ARE YOU A STUDENT IN GRADES 4 TO 12? ENTER COSTI'S REFUGEES & HUMAN RIGHTS CHILD & YOUTH POETRY CONTEST TODAY!

COSTI Immigrant Services invites students in Grades 4 to 12 to write a poem on the theme of “Refugees and Human Rights.” The objective of COSTI’s Refugees & Human Rights Child & Youth Poetry Contest is to bring greater attention to human rights abuses and the plight of refugees. The poetry contest is open to all aspiring poets who are students in Grades 4-12 and attending schools in the Province of Ontario.

Poems can be written in English or French with a maximum of 24 lines. There are three school grade categories: Grades 4 to 6, Grades 7 to 8 and Grades 9 to 12.

Each category will also be awarded the following:

• First Prize - Apple Airpods with Wireless Charging Case,
• Second Prize - Beats by Dre Solo3 Wireless Headphones
• Third Prize - Beats by Dre Pill+ Portable Bluetooth Speaker

The contest provides students with the opportunity to express their feelings and thoughts in English or in French on the theme of refugee and human rights issues, including those fleeing from violence and persecution, seeking refuge from war, pain and isolation, cultural/religious differences and co-existence, the importance of welcoming refugees, the challenges of adapting to life in a new country, and the need for being welcomed and learning to live together in our society.

The contest fits naturally into social studies and civic education curricula, with links to history, geography, language/literature and art; while also cultivating greater interest in creative writing.

There are no entry fees, no subsidy payments, and no purchases of any kind required to enter and win the contest.

To be eligible, all entries must be received via mail or email by April 26, 2021.

Each entry will be evaluated by a selection committee. Poems will be judged on the basis of originality, creative imagination, characterization, artistic quality, adherence to the topic, and rules established for the contest.

Click here to learn more about the poetry contest and to download a flyer.

Download the poetry contest entry form here.

Download resources for teachers here.

Please take a moment to read about last year's winners here.

Entry forms can be mailed to COSTI, 1710 Dufferin Street, Toronto, M6E 3P2, attention Poetry Contest. Forms can also be emailed to communications@costi.org.