a patriotic duty and privilege.” Murphy chose June because “the time designated includes the birthday of Dr. Jose Rizal, one of the foremost men of letters of this country.”

In 1936 President Manuel L. Quezon issued Proclamation 109, moving National Book Week to November 24 to 30. Quezon echoed Murphy, saying that “it is desirable that the task of arousing a wider spread interest in the reading of good books be recognized as a highly patriotic duty as well as a privilege.” Quezon added that “the reading of good books on the printed page is one of the most effective methods of bringing enlightenment within the reach of the largest possible number of people, and of promoting the cause of popular culture with its tremendous social benefits.”

In 1999 President Joseph Estrada issued Proclamation 120, declaring the whole month of June as Philippine Book Development Month. Estrada preferred Murphy to Quezon.

In 2007 President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued Proclamation 1436, “re-setting the celebration of the Philippine Book Development Month from June to November of every year starting 2008.” Arroyo cited Quezon’s proclamation as one of the reasons for moving the month.

Late last year, Representatives Jorge B. Banal Jr. and Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas filed House Bill 3877, “An Act Declaring Every 27th Day of November as Araw ng Pagbasa, a Regular Working Holiday.”

This year, the Commission on Higher Education issued a Memorandum and the Department of Education issued an Advisory, enjoining schools to participate in the 15th Philippine Book Development Month, spearheaded by the National Book Development Board (NBDB).

There are many activities scheduled for this month.

For example, on Nov. 14, the Book Talk Society of the Philippines will hold the 2nd National Seminar-Workshop on “Developing a Culture of Book Talk: Awareness, Consciousness, and Involvement” at the National Library.

On Nov. 16-18, the Philippine Librarians Association, Inc. (PLAI), and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts National Committee on Library and Information Services (NCCA-NCLIS) will hold a national conference on “Aklatan para sa Kaunlaran (Libraries for Progress)” at Hotel Elizabeth in Baguio City.

Since I am now with the NBDB, allow me to mention the activities that we are sponsoring this month, with the theme “The Great Philippine Book Café.”

On Nov. 12, NBDB and the Manila Critics Circle will announce the winners of the National Book Awards. The awarding ceremonies will be held at the National Museum.

On Nov. 16-18, NBDB will hold the “2nd Manila International Festival” at the Ayala Museum. Scheduled to speak are numerous authors, literary agents, and publishers.

Here are some of the sessions in the festival: Writing from the Margins; In Search of the Great Philippine Novel; From Pen to Print - And Everything In Between; World Book Market vs. World Readership; From Pen to Print: What an Editor Does; Talk to the Litcritters; The Philippine Writing and Publishing Landscape; When Literature Offends; The Stranger Experience; Writing the Woman Reader; Of Power and Emotions: Writing for Young Adults; Crime, Horror, and Suspense; Writing the Memoir; Philippine Children’s Literature for the World; Of Folklores, Myths and Legends; Writing the Real; How to be a Bestseller; The Many Forms of the Novel; Mentoring the Writer; Writing in the Regional Language; Writing about War and Conflict; From Print to Silver Screen; The Many Poetic Forms; So You Got Yourself Published, Now What?; How to Get the Young to Read; Beyond the Page; Fiction Writing: The Basics; Non-Fiction Writing: The Basics; What’s So Funny?

On Nov. 24, NBDB and Central Books will sponsor a “Workshop on How To Write A Book” at the Filipinas Heritage Library in Makati. The workshop starts at 5 p.m. and ends at 7 p.m. The workshop is only for those who have never published a book. There is no entrance fee.

On Nov. 24-25, NBDB will hold the “2nd Philippine Digital Publishing Conference” at the Bahay ng Alumni in the University of the Philippines in Diliman.

On Nov. 24-26, NBDB will sponsor the “Libros Festival” at the Filipinas Heritage Library, featuring not just books, but also arts and performances.

There are three ways to celebrate books this month. One is to attend some of the activities scheduled by various organizations and agencies. Another is to buy or borrow two or three books and read them. The third is to write a book.

If you think writing a book is hard, look up “nanowrimo” on the Web. It’s National Novel Writing Month all over the world this month. Thousands of people started writing a novel last Nov. 1. Most of them will finish their novels by the end of this month. Many will even submit their novels to publishers. At least one has been an enormous success: Criselda Yabes’s novel “Below the Crying Mountain,” which she wrote during one of the previous National Novel Writing Months, was longlisted for the Man Asian Literary Prize last year.

Read a book this month, and continue reading a book every month from now on. You owe it to yourself.

Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=746375&publicationSubCategoryId=442

My Favorite Book Contest 2011

To read a book that is incredibly good (define good for youself, hehe) is something worth bragging about. Sometimes you just can’t keep your tongue from promoting it to your friends or from stereotyping the characters or saying “OMG, this book changed me!” Okay, honestly, those are me (laughs). A lot of books made me experienced a lot of feelings. I bursted into tears, felt in love, got excited, laughed really loud, etcetera. Do you have that kind of book in your shelf? Well, just about you want the world to know, here’s your chance now!

The National Book Store, The Philippine STAR and Globe opened a contest for book worms and book lovers dubbed as “My Favorite Book Contest”. Aside from the prize (which I’ll tell you later), winners will get the chance to read their piece in the Sunday Lifestyle section of the Philippine Star.

This essay writing contest invites you to write about the book that made lifetime changes in your life. It may be your favorite book or may come from your favorite author. Both fictions and non-fiction books are okay.

The only rule for this is for you to answer the question: Why has that book touched your life? (Maybe we can add, how?)

Here’s the contest mechanics: Submit a printout of your unpublished essay, typed, double-spaced and not more than five pages long (1,100 words) and a CD containing the word file. Write your name, age, address, contact numbers and two paragraphs of background information. Also include a print of a passport-sized photo or in jpeg format (not inserted in a document file). Mark your CD and picture as we get many entries. Writers who do not comply with these rules will not have their entries considered.

As far as I can remember, I read this last September 2011 and will run until December this year. So the weekly prize will be P5,000 worth of gift certificates from National Book Store. From my source, the grand prizes are P50,000 for the first prize, P30,000 for second prize and P20,000 for third prize (all prizes will be distributed in 50-percent cash and 50-percent gift certificates). Five honorable mention winners will receive P10,000 each — P5,000 worth of GCs from NBS, plus P5,000 cash from The Philippine STAR. Globe will also be giving away Globe Handyphones to the eight grand-prize winners.

Anyone can join except employees of NBS, STAR and Globe and their advertising and PR agencies.

You can send your entries online to myfavoritebook2009@yahoo.com; unpublished entries sent last year to myfavoritebook2008@yahoo.com and mailed to the STAR offices may still be considered. For snail mail, send to: If My Life Were a Book Contest, Lifestyle Section, The Philippine STAR, 13th corner Railroad Sts., Port Area, Manila.

Weekly winners may claim their prizes by calling up National Book Store marketing services department at 631-8079 or 631-8061 to 66 loc. 172.

CIPE's Youth Essay Contest 2011

The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) launches yearly essay contest that invites young minds to become involved in strengthening the youth's commitment to democracy and private sector's role towards development. Come on, share your ideas, join and win.

CIPE strengthens democracy around the globe through private enterprise and market-oriented reform. CIPE is one of the four core institutes of the National Endowment for Democracy. Since 1983, CIPE has worked with business leaders, policymakers, and journalists to build the civic institutions vital to a democratic society. Here for more information about CIPE.

Here are the mechanics (according to the official website of CIPE):

Who can participate:
Students and young professionals aged 18-30.

Length and language

2,000-3,000 words. All essays must be in English.

For winners:
For each category, first, second, and third place authors will receive a $1,000 honorarium, and CIPE will publish 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place essays.

Deadline:
November 14, 2011

Categories:

Democratic transitions:
Young people and the technology they used to share knowledge and coordinate action were at the core of movements for democracy in Tunisia and Egypt earlier this year. Meanwhile outside of the Middle East, in Southern Sudan, Nepal, and other countries, young people also have opportunities to help power new democracies.

How can youth play a significant role in newly-formed or emerging democracies? Do existing broad-based civil society groups or parties provide youth with opportunities to participate? How might youth in your country form their own groups and voice their concerns and needs as future leaders?


Economically-sustainable development:
One of the challenges facing democratic and economic development is making progress economically self-sustaining. Policies and practices that address the sources, not the symptoms, of underdevelopment ensure that momentum builds over time. For development programs to be sustainable on their own, they must have financial and political commitment from local stakeholders.

How can youth take ownership of the most pressing development issues and solutions in your country? What can the next generation do to build democratic and economic development that is self-sustainable for the long run? What can be done to make sure progress is locally-driven, effective, and not dependent on foreign aid?

Corruption:
Corruption undermines a fair and open business environment that can provide jobs, opportunities, and tax revenues for a healthy democracy. Often corruption occurs at multiple levels of society, thus making it difficult for businesses and policymakers to curtail it. Without reforming practices and incentives at the root of this problem, corruption hurts business and weakens confidence in political leaders.

How does corruption influence the way business is done in your country? How do nepotism, cronyism, and/or bribery make doing business difficult or more costly? What are some innovative, new initiatives that the next generation should take to address corruption (e.g.: are there ways to change the incentive structure to discourage such behavior)?

You still have 13 days before the deadline. click here for a quick link to submit your entry.