Youth tapped for wisdom in essay competition

Secondary school students will be given the opportunity to have their say on how New Zealand can become a knowledge society.

Announcing a national essay competition yesterday, University of Auckland vice-chancellor John Hood said students would be asked to submit a 1500-word essay on "The kind of knowledge society I want for New Zealand."

Dr Hood said it was essential to hear the views and ideas of the "future leaders of this country."

The competition winners would have the chance to attend the Catching the Knowledge Wave conference in Auckland in August.

The conference, which is being co-hosted by the university and the Government, aimed to encourage contributions from New Zealanders at all levels of society, both at home and abroad, he said.

"Our goal is to create a national conversation on how New Zealand can move forward as a knowledge-based society and seize new opportunities that will create jobs, wealth and expand our existing offerings.

"This essay competition is an attempt to do this at secondary-school level."

All secondary schools will be sent an information pack about the competition this week. Entries close at the end of next month and winners will be announced in June.

Students or teachers wanting more information on the competition can visit the Knowledge Wave website.

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Online feature: The knowledge society

Catching the
Knowledge Wave project