The Youth Essay Contest launched in 2013 has been held every year to raise young people’s interest in politics, society, economy, and culture in Northeast Asia and establish NEAR’s identity. More students have been participating in the contest since the first contest. This year, with the theme of ‘Cultural Exchange’ and ‘Environmental Issues,’ a total of 56 essays from five countries were submitted. The grand prize was given to Sunagozaka Shodai of Toyama Prefectural Daimon Senior High School, Japan. Excellence prizes were given to each country’s student: Wang Ruoyu of Shandong Dongying Experimental Middle School, China; Soda Hazuki of Shimane Prefectural Izumo High School, Japan; Eom Yun-ju of Gyeongju Women High School, South Korea; Basankhuu Nominerdene of 2nd School in Uvs Province, Mongolia; Arefyeva Arina of Khabarovsk Territory School No.10, Russia. The 3rd NEAR Youth Essay Contest Awards Ceremony was held on December 17 at the Secretary General’s office in the NEAR Secretariat. Eom Yun-ju, a student of Gyeongju Women High School was awarded and award certificates and prizes will be given to overseas winners. The excellence essay written by Sunagozaka Shodai of Toyama Prefecture will be published in this month’s NEAR News.