Flash Contest
2nd Annual Contest Tops 8,500 Registrants...And Still Growing

Today, we live in an information age. People all around the world have an array of choices when it comes to educating and engaging themselves in global issues. Ironically, as the world has become more interconnected, many people have become distracted due to information overload. Words alone do not evoke the same meaning and urgency that they did a generation ago.

At Citizens for Global Solutions we face this intriguing challenge as we reach out to a wider public. As an organization that envisions a future in which nations work together to abolish war, protect our rights and freedoms and solve the problems facing humanity that no nation can solve alone, we surf the top of the technology wave to connect with individuals in new ways through increasingly effective e-advocacy techniques.

The recently launched Flash Movie Contest 2006 is one example of our cutting-edge outreach techniques. This innovative tool helps connect us to a large group of young people that are bombarded by the sheer volume of information available to them. The contest engages, educates and inspires thought and creativity. And, the early returns have been amazing! Within the first three weeks we had more registrants than the entire 2005 competition overall and as we go to print with this newsletter, we have nearly tripled last year’s total of 3,000 registrants.

Building upon the lessons we learned in our inaugural contest last year it was clear from the outset that this competition had to be something special in order to engage greater numbers of youth worldwide. We designed a “flash-in-a-box” contest kit, targeted a broader audience and focused the contest’s subject by asking entrants to create a Flash that answers the question: “Why do you think global problems matter to Americans and what can Americans do about them?” Our goal with this more specific question will help facilitate a narrative in which young people identify with particular issues and look for solutions by Americans at the local level.

The idea to use Flash — an easy-to-use tool for creating animated movies — is a modern and fun way of getting young people to think about pertinent global issues. Flash has the unique ability to seek out an individual’s opinion and channel their ideals. The increase in registrants also demonstrates that young people worldwide are challenging the cynical perception that they are disinterested in events taking place in the international arena.

We will judge the submissions on creativity, originality, animation, design and the entrant’s adherence to the theme. Citizens for Global Solutions staff and active members will carry out the preliminary judging, with the top entries going live on our website for open voting.

Educating young people on important global issues is not only a way of building political will amongst a vital demographic, but also increases our activist community and membership. The Flash Contest is an exciting vehicle leading the way in our quest to find new and innovative ways of engaging youth. A major challenge, however, is finding ways to ensure that this interest does not wane as soon as the contest is over.

This is why the format of the question is so important. By asking people what matters to them personally, rather than presenting them with a myriad of global issues, we are appealing to their values and beliefs which should help shape their own ideas.

Citizens for Global Solutions hopes that the Flash Contest’s efforts to mobilize youth in fun and creative ways will send a clear message to policy makers that Americans are tuned in to the world around them and realize the direct implications of global issues on their own lives.

Contributing Writer: Tom Moran


Updated April 10, 2006