Petrochemical giants dumped deadly carcinogens during Hurricane Harvey

Gary Joad

As Hurricane and Tropical Storm Harvey bore down on and flooded the northern Gulf Coast last month with an estimated 20 trillion gallons of rain, some 60 plants belonging to the world’s petrochemical giants on the Texas coast began shutdown procedures. During this time they vented and dumped almost a million pounds of some of the most deadly chemical compounds on earth.

“Total air pollutants from all oil and gas facilities added up to 5.6 million pounds,” according to an analysis released September 1 by the Center for Biological Diversity. The deadly cocktail that included benzene, hexane, sulfur dioxide, 1,3-butadiene, and xylene were dumped or spilled during the storm by ExxonMobil, Shell, and Chevron Phillips and other petrochemical giants over a period of eight days beginning August 23.

Reports filed by the refining industry with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) confirmed that residents of Harris County and the surrounding area sustained 61 percent of the un-permitted emissions of toxic dumping than occurred in all of 2016. The dumping of these compounds included over 13 tons of benzene.

Significantly, Houston, Texas has never met national air quality standards since the passage of the Clean Air Act of 1970.

When TCEQ spokeswoman Andrea Morrow was queried about the findings, she was quoted as saying, “All measured concentrations were well below levels of health concern,” and that “local residents should not be concerned about air quality issues related to the effects of the storm.” The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated it was observing the situation with “air quality buses,” though how this was done in the midst of a flood was not explained.

According to a Las Vegas Review-Journal article appearing September 8, the chief Houston Health Department scientist Loren Raun reported that a department air quality monitor measured an astonishing level of 14,000 parts per billion of volatile organic compounds downwind of the Valero Partners refinery on Houston’s east side, where a heavy roof had collapsed into a reservoir of stored chemicals during the storm.

For the duration of the storm-related events, Texas Governor Greg Abbott decreed a temporary suspension of emission regulations. The state’s air quality monitors were also shut off, with the initial explanation that officials made this decision to prevent damage to the expensive instrumentation. Later, air quality spokespersons began telling the press the monitors were damaged during the storm.

Ruben Basurto, a 33-year-old construction worker living two blocks from the refinery reported that the smell drove him and his friends indoors. Cindy Sanchez, 32, told the press that she became sick to her stomach and had eye burning. Nearby Galena Park mothers opened a Facebook page to describe their illnesses, saying the discharge smelled like “sweet gasoline,” or raw sewage in very thick air.

A local environmental activist Juan Flores said, “a lot of people are afraid to talk, because their husbands work at the plants.” He also said many of the residents near the refineries want to see a doctor, but they have no insurance or means to pay.

Daniel Cohan, an environmental scientist at Rice University, pointed out that the refineries, during a significant storm, delay shutdown until the very last moment. When the event is passed, they restart quickly, causing a very dramatic surge in emissions. He added, “These plants are three to four decades old,” and that the facilities are outmoded and badly overdue for modernization.

In 2010, ExxonMobil, Chevron-Phillips, and Shell were sued by the Sierra Club and Environment Texas, and this May were ordered by a federal judge to pay a settlement of $27.8 million. ExxonMobil’s share was $19.9 million and the energy conglomerate filed an appeal.

The federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) issued a Public Health Statement in August, 2007 regarding benzene, noting that it is a colorless liquid with a sweet odor, which can be smelled by humans at about 60 parts per million (ppm) of air, and correctly identified at 100 ppm. Benzene can be tasted in water at 0.5-4.5 ppm, and 1 ppm is about 1 drop in 40 gallons of water. It is in the top 20 chemicals produced in the US, used in making plastic foam and other plastics, some types of rubber, lubricants, dyes, detergents, drugs, and pesticides. It is also present in crude oil, gasoline and cigarettes.

Benzene is also slightly soluble in water, and will make its way from soil into aquifers. About 20 percent of human exposure in the US is from auto exhaust and industrial emissions. Fifty percent enters the body by breathing, and lesser amounts by ingestion and through the skin. Its human metabolites include phenol, muconic acid, and S-phenylmercapturic acid, which are known to cause leukemia and liver cancers.

At least a quarter million workers are significantly exposed to benzene in the US petrochemical and refining industry, tire manufacturing, shoe making, printing, in lab technology, fire fighting, and gasoline stations.

