Over the fold there’s a plug for a writing competition organised by the Australian Fabians which may be of interest to anyone aged 18-28.
What are the most important issues facing Australia today? What practical policy solutions do you have to address those problems? Can you convince people of your argument in 1,000 well-written words?
Your views about the future of Australia could win you a month-long internship at Demos, one of the UK’s leading progressive think-tanks, and get your opinion article published in The Australian.
The Australian Fabians Young Writers Competition for the Race Mathews Award is open to all young political thinkers and activists in Australia aged 18 – 28. We want to hear your view on any policy issue relevant to Australia in 2008.
* Opinion pieces can be on any policy issue facing Australian progressive politics today
* Entries should be no longer than 1,000 words, with no footnotes
* Entries will be judged for their originality, fluency of style and their practical solutions to current issues
This competition is an exciting chance for progressive young writers to challenge themselves and share their ideas with leading progressive politicians and the Australian public.
The judging panel – Kim Beazley, Barbara Norman, Larissa Behrendt and Rebecca Weisser – will select the winning article in December 2008.
First Prize: A return economy class airfare to London and a month-long internship at Demos, one of the UK’s leading think tanks. A small living allowance will also be provided and the winning article will be published in The Australian newspaper.
Second prize: A one month internship at Per Capita, Australia’s newest progressive think tank (in Sydney or Melbourne).
To enter, simply fill out the form here and attach your 1000 word opinion article by Monday 15 December 2008.
If you have any queries please email afsyoungwriters@gmail.com
It was a dark and stormy night…
Oh wait, I’m too old.
The Fabian society is a great way for intellectuals who don’t think party discipline and joining the ALP is for them but who broadly belong to the centre-left and want to get involved in politics in some way.
I thought that competition was about proposing a policy idea. That seems to narrow to me – it’s good if they now include general opinion pieces as well.
How many Fabians do we have at LP? I have to renew my membership – anyone else here going to join up?
I’m a Fabian, but I haven’t really done anything (like gone to meetings), but I may well do so next year. I am also 18, but not interested in Internships, as awesome as that sort of thing may sound.
Well a fine tradition it is too.
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From HG Welles and George Bernard Shaw to the Gen Y Great Australian Fabian Writer: H.A. Ackk whose stunning debut My Best Friend’s Back Has Holes I Put There is fine yarn.
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I oppose the death penalty except for critics who use the phrase ’stunning debut’.
Hey, A., don’t forget about critics who call a book “luminous” or “necessary”. Gadzooks!
My favorite book of the moment (oops, wrong thread): “A Minute Passed,” as read by Eric Idle.