Renee Duke

2024 Renee Duke Youth Award poetry contest

The history of the human race records great achievements in the progress of civilization – language, medicine, technology, education, etc. Yet human rights remains Mankind’s most neglected and fought element.

In December of 1948, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In practice, the granting of human rights for all has yet to be accomplished. 

“La plume est plus forte que l’epee.” – “The pen is mightier than the sword. “  first written by novelist and playwright Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839, in his historical play Cardinal Richelieu.

Since 2006, Poets for Human Rights has conducted an annual youth award poetry contest to forward the message of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

2024 Renee Duke Youth Award poetry contest

Send one original poem related to Human Rights.

Cover sheet : Include name, address, age, school and grade, permission to publish, poem title. Short bio is optional.

Contest is open to poets 19 years old and younger. There will be one cash prize of $100.

Familiarity with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is recommended. An abridged copy of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is available upon request.

Winning poem will be announced and read at Poets for Human Rights annual awards on or around Dec. 10, the 76th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The poem will be posted on the Renee Duke Youth Award Poetry Contest Facebook page.

Style: Any poetic form.

Length: 1 page, letter size dimensions 8.5 by 11 inches.

Format: Left justified, 12 point font.

No colors, no graphics.

Submissions deadline: Saturday, November 30, 2024.

No simultaneous submissions or previously published poems.

Submit entries to poetsforhumanrights@gmail.com, in the body of email or pdf attachment. No hyperlinks or word.doc attachments will be considered.

In subject line, write “poetry contest”