The Organisation des Citoyens pour une Nouvelle Haïti (OCNH) announced on Tuesday, November 3, the finalists of its fourth essay contest, who now move on to an oral round, Vant Bèf Info reported. This year's theme is “Legal identity for all: the stakes and challenges of civil registration in Haiti,” a problem that leaves many Haitians without birth certificates or identity papers.

The contest, launched on August 6, is open to undergraduate students and students writing their final thesis. The finalists come from the State University of Haiti, the Université de la Fondation Dr Aristide, the Université Notre-Dame d'Haïti and the public university of the South in Les Cayes (UPSAC). The organizers announced 15 finalists, although the published list contains 16 names.

The winner will receive $1,500, a computer, a trophy, a medal, books and a paid internship. Second place earns $1,000, a tablet, books and an internship, and third place $650 and a tablet. The awards ceremony is planned for December 4.