The Harvard International Review• Founded in 1979"• A quarterly magazine"• Aims to bridge the worlds of academia and policy through#outstanding writing and editorial selection"• Has featured commentary by#43 Presidents and Prime Ministers, 4 Secretaries-General, 4 Nobel Economics Prize laureates, and 7 Nobel Peace Prize laureates"• Each issue is read on six continents by#over 100,000 print and digital subscribers
The Harvard International Review Academic Writing Contest• Running since 2020! • Inspired by the paper’s growing high school readership around the world"• Aims to encourage and highlight outstanding high school writing on topics related to international affairs
Contest Format• Participants in the contest submit a short-form article on a topic in international affairs"• Each submission will be read and scored by the#Harvard International Review"• A number of contestants will be selected as finalists, who are invited to participate in a virtual HIR Defense Day"• At the Defense Day, students will have the opportunity to give a 15-minute presentation and oral defense to#Harvard International Review#judges
ThemesParticipants will have a choice of two different themes •Theme A: Inequalities in a VUCA World Our current world is shaped by an acronym called “VUCA”—Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity—these broader themes exacerbate, contextualize, and underpin a broad array of inequalities. Globally, gross inequalities shape the distribution of resources, including military might, education, wealth, capital, and natural resources. These inequalities persist on different political strata, dividing regions of the world (Global North vs. Global South), countries, or different cities/towns in a particular country. They may also divide people based on personal demographics: gender, race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic class, caste, sexual orientation, etc.#"•Theme B: Global Challenges and Collective Actions News cycles are dominated by military conflicts, such as those in Ukraine and Israel/Palestine. However, “global challenges” expands far beyond war to include other, more humanitarian crises: discrimination, famine, natural disasters, disease, climate-related displacement, etc. Examples of collective actions to address this broad array of issues include not only multi-state coalitions (such as UNICEF), but also grassroots activism and national social movements."
Submission Guidelines• Content#"• Articles should address a topic related to international affairs today. Potential categories include (but are not limited to): Agriculture, Business, Cybersecurity, Defense, Education, Employment & Immigration, Energy & Environment, Finance & Economy, Public Health, Science & Technology, Space, Trade, and Transportation"• Articles should examine the theme from a global perspective rather than focusing on the United States"• Length"• Articles should be at least 800 words but not exceed 1,200 words"• Citations & Sources"• All factual claims must be backed by citation from a reliable source. Citations must be made via hyperlinks. Non-digital sources can be cited as per AP Style
Writing Guidelines• Submissions should present an analytically backed perspective on an under-appreciated global issue • Excellent HIR articles will aim to present an issue holistically from a balanced perspective"• Evidence and nuance are critical "• Submissions should be well-researched, well-informed, and formal in style and prose • All submissions should be culturally sensitive, fact-checked, and respectful
Why Should I Enter?• Enhance your analytical thinking, critical writing, and research skills"• Contribute to important global discussions"• Gain experience writing for a highly selective academic journal"• Receive high-quality feedback from experts in the field"• Strengthen your academic portfolio"• Grow as a writer and scholar!
Contest Dates for 20243 distinct submission cycles for the 2024 Contest"•Spring 2024 • Article Submission Deadline: May 31, 2024"• HIR Defense Day: June 29, 2024"•Summer 2024 • Article Submission Deadline: August 31, 2024"• HIR Defense Day: October 5, 2024"•Fall 2024 / Winter 2024 • Article Submission Deadline: January 2, 2025"• HIR Defense Day: February 5, 2025"Admissions are done on a rolling basis