A 5-10 minute respiratory exposure to benzene can be fatal at air levels of 10,000-20,000 ppm, in the range captured by Houston’s health department monitor cited earlier. The compound will produce dizziness, nausea, headaches, rapid heartbeat, drowsiness, and unconsciousness at 700-3000 ppm. The US Department of Health and Human Services, the EPA, and the International Agency for Cancer Research identify benzene as a carcinogen. High levels of benzene inhaled by female workers has produced irregular menses, and has been linked to fetal changes and damaged immune and central nervous systems in experimental animals.

The EPA has estimated that the regular drinking of benzene-contaminated water at 10 ppm, or breathing air with 0.4 ppm would account for one added cancer per 100,000 people annually. The EPA also requires the National Response Center to investigate a spill into the environment of 10 pounds or more of benzene.

In August, 2008, the Environmental Health Perspective Journal published the results of a study titled “Childhood Lymphohematopoietic Cancer Incidence and Hazardous Air Pollutants in Southeast Texas, 1995-2004.” The investigation found in a review of 997 cases of childhood blood and lymphatic systems cancers that “Census tracts (from Houston, Texas and the surrounding eight counties) with the highest benzene levels had elevated rates of all leukemia(s).” The study’s conclusion reads, “Our ecologic analysis suggests an association between childhood leukemia and hazardous air pollution.”

Bakeyah Nelson, executive director of Air Alliance in Houston told the Guardian, “It’s really a serious public health crisis from pollution and other impacts people are facing. Communities in close proximity to these facilities will get the worst of it, as they get the worst of it on a daily basis. There’s also the acute danger of one of these facilities exploding in neighborhoods where storage tanks are adjacent to people’s backyards. It’s a very real threat and it’s a vey precarious situation.”

The Guardian quoted Bryan Parras, who grew up in and lives in the low income East End, “These people have very little political power and the city knows it. The real disaster is that they are poisoning these communities slowly, 24-7.”

A September 5 New York Times article reported that Arkema Company, the French-owned firm whose plant exploded and burned in Crosby, Texas during Hurricane Harvey, had little in its emergency flood plans for power loss to its cooling equipment for storage of organic peroxides, its main product, sold to plastics manufacturers. Company vice president Gilles Galinier in Crosby insisted, “It is not an industrial accident,” instead blaming the severity of the storms, despite the Houston area having experienced so-called 500-year floods each of the last three years. The company worldwide had sales last year of $8.9 billion.

After Hurricane Ike in 2008, Arkema conceded hurricanes and resulting floods were a plant safety issue. But when flood plans were filed with the EPA, there were no provisions for elevating backup generators above the floodwater line. The flooding of emergency generators last month led to the explosions and chemical fires.

At the onset of Harvey, 11 of the 50 Arkema workers in Crosby hurriedly transferred the organic peroxides from the overheated plant building to nine outside refrigerated tanker trucks. The tankers were moved to the highest spot on the Arkema grounds and as far as possible from tanks of sulfur dioxide, a very corrosive gas, and other tanks of isobutylene, a very flammable gas. As it was, all nine tanker trailers and 18 tons of organic peroxides were consumed by fire.

Tom Neltner of the Environmental Defense Fund noted, “They (Arkema) identify new hazards, but don’t change anything in their plans.”

The EPA’s risk management in fact ignores volatile explosive compounds, requiring companies to address risk for 150 identified chemicals selected for flammability and toxicity, but not reactivity. The unstable compound ammonium nitrate is not on the EPA list of monitored chemicals, and caused the 2013 explosion of a fertilizer plant that killed 15 people in the town of West, Texas.

The World Socialist Web Site spoke with a retired oil worker from the ExxonMobil refinery in Beaumont, Texas. “The major refiners are on the Neches River. The Exxon plant in Beaumont and a nearby chemical plant share a water containment facility. I’m sure it overflowed into the river. The public doesn’t hear about runoff and seepage, but the workers in the facility know about oil and processed fluids that are floating underneath us and getting into the ground. You don’t hear about the health of workers either.”

