1st Annual Writing Contest

The Council for Trade and Economic Cooperation (USA-CIS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating economic ties between Russia and the United States.  The city of St. Petersburg has recently opened a Business Information Center in the CTEC New York offices, and to celebrate this new initiative, CTEC is sponsoring a writing contest for undergraduates and graduate students in the New York area.

Each writing submission should be between 800-1000 words and should focus on business developments in St. Petersburg, Russia.  Examples of possible topics include:

1. Evolution of high-tech industries in St. Petersburg;

2. How tourism drives urban development projects using St. Petersburg as an example;

3. Involvement of international financiers in infrastructure developments in St. Petersburg.

Authors of winning articles will be showcased on the CTEC website, published in the organization’s monthly Business Review, and receive cash prizes of up to $100 dollars for 1st place!

Deadline:

April 1, 2007. The winner will be announced by April 25, 2007.

For More Information:

Contact the Council for Trade and Economic Cooperation (USA-CIS) at 445 Park Avenue, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10022; Tel: 212-829-5724; Fax: 917 322-2105;

or e-mail: olutsenko@ctec.ru

Eligibility:

The contest is open to all students enrolled in any United States undergraduate or graduate program. The contest is also open to students who have graduated from a U.S. school within the last year. Essays must be original; they may have been submitted for course credit, but they must not have been written as part of paid employment.

Format:

Essays must present complete, well-reasoned and well-supported arguments in no more than 1000 words.  Entries longer than 1000 words will not be eligible for prizes. Op-eds are welcome so long as they are well-researched and fact based. Entries must be submitted electronically in Microsoft Word or WordPerfect format.

To Enter:         

Submit entries electronically to olutsenko@ctec.ru with the subject heading, “2007 Writing Contest.” Entries must be received via e-mail no later than midnight, April 1, 2007. Include with your entry a cover letter stating your name, phone number, name of school, year of graduation, and a brief 3-5 sentence biography. Violations of the contest rules may result in disqualification.