Port-au-Prince, September 1, 2025.- The Office for the Protection of Citizens (OPC) announced on Monday the official launch of the 9th edition of its national competition for texts and audiovisual reports on human rights. This initiative aims to stimulate the civic awareness of young people and to encourage critical reflection on the major issues related to fundamental rights in Haiti.
A structured calendar and symbolic prices
Participants have until October 31, 2025 to submit their works. Texts will be received until November 3, and the selection of shortlisted candidates will be made public on November 21. Interviews with the finalists are scheduled for 25-28 November, before the winners are announced on 1 December. The awards ceremony will take place between 5 and 8 December.
Three major awards will be awarded: the Jean Dominique Prize, the Frank Étienne Prize and that of Charles Guy Étienne, rewarding the best literary or audiovisual productions.
Youth themes
In category C, for students from 1st to 4th high school, candidates will have to choose between two themes:
1. Difficulties in operating schools in areas controlled by gangs;
2. The increased vulnerability of girls in camps for internally displaced persons, in the absence of concrete actions by the State.
Participation arrangements
The texts, written in French or Haitian Creole, must be original, include 3 to 4 pages, in Times New Roman, size 12, line 1.5, and include a cover page with the contact details of the participant and his or her institution. Shipments can be made by e-mail (competitopchaiti2025@gmail.com), via WhatsApp at (509) 2999-12-12, or deposited at the OPC's offices in Delmas 33 or Delmas 83.
No prior registration is required. Simply accompany the text with a letter of recommendation or identification.
Through this competition, the OPC invites the Haitian youth to speak, to defend the values of dignity, justice and equality, and to become an actor of social change.
W.E.
