Winners of ISCR Essay Competition

“To what extent has Belize become Socially and Culturally Cohesive since Independence in 1981?”

     NICH, through The Institute of Social and Cultural Research held a public forum this morning at the House of  Culture to end a Secondary School Essay Competition which focused on the question: “To what extent has Belize become socially and culturally cohesive since independence in 1981?”

Present at the forum were three of the top students from the ten schools who submitted papers on the topic, including: Gian Aguilar, from Sacred Heart College who placed third; Amenzee Amu from Pallotti High School who placed second; as well as first place winner Andre Alamina from St. John’s College. Also at the ceremony was Ms. Silvana Udz who moderated a discussion among the student presenters as well as those in attendance. Dr. John Morris from the Institute of Archeology also shared a dynamic presentation on the topic of the essay.

 Mr. Nigel Encalada, the Director for the Institute for Social and Cultural Research, explained that the Institute has a legal and strategic mandate to promote public education and understanding as it relates to the goal of identifying those characteristics which comprise a Belizean identity. While the largest percentage of Belizeans fall within the category of youth, it is fitting that students be asked to consider those crucial questions about how we as Belizeans relate to each other given our multi-cultural reality.

To view the winning essay by Adrian Alamina click here