Quick updates (using Deepest Sender):

1) The Star’s BRATs are recruiting again for 2008! I get a lot of comments from would-be BRATs asking about the next recruitment, so here’s your chance. Workshops will be held on:

• Taiping, March 9 - 12
• Penang, May 24 - 27
• Kuala Selangor, August 16 - 19

If you are aged between 16 to 19 and you’re interested in journalism, the BRATs would be a great foot in the door for your media aspirations. To participate, just write a 1000-word essay about yourself, your family, your inspirations, and your preferences, and send it to:

BRATs Star Youth
Menara Star
15, Jalan 16/11,
46350 Petaling Jaya, Selangor OR
email to brats@thestar.com.my .

Include a bio with contact details, family details, and academic background. Doesn’t have to be crazy complex though. Don’t forget to indicate which workshop you’re interested in. (And don’t worry if you don’t get your first choice - I didn’t get my first choice of workshop but got drafted into the next workshop in Lumut). The participation fee is RM120, but you only have to pay that if you are accepted.

Be quick - applications close February 2 2008!

2) If you’re more interested in speaking than writing, the English Speaking Union of Malaysia (ESUM)’s Public Speaking Competition is right up your alley. Two finalists of this competition will be sent to London in May to represent Malaysia in the International Public Speaking Competition.

Preliminaries and semi-finals will be held on the 8th of March. The preliminaries consist of a 5-minute delivered speech on “New Frontiers, New Horizons” as well as a 3-minute impromptu speech. Those in the semi-finals would then have to talk about how they could change the world.

Applications are open to those aged 16-20 and forms can be found in the Sunday Star Education pullouts (which are another good resource for this sort of thing).

3) If you wish to change the world through essays, check out The World Bank’s International Essay Competition 2008. This year, they would like to know your practical ideas for shaping the
 City of your Dreams. This competition is open to anyone 18-25, and the prizes include up to USD1000 cash, as well as an all-expenses paid trip to the ABCDE conference in Cape Town, South Africa.

Send your essays online in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, or Portuguese. The closing date is March 23, 2008.