[Aibec-l] opportunity from Financial Times (for ambitious!)

[AIBEc]

 Dear AIBEcers, 

 Here is an announcement about an annual international essay competition held by The World bank and The Financial Times. 
 Big Challenge! Prestigious Award! Take a look below, if interested.

 Best regards, 
 Anna






I would like to bring you attention to the second annual IFC/Financial
Times Essay Competition opened on April 25, 2007. The theme of the
essay contest is "Private Sector Development: Creating Markets,
Transforming Lives."  The competition closes September 30, 2007.

The competition is a joint initiative by IFC and the Financial Times
to solicit action-oriented essays that provide insight into current
research on private sector development, as well as ways to develop and
support the implementation of leading-edge initiatives. Target
audiences include economic and financial policymakers, the
international financial community, and international domestic
investors.

The top prize is $20,000 in cash. The judging panel will also select
winners for 2nd and 3rd prizes, with prize amounts to be determined.
All winning essays will be published on the IFC external Web site and
by the Financial Times on FT.com .

The first IFC/FT Essay Competition last year drew more than 500
entries from over 70 countries on topics ranging from microfinance to
private sector development in post-conflict environments. The first
prize winner, Professor James Tooley of Newcastle University in the
United Kingdom, was recently appointed adviser to a $100 million fund
for private schools for the poor-the subject of his research and his
essay submission. Tooley remarked, "The global distribution platform
that IFC and the Financial Times provided gave the concept the needed
profile, enhancing its credibility."

Commenting on last year's winning essays, Michael Klein, IFC Chief
Economist and World Bank Group Vice President, Financial and Private
Sector Development, said, "The outstanding ideas proved that there is
a rich vein of thinking to mine among diverse professional and
academic communities. By uncovering these ideas, we can foster
innovative partnerships between the business and development
communities. As last year's essays showed, markets can indeed provide
solutions for low-income citizens where standard state- or
donor-driven approaches may struggle."

For more information on the competition, please visit
http://www.ifc.org/competition
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