Colombian student wins second place in IdeasForTheFuture university essay competition

With an essay on the importance of digital economy during the pandemic, University of Los Andes’s Kevin Mojica won the second prize (USD 2,000) of the 2020 edition of the Ideas for the Future competition, an initiative that aims to showcase the vision of young Ibero-Americans on key issues for their countries’ development.

Omari Joseph, a student at the University of the West Indies, won the first prize (USD 3,000), a.k.a Guillermo Perry Award, with an essay on the current situation of Latin American SMEs and the best public policies to close historical productivity gaps. The third prize (USD 1,000) went to Nazarena Marano, from Torcuato di Tella University, in Argentina, with an essay on free trade agreements in the region.

The three students had the opportunity to present their essays and hold discussions with CAF Secretary General Victor Rico, who recognized the value of their works during the CAF annual conference.

“The #IdeasForTheFuture showcases every year the vitality and talent of Ibero-American youth. This year’s edition, in the context of COVID-19, has shown that young people are well prepared and have great ideas for transforming the reality of their countries,” said CAF executive president Luis Carranza.

More than 500 essays from 19 countries were entered in this year’s edition. The original texts of the 12 finalists and winners are available on the website www.ideasparaelfuturo.caf.com.