Solidarity Essay Competition

Calling all high school and college/university students in the USA! The Goethe-Institut USA invites you to participate in our Solidarity and Civic Engagement in Transatlantic Perspective essay competition.

Solidarity is a core value in times of global challenges. This competition encourages the next generation to critically examine the role of solidarity between Germany, Europe, and the USA. What does collective action mean today? How can solidarity help promote social justice, freedom, and responsibility in a transatlantic context?

Not sure how to integrate the topic into your classroom? Unsure which essay theme to choose? Join our workshop series this September to gain practical ideas for classroom use and inspiration for an essay that reflects critical thinking, creativity, and academic integrity.
 

Prizes will be awarded to the top three high school and top three college student essay submissions. In both categories, the prizes are the following:
-First place: Scholarship for an in-person language course at a Goethe-Institut in Germany and a prize package
-Second and third place: Scholarship for an online German language course by the Goethe-Institut and a prize package
-All students who enter the competition will receive a certificate of participation
-The six winning essays will be published in the Goethe-Institut North America's online magazine Gegenüber

The six winners will be invited to an in-person award ceremony. As part of the ceremony, they will have the opportunity to present and defend their ideas in a moderated panel discussion. The event will be held in both English and German.

Participants may choose one of the following topics:

1. Solidarity in a globalized world: How can solidarity be strengthened across the transatlantic space? Explore the challenges and opportunities for cooperation in social, economic, political, planetary, and environmental matters.
2. Solidarity in politics: What role does solidarity play in the democracies of Germany, the USA, and Europe? How does it contribute to stability and justice—or give rise to tensions?
3. Digital solidarity: How do social media platforms influence modern solidarity movements? What opportunities and risks arise from digital engagement? Does the use of AI pose a challenge to solidarity-based action?
4. Solidarity in art, film, and music: How is solidarity represented in creative forms of expression, and what impact do these portrayals have on civic engagement?

• Target Group: High school and college/university students in the USA
• Essay Length: Between 1,500 and 2,000 words
• Language: English or German
• Submission Deadline: October 14th, 2025

By participating in this essay competition, students agree to use AI tools such as language models responsibly—for brainstorming, research, and drafting only. Any content generated by AI must be clearly marked and cited. Participants commit to academic integrity by avoiding plagiarism and ensuring their work reflects their own critical thinking and creativity, with proper source citations. Violations of the honor code may result in disqualification.

Essays will be evaluated by a jury based on the following criteria:

• Originality (5 points)
• Depth of analysis (5 points)
• Relevance and timeliness (5 points)
• Structure and clarity of argument (5 points)
• Language quality (5 points)
• References (5 points)

For further information and a contextualization of the topic of solidarity, we refer you to the following sources:

• Solidarity and Universalism: from Gegenüber (the digital magazine of the Goethe-Institut in North America)
• Drama and the Archive: Solidarity Campaigns in Europe
• STEP into German: Some are guilty – all are responsible (essay by Gegenüber with worksheet)
• GEMs U-Häppchen on relevant topics
  • Widerstand
  • Kollwitz
  • Kant
  • Migration and Solidarity

• Recording of Solidarity Essay Competition Opening Information Session for Teachers

• Solidarity Essay Competition Opening Information Session for Teachers Slides(PDF, 6 MB)

• Solidarity and Cultural Memory in the Classroom – Implementing Materials from the Goethe-Institut Creatively Slides(PDF, 4 MB)

• Solidarity 101 for Youth: Exploring Collective Action Across Transatlantic Borders Slides(PDF, 10 MB)