Embassy Press Release

American Cultural Center Awards Winners of the English Essay Contest "WHAT HUMAN RIGHT DO I VALUE MOST?"

High school students and English teacher, Dorina Ionescu (C), from "Tudor Vianu" National College and Chargé d'Affaires, Jeri Guthrie-Corn (CL), celebrate Oana Balmau (CR), winner of the 2nd prize of the essay contest "What human right do I value most?". The contest was launched on December 10, 2008, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the proclamation of the United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Bucharest, February 26, 2009 (Lucian Crusoveanu / Public Diplomacy Office) More Photos

On February 26, 2009 teachers and high school students, American diplomats, Peace Corps Volunteers, Fulbright grantees, and NGO representatives gathered at the American Cultural Center to honor the winners of the student essay contest “What human right do I value most?”

This contest was launched on December 10, 2008, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the proclamation of the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Embassy received 117 essay submissions from 13 high schools and national colleges throughout Bucharest. “Iulia Hasdeu” National College is credited with the largest participation (32 students), followed by “I.L. Caragiale” National College (26 students), and “Spiru Haret” National College (17 students). The essays were judged on both style and content by a jury composed of Americans affiliated with the U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Romania.

In her opening remarks, Jeri Guthrie-Corn, the Charge d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest, congratulated all participants and stated that “Our goal was to encourage young adults like yourselves to think about Human Rights, in the context of what they mean to you, and why they are important in a free and democratic society. I have had the chance to read some of your essays and I was impressed by your enthusiasm, eloquence, and creativity."

Jan Sorensen, UN Resident Coordinator, United Nations System in Romania, and Andra Vladu, Marketing Manager at Hewlett-Packard Romania, also addressed the audience and presented the participants with certificates of appreciation.

Hewlett-Packard Romania awarded the top prize, an HP laptop. Prizes for the 2nd and 3rd place winners were awarded by the American Cultural Center: a digital camera and a MP3 player, respectively.

The twelve contest finalists were:

• Alexandra ADAM - “Iulia Hasdeu” National College
• Madalina ANGHEL – “Spiru Haret” National College
• Oana BALMAU – “Tudor Vianu” National College – 2nd prize
• Iulia BELU - “Iulia Hasdeu” National College
• Laura BURTAN - “I.L. Caragiale” National College
• Olivia Ioana DEJEU - “George Cosbuc” Bilingual National College – 1st prize
• Ionut Ovidiu GABROVEANU - “Spiru Haret” National College
• Radu-Ionut JIANU - “Sf. Sava” National College – 3rd prize
• Andrada Elena MATAUANU - “Iulia Hasdeu” National College
• Mihaela Raluca TABACU - “I.L. Caragiale” National College
• Cristina Sofia VASILE - “Iulia Hasdeu” National College
• Claudiu VELISAR - “I.L. Caragiale” National College

The three winners are:

First place:
Olivia Ioana Dejeu
“George Cosbuc” Bilingual National College, Grade: 12U1
Essay title: Which right is the most important to you?

Written in a lyrical prose style that one judge described as “soaring,” Ms. Dejeu argues that free will is the most basic of human rights. She stresses the importance of using one’s free will for the betterment of society as a whole.

“While on earth, our free will should always prevail, our rights should always be the same as those of our peers, our dignity should forever be held as the dearest and most precious element of our existence.”

Second place:
Oana Balmau
“Tudor Vianu” National College, Grade: 12E
Essay title: Being free inside your own head, and outside of it

Ms. Balmau’s impassioned defense of the freedom of expression reminds her readers of the inherent importance of a society free from censorship and fear.

“We live in an age of communication, a world of politicians, treaties, organizations, business meetings and public presentations, a world in which the WORD is the most powerful tool.”

Third place:
Radu-Ionut Jianu
“Sf. Sava” National College, Grade: 12C
Essay title: The path to Eden

Mr. Jianu’s essay boldly argues for the right of all people to have basic human rights, stating that they must triumph over mankind’s baser tendencies.

“The concept of a world where people abolish barriers of race, nationality or faith and take responsibility for all of humanity is hard to imagine, let alone implement. Despite that, a world where every human being has the right to have rights is as close to Eden as we will ever get.”

The three winners’ essays will be also highlighted on the following home pages:

US Embassy in Romania Website
http://bucharest.usembassy.gov/udhr/

United Nations Information Centre, Bucharest, Romania
http://www.onuinfo.ro/mass_media/comunicate_de_presa/

United Nations Cyberschoolbus
http://www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/

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