UN Security Council imposes severe sanctions on North Korea

Peter Symonds

Under heavy pressure and threats from Washington, the UN Security Council voted unanimously on Monday evening for harsh new economic sanctions on North Korea following its sixth nuclear test, the largest to date, on September 3. Far from easing tensions in North East Asia, the resolution sets the stage for further US provocations and heightens the danger of military conflict on the Korean Peninsula.

While the US made concessions to China and Russia to obtain their support, the new bans further isolate the North Korean economy and threaten to precipitate an economic and political crisis in Pyongyang. Following on from the Obama administration’s sanctions last year, the Trump administration is not specifically targeting North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs but is seeking to cripple the country economically.

After North Korea’s nuclear test, Washington pressed for a complete oil embargo, a global ban on the use of North Korean workers abroad and a mandate to use military force to inspect ships suspected of carrying goods prohibited under UN resolutions. China and Russia, which fear the US will exploit any crisis in Pyongyang to install a pro-American regime, opposed these sweeping measures.

The compromise UN resolution, however, still imposes severe penalties on North Korea, including:

* An annual cap of 8.5 billion barrels on the sale of refined and crude oil to North Korea. The sale of natural gas and condensates is prohibited to close off possible alternative fuels. A US official told the Washington Post that the figure represents a 30 percent cut.

* UN member states will be required not to renew the contracts of an estimated 93,000 North Korean guest workers, whose wages bring in an estimated $500 million a year to North Korea. The only caveat is for guest workers who are deemed necessary for humanitarian assistance or denuclearisation.

* Countries will also be obliged to inspect ships suspected of carrying North Korean goods that might be banned under UN resolutions. Any ship found to be carrying banned goods will be subject to an asset freeze and may be barred from sailing into ports. The resolution, however, drops the US proposal to allow the use of military force, and the consent of the country in which the ship is registered is required.

* The purchase of all North Korea textiles is banned. Last year textile exports were $726 million, or more than a quarter of North Korea’s total export income.

This comes on top of UN bans last month on the export of coal, iron, iron ore, lead and seafood estimated to be worth $1 billion or about one third of export income.

The resolution did not include a travel ban and asset freeze on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as originally proposed by Washington.

While blocking aspects of the draft US resolution, China announced its own unilateral financial sanctions yesterday that could have a far-reaching impact on North Korea.

The country’s top five banks—Bank of China, China Construction Bank, Agricultural Bank of China, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, and Bank of Communications—will freeze the opening of new accounts by North Korean individuals or companies. Three of the five banks said they had started “cleaning out” existing accounts by blocking new deposits.

The Financial Times pointed out there were ways to circumvent the new ban, including through the use of Chinese citizens as intermediaries. Two Chinese businessmen who run companies in North Korea told the newspaper that all their payments to North Korean staff were in Chinese currency, avoiding the use of Chinese or North Korean banks.

Nevertheless, the new Chinese sanctions will make it far harder for major North Korean enterprises to conduct financial transactions in China—their chief connection to the global financial system.

Beijing’s banking ban is a clear sign of rising tensions with the Pyongyang regime, which has publicly criticised China for supporting UN sanctions. Relations between the two countries, which are formally allies, deteriorated markedly after Kim Jong-un ordered the execution in 2013 of his uncle Jang Song-thaek, who was regarded as close to Beijing.

China’s President Xi Jinping is yet to meet Kim Jong-un, and the last high-level visit by a Chinese official to Pyongyang was nearly two years ago. North Korea’s September 3 nuclear test publicly embarrassed Xi who was hosting a summit of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) leaders at the time.

While not wanting the collapse of the Pyongyang regime, China has opposed North Korea’s nuclear and missile tests because they provide a pretext for the US to maintain and expand its military presence in North East Asia. Beijing also fears that Japan and/or South Korea could exploit the “threat” posed by North Korea to justify building their own nuclear arsenals.

Before the adoption of the latest UN sanctions, North Korea lashed out at the US, warning it would respond in kind if Washington managed to “rig up the illegal and unlawful resolution.” An official statement declared that North Korea would take measures to “cause the US the greatest pain and suffering” it had ever experienced.

Far from defending the North Korean people, this empty nationalist bluster only plays directly into the Trump administration’s hands. The American ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, yesterday suggested the US was not looking for war and North Korea could “reclaim its future” by abandoning its nuclear program. But the Trump administration has repeatedly declared that all options are on the table—including pre-emptive military strikes against North Korea.

