FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Serene Feng
Email: [email protected]
Website: scholar.harvard.edu/policython
On October 23 - 25th, for 48 hours, students around the world will have the free online opportunity to write policy proposals- addressing today's most pressing challenges in public health, economic equity, criminal justice, and international affairs- at the very first Pandemic Policython. Organized by Policy for the People, an initiative remotely run by high school and college students, the nonpartisan event is dedicated to immersing students in the policy development process through world-class connections.
In this time marked by many halted plans, as a result of the COVID-19, Lucas Chu and fellow students formed the Policy for the People team “to engage ordinary citizens with our common purpose of achieving justice by means of democracy through online programming.”
“[We want] to show that students care about, understand, and can bridge the divides of our time,” says Chu, the lead organizer of the Policython. “We're grounded in the belief that diversity, discord, and disagreement provide the construction lines of a better society that we're accountable for creating.”
Nonprofits including the International Public Policy Association, academic institutions including the Harvard Kennedy School, and international NGOs including the World Health Organization will be sending speakers and mentors, thereby expanding the scope of policy-writing to include an international lens while targeting community-level problems. The Policython is co-sponsored by the Harvard Institute of Politics Policy Program, Cornell Institute of Public Affairs, NYU Public Safety Lab, and over 20 other organizations who will bring their specialized expertise.
All are welcome to attend, including beginners in policy-writing; most participants will be high school and university students interested in public policy. While attendees can choose to work alone, applicants can form teams of up to 4 on the focus area, or “track” (full list of tracks), of their choosing. Participants will receive guidance every step of the way through workshops, mentor office hours, and judge feedback. The event culminates with each applicant/team submitting their policy memos to policymakers.
Winning teams will receive up to $250 in cash and $1000 in a seed grant fund to continue their work with a partner. The Pandemic Policython offers tons of other prizes, from placement in the Harvard Art Museum to automatic entry into partner organization fellowships and chats with leading academics.
Acceptances are sent on a rolling basis. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible at https://bit.ly/policythonapp.
For more information about the event, please contact:
Serene Feng
Public Relations
Policy for the People is a fiscally sponsored, nonprofit organization of students engaging students in policy. We're students from all over the world, from Harvard to the London School of Economics to the U of Toronto. If you're interested in helping organize, partnering, or sponsoring, email us with inquiries at [email protected].