1998 First writing Contest

In 1998, with the intention of contributing to the development of Education some members of QUIPUNET on SEDERUL (Rural Development Service) email list developed a Virtual Competition of Writing  of interest was formed open to Junior High School Students of Public Educational Centers of Peru, especially in rural areas. The topic chosen for the composition was “The Natural Resources of my Country”.

The Competition was offered as an incentive to secondary students to familiarize themselves with the Tools of the INTERNET and to be able to take part in its benefit for the development of their local communities. They would experience a form of communication with the outside World to make known their concerns, their problems and their experiences.

The principal objectives of the writing competitions were to:

• To awaken and stimulate in young people the use of the Tools of the Internet and the advantages that this represented for their personal development and that of their community.
• To allow the children and young people to interrelate with the whole country (PERU) and not only to know the realities of their own region but also that of other regions.
• To contribute to improve the relationships among students, professors, family and community, motivating the solidarity to unite their efforts and to achieve their goals.

Reception of the compositions were set for October 19 to December 4, 1998. The students were evaluated writing, spelling, originality, depth and presentation. The Jury was a team of professionals and University professors in Peru and other countries. The Awards Ceremony took place on December 18, 1998 in Conference Room of the Peruvian Scientific Network in Lima, Peru. The following table is the list of winners of the composition contest.

With an investment of $ 2,500, (USD), we had developed a methodology to continue making these types of contests. The cooperation of entities such as CPR, Inictel, and EduRed (of the Ministry of Education) had been achieved.  It had been possible to encourage children, teachers, schools and cities to participate.