Last Thursday, President Donald Trump again threatened to attack North Korea, saying “military action is certainly an option.” While saying he would “prefer not going the route of the military” and it was not inevitable, Trump bluntly warned: “If we do use it on North Korea, it will be a very sad day for North Korea.”

Earlier in the week, Trump huddled together with his top military and national security advisers to review all options, which, according to NBC sources, included the possibility of pre-emptive US nuclear strikes on North Korea.

Sixteen years after 9/11: lies, hypocrisy and militarism

Bill Van Auken

The sixteenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks that killed more than 2,900 people in the United States were marked once again on Monday with ceremonies at the site of the World Trade Center’s demolished Twin Towers, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania where one of four hijacked planes crashed as passengers fought to regain control of the aircraft.

Thousands gathered in New York City for the solemn reading of the names of those who lost their lives to a criminal and reactionary terrorist attack that served only the interests of US and world imperialism, which ever since have exploited the events to justify wars of aggression and attacks on democratic rights the world over.

The genuine emotions of sorrow and remembrance shared by those who lost loved ones on 9/11 once again stood in sharp contrast to the banality and hypocrisy of the official commemorations staged by US officials.

This longstanding dichotomy reached a new level with the main speech of the day delivered by the fascistic billionaire con-man President Donald Trump at the Pentagon Monday. Trump, whose first reaction on the day of the attacks was to brag—falsely—that the toppling of the Twin Towers had made his own property at 40 Wall Street the tallest building in lower Manhattan, delivered remarks that consisted of barely warmed-over platitudes from previous addresses, repeated tributes to the American flag and a vow to “defend our country against barbaric forces of evil and destruction.”

Trump repeated the well-worn cliché that on September 11 “our whole world changed.” The phrase is meant to suggest that the unending wars, police state measures and sweeping changes in American political life over the past 16 years have all been carried out in response to the supposedly unforeseen and unforeseeable events of September 11, having nothing to do with anything that came before.

That this is a cynical and self-serving lie becomes clearer with every passing year.

On the eve of the anniversary, new revelations emerged linking Saudi Arabia, Washington’s closest ally in the Arab world, to the preparation of the September 11 attacks, in which 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudi citizens. The corporate media, which published nothing of any significance on the anniversary, largely blacked out this new evidence. The New York Timesmarked the anniversary with an editorial detailing efforts by the New York City medical examiner to identify human remains.

A federal lawsuit on behalf of the families of some 1,400 of the 9/11 victims has presented evidence that the Saudi embassy in Washington financed what was apparently a “dry run” for the 9/11 attacks in 1999. Two Saudi agents posing as students boarded an America West flight from Phoenix to Washington, D.C. with tickets paid for by the Saudi embassy. The lawsuit states that both men had trained in Al Qaeda camps in Afghanistan with some of the 9/11 hijackers. While on the flight, the two asked flight attendants technical questions about the plane that raised suspicions and twice attempted to enter the cockpit, leading the pilot to carry out an emergency landing in Ohio. Both men were detained and questioned by the FBI, which decided not to pursue any prosecution.

This is only the latest in a long series of revelations that have made it abundantly clear that the events of 9/11 could never have taken place without substantial logistical support from high places. Despite the repeated claims that the attacks “changed everything,” there has never been an independent and objective investigations into how they were carried out. And, despite being what is ostensibly the most catastrophic intelligence failure in American history, no one was ever held accountable with so much as a firing or a demotion.

What evidence has emerged makes it clear that the 9/11 hijackers were able to freely enter the country and attend flight schools despite the fact that a number of those involved had been subjects of surveillance by the CIA and FBI for as long as two years before the attack. Two of them actually lived in the home of an FBI informant.

Twenty-eight pages of heavily redacted documents released in 2016 after being concealed from the public for 13 years established that Saudi intelligence officers funneled substantial amounts of money to the hijackers in the run-up to the 9/11 attacks, while assisting them with finding housing as well as flight schools to attend.

While Saudi Arabia was the government most active in carrying out the September 11 attacks, the involvement of Saudi intelligence really means the involvement of a section of the American state apparatus. This is not a matter of conspiracy theories, but established fact. It is bound up with very real conspiracies involving the CIA, Afghanistan and Al Qaeda going back to the Islamist group’s founding as an arm of Washington’s dirty war against the Soviet-backed government of Afghanistan in the 1980s.

