Castan Centre Writing for Human Rights Essay Competition

If you are a VCE student, this competition gives you the chance to write about important, topical human rights issues. The competition is staged annually by the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law, based at Monash University, and is proudly supported by the Victoria Law Foundation. The 2009 competition is now complete. Keep an eye on this website for details of the 2010 competition.

Previous Essay Competition Winners

2009 Essay Competition
2007 Essay Competition
2006 Essay Competition

Prizes and judging

Short-listed essays will be assessed by a panel of judges from the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law.

Individual Awards

• 1st Prize: $1200
• 2nd Prize: $800
• 3rd Prize: $400
• Certificates of Commendation will also be awarded to a small number of students who contribute outstanding submissions.

The winning essay will be published in Inscape, the annual publication of VCE literature and art.

Schools award

• Castan Centre for Human Rights Law School of Excellence: $2000

The winning school will be determined based on number and quality of submissions received.

Award Ceremony and the Great Law Week Debate

Winners, their families and nominated teachers will be invited to attend the Great Law Week Debate held in May each year which canvasses the same topic as the essay competition. Prizes will be presented at the conclusion of the debate and winners and their guests will be invited to a VIP cocktail function after the event.

The Great Law Week Debate is part of Law Week each year. The two debating teams will consist of high profile members of the Monash Law alumni.

Castan Centre for Human Rights Law

The Castan Centre for Human Rights Law, based in the law faculty at Monash University, is the pre-eminent human rights teaching and research centre in the Asia Pacific. The centre is a non-partisan, non-profit organisation committed to the protection and promotion of human rights throughout the world. The centre uses research and public education to develop innovative approaches for understanding and implementing human rights law.

The centre is named after Ron Castan AM QC (1939-1999), who was a passionate advocate for the recognition and protection of human rights and a distinguished member of the Victorian Bar. The centre is the coordinator of this event and is committed to the development of human rights education.

Victoria Law Foundation

Victoria Law Foundation is an independent, community benefit organisation making law accessible. Each year it awards cash grants and in-kind support for innovative projects.

This competition has been supported with a General Grant from the Victoria Law Foundation – www.victorialaw.org.au