• "Justice Beyond Humanity: Advancing Animal Rights"

    Animal rights have become an increasingly important issue as human activities affect animals on a massive scale. Each year, more than 80 billion land animals are raised and slaughtered for food worldwide, and most are kept in industrial farming systems that restrict movement and natural behavior. In the United States, about 99% of farmed animals are raised on factory farms, making confinement a standard part of modern food production rather than an exception.

    Animals are also widely used in scientific research and testing. Global estimates indicate that over 190 million animals are used annually for scientific purposes, many of which are afforded limited legal protection. Together, these facts underscore the profound impact of human choices on animal lives and raise significant questions about ethics, responsibility, and justice that extend beyond our own species.

    We Must Act Now!

    Prompts

    1. “Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace.” - Albert Schweitzer. How do you understand this quote?

    2. Should scientific innovation be slowed if it causes harm to animals, even when it benefits humans?

    3. How should responsibility for animal treatment be distributed among individuals, corporations, and governments?

    4. Share a personal story or observation about a time when you noticed how an animal’s life was shaped by human choices or systems. What did the experience teach you about responsibility or compassion?

    All candidates must answer one of these questions via writing, speech, or artwork.

    Entry Requirements

    Entry is open to students from any country and any school. Candidates must be 20 years old or younger on the date of the submission deadline.

    Key Dates​​

    Submission deadline: EST 11:59 PM on 1st April 2026

    Short-listed candidates will be notified before 1st June 2026

    Winners will be announced on 15th June 2026


    Awards
    Each major category will award one Grand Prize, First Prize, Second Prize, Third Prize, and Short-list.

    The Grand Prize winner will receive a cash prize of $150 or 1000 RMB.

    Entry fee

    30 USD/200 CNY. All income will be used for project operations and other non-profit activities.

    Writing Requirements

    • The work must be written in English
    • Narratives or Essays (600-2000 words excluding references); Poetry (no more than 80 lines)
    • Participants must complete their work originally. Participants must include in-text citations and a bibliography if other works are cited.
    • Once the participant is found to plagiarize or use AI in any part of their work, he or she will be disqualified directly.
    • Do not include any personal information, such as name, home address, etc

    The Format of the Work

    • MS Word Format files only (files less than 20 M)
    • The title of the work must be placed on the first page of the article
    • Times New Roman, 12-point type, double-spaced
    • If there are references, please indicate the in-text citation and references
    • The file is named by name + category (Sam Zhang, Writing)

    Speech Requirements

    • The speech must be done in English
    • Video length must not exceed 5 minutes
    • Once the participant is found to plagiarize or use AI, he or she will be disqualified directly.
    • Do not include any personal information, such as name, home address, etc

    The Format of the Work

    • Please upload the speech to a social media platform (eg, Bilibili, YouTube, etc.). Do not upload the original video file.
    • Include the video link in a Microsoft Word file. (Make sure the video can be accessed by the public.)
    • The file is named by name + category (Keyi Lin, Speech)
    • The title of the work（the question you choose to answer）must be placed in the file.

    Art Requirements

    • Works in the form of comic art, design, video, painting and illustration, mixed media, photography, music, printmaking, ceramics
    • Participants must complete their work originally. If other works are cited, participants must include in-text citations and a bibliography.
    • Once the participant is found to plagiarize or use AI, he or she will be disqualified directly.
    • Participants can choose to complete the work in a group of no more than 2 people, or they can choose to complete it by themselves
    • Do not include any personal information, such as name, home address, etc
    • A written reflection in English(artist’s statement) of more than 100 words is required

    The Format of the Work

    • Videos will be uploaded via video link（eg, Bilibili, YouTube, etc.), and other works will be uploaded in PDF files.
    • If there are references, please indicate the in-text citation and references
    • The file is named by name + category (Julia Lee, Art)

    Precautions

    • Once the work is submitted, it cannot be changed or refunded
    • The writers and speakers can't team up
    • All works will be checked for the use of AI. If we find that any content is generated by AI, your work will be disqualified
    • The competition organizing committee has the final authority over the results and does not accept any form of reconsideration

  • Social Justice Awards 2026 Spring Junior Prize

    Prompts

    Why do you think people often treat different animals in different ways?

    All candidates must answer the question in writing.

    Entry Requirements

    Entry is open to students from any country and any school. Candidates must be 15 years old or younger on the date of the submission deadline.

    Key Dates​​

    Submission deadline: EST 11:59 PM on 1st April 2026

    Short-listed candidates will be notified on 1st June 2026

    Winners will be announced on 15th June 2026


    Awards
    This competition will award one Grand Prize, First Prize, Second Prize, Third Prize, and Short-list.

    The Grand Prize winner will receive a $150 or 1000 CNY cash prize.

    Entry fee

    30 USD/200 CNY. All income will be used for project operations and other non-profit activities.

    Writing Requirements

    • The work must be written in English
    • Narratives or Essays (500-1000 words excluding references);
    • Participants must complete their work originally. Participants must include in-text citations and a bibliography if other works are cited.
    • Once the participant is found to plagiarize or use AI, he or she will be disqualified directly.
    • Do not include any personal information, such as name, home address, etc

    The Format of the Work

    • MS Word Format files only (files less than 20 M)
    • The title of the work must be placed on the first page of the article
    • Times New Roman, 12-point type, double-spaced
    • If there are references, please indicate the in-text citation and references
    • The file is named by name + category (Sam Zhang, Writing)

    Precautions

    • Once the work is submitted, it cannot be changed or refunded
    • The competition organizing committee has the final authority over the results and does not accept any form of reconsideration.
    • All works will be checked for the use of AI. If we find that any content is generated by AI, your work will be disqualified

  • Resources

    Papers & Reports

    The Moral Status of Animals

    Animal Cognition

    News & Website

    Animal Welfare: A Shared Responsibility Worldwide

    Oxford Uehiro Prize in Practical Ethics: Why We Should Genetically ‘Disenhance’ Animals Used in Factory Farms

    Pablo Escobar’s hippos lead a charge for animal rights

    Video

    How necessary is animal testing? | Caius Gibeily | TEDxEmory

    Why animals in zoos need choice | Stephanie Braccini Slade | TED Institute

    Animals Don’t Have a Choice, Let’s Be Their Voice | Olivia Liu | TEDxGrandviewHeights

  • Join Social Justice Awards 2026 Spring NOW！

    IN JUSTICE WE ACT！

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