Seeking the region's best and the brightest: APEC calls for papers

Singapore, 2 March 2009 - An all expenses-paid trip to present their views at the annual APEC CEO Summit - a gathering of the Asia-Pacific's top business people, which will be held in Singapore this November - may just motivate business students to knock out one more paper.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) invites senior level and postgraduate students from business schools in APEC member economies to write an original essay discussing: "What can APEC do for business?" The topic, intended to stimulate discussion surrounding APEC's core mission and long-term goals of free and open trade and investment, has been kept broad, to allow for the greatest range of perspectives and ideas.

"We put a good deal of thought into the best way to celebrate our anniversary," says Michael Tay, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat. "We decided that the most appropriate way to reflect our values as an innovative and inclusive body would be to stimulate discussion - and maybe even debate - surrounding APEC and business and how they can work together in the new economic landscape."

Three winners will receive prizes totalling USD 5,000. The top essayist will present his or her work at the CEO Summit taking place in Singapore in November 2009 and will have the chance to meet his/her economy's Leader. This experience includes the cost of flights to Singapore, hotel accommodation and a per diem allowance, in addition to a USD 500 cash prize.

The second prize winner will be awarded USD 1,000 and the third prize winner USD 500.

For complete submission details, please visit: www.apec.org/20years