The deadline is February 1, 2012 at 11:59pm EST.

Students will answer the question,

The Academy for International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding runs the  National Peace Essay Contest based on the belief that questions about peace, justice, freedom, and security are vital to civic education. First-place state winners receive scholarships and are invited to Washington for a five-day awards program.

The Institute pays for expenses related to the program, including travel, lodging, meals and entertainment. The five-day program promotes an understanding of the nature and process of international peacemaking by focusing on a region and/or theme related to the current essay contest.