The essay contest elicited a large number of strong submissions from undergraduates and young professionals alike. The prompt asked applicants to imagine writing for The Economist in year 2024 and illustrate Turkey and its place in the world. The Committee enjoyed reading the submissions and extends its congratulations to the following winners:
First place winner
The winner receives a $300 prize and recognition at the Turkey’s Turn conference.
Read the winning entry below.
 James Rockas, Cornell University, Class of 2014. James Rockas is a recent graduate of Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences majoring in government. At Cornell, James was an editor and global liaison at the Cornell International Affairs Review and was part of a research team focused on human rights and nuclear proliferation in Iran. He was chosen to deliver the team’s paper “Reflections on the American National Conversation Regarding Iran’s Nuclear Policy” at the Arab Institute for Security Studies conference entitled “Laying the Grounds for 2012 – Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Nuclear Security” in Amman, Jordan. James previously clerked at the American Center for Law and Justice, covering US domestic and international policy as well as human rights issues in the Middle East and North Africa. James has interned with the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and has been interested in Turkey since the age of 16 when he produced and directed a documentary entitled On the Precipice of Extinction, which outlines the religious freedom and human rights issues facing the Greek Orthodox community of Turkey. |
Read his winning entry: |
Second place winner
Winners receive a $100 prize.
- Metin Adrian Toksoz-Exley
Honorable mentions
- John Blasing
- Kemal Beyaztas