Commemorating the
80th Anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Days &
10th Anniversary of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Calgary, Alberta is an innovative city, known for its youthful energy and proximity to world-famous places like Banff and Lake Louise in the stunning Canadian Rocky Mountains. We are thrilled to invite the brightest and most promising high school students from around the globe to participate in the Calgary International Speech Contest.
Unified Theme for Speeches:
My Blueprint to Build a Peaceful and Sustainable World
Your speeches will showcase exemplary leadership and a passion to transform our world to a better place to live together peacefully and sustainably.
Selected applicants will be invited to travel to Calgary to make a speech at the Calgary International Speech Contest and awarded a scholarship.
Your flight, hotel and meals will be covered.*
As part of this unique experience, you will also enjoy an unforgettable excursion with the other finalists to breathtaking Banff and Lake Louise in the heart of the Rockies.
To download all or part of the Application Package including printable PDFs of the flyer, guide and form, click here.
Scholarships
1st Prize
(1 Student)
$2000
2nd Prize
(2 Students)
$1000
3rd Prize
(2 Students)
$500
Participation Honorariums
(3 Students)
$100
Official Certificate of Participation will be provided to all participants
Qualifications
- High school students; 15 years old or older and under 19 years old on August 9th, 2025
- Able to converse in English
- Original speech of one’s own writing in English
- Valid passport/visa for entry into Canada
- The expiration of the passport must be on or after February 8, 2026
- Able to visit Canada between 8/8 (F) to 8/11 (M), 2025
Required Application Package Contents
- Application Form, which will include video link to your speech, as well as parent/guardian consent for travel & media release.
- Speech manuscript
- PDF or image (JPEG) file of your passport
IMPORTANT DATES
MAR
15
Submission Deadline
for the Application Package to be sent to floatinglanternpeace@gmail.com
APR
01
Finalists Notified
Selected students will have to start preparation to obtain necessary travel documents, which the Canadian Government requires, such as passport, visa, or eTA.
July
01
Submit Proof of Travel Documents
Submit the official digital invoice and E-ticket issued by an airline after purchasing the round-trip air ticket, as well as your banking information for the reimbursement. Include the invoices for your travel & health insurance. Your purchase of the round-trip airfare (between your country and Calgary) + travel and health insurance will be reimbursed upon your arrival in Calgary. See the details below.
AUG
08
International Speech Contest
Fri Aug 08 – Arrive In Calgary
Sat Aug 09 – Speech Contest & Lantern Peace Festival
Sun Aug 10 – Friendship Excursion to Banff
Mon Aug 11 – Depart Calgary
Required Application Package
1. Application Form, which will include:
- Video link that films your speech. The video should be a single take, which is “without any cuts or edits,” and uploaded to YouTube as “UNLISTED” and fill in its URL to the application form.
- Consent signature from the parents/guardians for the travel abroad and the video release
2. Speech manuscript of 1000 words to 1200 words based on the unified theme: My Blueprint to Build a Peaceful and Sustainable World
This must be your original writing and can be a draft. You have to have your own individual title of your speech. You can further polish your draft after the submission and before the speech contest. If you wish to utilize images and/or photos during your presentation, please make an inquiry when you submit the manuscript.
3. PDF or image (JPEG) file of your passport
Please send us only the page that includes your personal information with a photo. We need to confirm that you are able to travel. This will be kept on file for individual emergency purposes.
IMPORTANT
Passport and Travel requirements
Due to government travel guidelines you MUST confirm that you have a valid passport and it does not expire for 6 months after the first day of the competition weekend (Feb 8, 2026).
For more information on necessary travel documents, which the Canadian Government requires, such as passport, visa, or eTA. please refer to the Government of Canada guidelines:
For general passport requirements, please check here.
For visas, please check this here.
For eTA, please check here.
To check if you need to give biometrics, or not, please check here.
An official Letter of Consent to Travel will be required. More information will be provided to the finalists.
About Reimbursement of the Travel Cost Between Your Home and Calgary
Your airfare will be reimbursed (plus travel and health insurance) and the fee of the local transportation of your country to get to the airport you depart/arrive at, up to $3,000 CAD for international participants and up to $500 CAD for Canadian participants. The refund will be made after your arrival at Calgary.
In order to receive the reimbursement, you have to submit PDF or JPEG files of the official invoice and E-ticket that are issued by an airline, as well as your banking information (Name of the Bank, a branch name, a banking account number, an exact name of the account holder, and BIC – Bank Identification Code – or Swift Code). If you are Canadian participants and have an account that enables you to receive money through Interac e-Transfer, please submit the email address and the exact name of the account holder that is used for the transaction.
For the official receipts of local transportation in your nations from your home to an airport you depart/arrive at, please obtain the official receipts. If it is not possible, you need to take a photo of each ticket and these photos need to be submitted to the Peace Committee during your stay in Calgary.
In case you cancel your participation in the contest for any reason, we will not be able to refund for an unrealized travel airfare among other costs you have paid in advance.
Evaluation of the Speeches
Our judges will employ a robust set of judging criteria that considers various aspects of content, delivery, and overall impact with the following points:
Content
Originality: The uniqueness and creativity of the speech content, showcasing novel ideas and perspectives that are developed by the speaker’s understanding and interpretation of the unified theme.
Depth: The depth of research and analysis evident in the speech, demonstrating a well-rounded understanding and interpretation of the unified theme.
Organization: The speech is well organized with an orderly presentation of premise, content, and conclusion.
Delivery and Impact
Confidence: The speaker’s self-assurance conveys a sense of conviction in her/his message.
Connection with the Audience: The ability to engage and inspire the audience fostering a sense of resonance.
Overall Impact: The lasting impression created by the speech, considering its positive influence that is derived from the speaker’s understanding and interpretation of the unified theme.