HACIA 31 Contests
This year’s art, essay, and social entrepreneurship contests are now live! Please find detailed guidelines for each competition, including themes, submission requirements, and evaluation criteria on this page. The submission form for all contests is located directly below — be sure to complete it before the deadline (March 1st, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST) to be considered for these competitions.
Essay Contest
Overview
The essay contest is one of the most valuable traditions of HACIA Democracy. It presents delegates with an opportunity to reflect on the state of democracy in Latin America, explore the complex realities of the region, and practice the art of oration and composition. The author of the best essay will be personally selected by the HACIA Democracy Executive Board and will receive the Award for Excellence in Essay Composition. The winning author will also have the honor of presenting their essay during our Opening Ceremony
Prompt
Looking back at the history of Latin America, there are many people who acted as democracy builders who may serve as role models for those looking to strengthen democracy today. But a “role model” does not have to be a historical figure; inspiring stories can be found in each of our communities and families. Democracy is maintained not only by the figures who make it into the history books, but also by the unsung heroes of our daily lives.
For your essay, reflect on how you have been inspired by a role model who embodies democratic values in your family, school, or community. Think of someone who works to build a culture of mutual respect and free expression, someone whose actions serve as an example of democracy building in the real world. This can be someone you know, like a family member, teacher, or friend, or someone well known in your community, like an ancestor or a local leader. In your essay, we want to hear your role model’s inspiring story, and also to understand how their example has prompted you to pursue democratic values in your life.
Guidelines
Essays should tell a compelling and personal story while also offering thoughtful reflection. Submissions will be judged on originality, depth of insight, and clarity of expression. Essays can be written in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. All essays must be between 700 and 1,000 words. Delegates should include their name, school, country, email address and number of words at the beginning of the essay. All submissions must be received by 11:59 pm EST on March 1st, 2026.
Art Contest
Overview
The HACIA Art Contest celebrates the power of creativity in exploring the themes of democracy and social justice in Latin America. This contest invites delegates to convey their perspectives through visual art, offering a platform for bold, imaginative, and deeply personal expressions. The winning piece will be selected by the Co-Presidents of HACIA Democracy and awarded the Art Award for Excellence in Visual Expression. Additionally, the artwork will be displayed during the Opening Ceremony, providing a moment of inspiration and reflection for all attendees.
Theme
The theme of this year’s art contest is “When Democracy Endures: Imagining a Better World” In this fight for democracy, the goal is to reach a state in which equality and equity are guaranteed and peace is widespread. Through your art, look to the future; if a society or country in Latin America led a persistent, successful fight for democracy that created centennial peace between people and lands, how would this state be visually represented? Would it be a place, a person, or a symbol? Would it be abstract or well-defined? Would it be a combination or group of these components? How would histories and stories of lands and people, especially from long before this goal is reached, play a role in this space?
Guidelines
All projects must be visual (no songs, poetry, etc) and can be done with oil, acrylics, watercolors, pencil, charcoal, wood, etc. Art projects do not have to be limited to two dimensions and can be brought to the conference if the student wishes to do so. Five criteria will be considered when deciding awards: expression of one's personality, proof of effort, creativity, aesthetics, and relevance to the topic.
Social Entrepreneurship Challenge (SEC)
Overview
At HACIA, there’s a powerful belief that the youth don’t inherit the world we live in, but they reshape it into something better. Clear examples include strong youth-led social movements and initiatives that have emerged to denounce serious issues but also to promote values and elevate people’s quality of life. In Latin America, these organizations and programs led by the youth are seen well in every country, demonstrating their commitment and engagement in making this world a better place from within their communities. However, currently, we believe it is time for Latin American youth to elevate their civic engagement by adopting an entrepreneurial mindset that harnesses their potential to implement their own social-impact initiatives. Social entrepreneurship not only fosters a more cohesive society but also cultivates crucial 21st-century skills, including leadership, critical thinking, innovation, adaptability, and collaboration. In this way, the projects should be replicable, scalable, and enhance the experience and quality of life for the involved groups in Latin America
The Contest
The HACIA Democracy Social Entrepreneurship Challenge (SEC) aims to develop young entrepreneurial leaders with a strong sense of civic engagement. In a nutshell, participants form teams to identify a problem in their communities and propose an innovative and sustainable community-based project to address it. A monetary prize will be awarded to the project that best exhibits extraordinary innovation, impact, and sustainability. By participating in the SEC, HACIA delegates get the unique chance to:
• turn their ideas into concrete projects.
• generate significant social change in their communities.
• inspire others in the HACIA community and beyond.
• put their creativity and leadership in action.
Requirements
All project submissions consist of:
1. Written Application: Each participating team will be required to submit a written application including: contact information for each of the team members as well as details about the social problem they have identified and the project they have designed to address it. The written application form can be found at the end of this page.
2. Pitch Video: Along with the written application, participants are asked to submit a 2-4 minute video where the team members describe and “pitch” their project.
All HACIA 31 delegates are eligible to participate in the SEC, either individually or in teams. Teams may have as many members as desired and may include individuals that are not participating in HACIA 31 (e.g. school mates, neighbors, friends), as long as they are currently enrolled in an institution of primary or secondary education. It is important to note that we request that at least ONE team member be an HACIA 31 delegate. Each team MUST have a Team Leader and a Teacher/Staff Sponsor (both of which must be indicated in the Written Application Form).
Criteria
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