Far from the attacks having “changed everything,” they provided the pretext for acts of military aggression long in preparation. In the wake of the dissolution of the Soviet Union a decade earlier, the ruling class initiated a policy developed to use US military might to offset the decline of American capitalism on the world arena. Afghanistan and Iraq were targeted to secure military dominance over two major oil- and gas-producing regions on the planet, the Caspian Basin and the Middle East.

This thoroughly criminal enterprise, justified in the name of 9/11’s victims, has claimed the lives of over 1 million Iraqis and hundreds of thousands of Afghans and unleashed the greatest refugee crisis since the Second World War.

The invocation of a “war on terror”—passed down from Bush to Obama and now to Trump—to justify these crimes has become not only threadbare, but patently absurd. The results of 16 years of uninterrupted US wars of aggression have included an unprecedented growth of Al Qaeda and related Islamist militias, largely as a result of US imperialism’s utilization of these elements as proxy ground forces in wars for regime change in Libya and Syria.

Moreover, the multiple wars and interventions conducted by the Pentagon and the CIA, from North Africa to Central Asia, can quickly metastasize into a global conflagration, with Washington simultaneously threatening nuclear war against North Korea and pursuing increasingly dangerous confrontations with its principal geo-strategic rivals, Russia and China.

September 11 did not “change everything,” but it did mark the beginning of an escalation of what George W. Bush called the “wars of the twenty-first century,” that is, escalating imperialist aggression that is leading mankind toward a third world war.

Emory University Scholars Program for International Students 2018/2019

Application Timeline: Deadline: 15th November, 2017.

October–January: Application review by Admission, Scholars, and Faculty committees
By February 15: Scholar notifications announced. Finalists will be notified.
Mid-April: Finalist awards and Scholar Programs membership announced
May 1: Enrollment deposit deadline

Offered annually? Yes

Eligible Countries: International

To be taken at (country): Emory University, Georgia, United States.

About the Award:  The aim of the campus scholar community is to empower students, through distinct resources and support, to reach their full potential and have a notable impact on the university, Atlanta, and the greater global community.

Type: Undergraduate

Qualities of an Emory Scholar: These are the seeds, the makings of an Emory Scholar. Emory University seeks grounded individuals who are looking to grow and build on these strong qualities and give of their talents to the Emory community and beyond:

• Intellectual curiosity
• Creative Thinking
• Servant Leadership
• Communication Skills
• Contribution to community

Selection Criteria: To be guaranteed consideration for the Emory University Scholar selection process students must submit all required application materials by the November 15 Emory University Scholar Programs deadline. Applicants will need to select one of Emory’s three admission decision plans (Early Decision I, Early Decision II, or Regular Decision). Please note students applying Early Decision I (EDI) may apply for the Scholar Programs, but need to meet the EDI November 1 deadline for all application materials.

Finalist interviews for Emory Scholars take place in mid-March. If you are a finalist, you will be brought to Emory (at no expense to you) for activities designed to help you become better acquainted with programs and opportunities at Emory and to aid the Goizueta Scholars Selection Committee in making its final choices for the various awards. Attendance is mandatory for all Scholar finalists.

Number of Awardees: Roughly 175-200

Value of Scholarship: Partial or fully-funded

Duration of Scholarship: 4 years

How to Apply:

Visit Scholarship Webpage for details

Award Provider: Emory University

Trust for Sustainable Living (TSL) International Primary and Secondary Schools Essay Competition and Debate 2018

Application Deadline: 15th December 2017.

Offered annually? Yes

Eligible Countries: All

To be taken at (country): The Challenge winners will be announced at the 2018 Debates & Awards in the Seychelles.

About the Award: The Trust for Sustainable Living is pleased to invite schoolchildren around the world to write open letters to the soon-to-be-elected new UN Secretary General, outlining their ideas for practical climate action. The annual essay competition and debate are aimed at primary students (ages 7-11) and secondary students (ages 11-17), supported by Teacher Champions in formal and home schools.

In addition to the essay competition, the Trust for Sustainable Living runs a parallel international contest called the Schools Sustainability Challenge. Teacher Champions are invited to submit short videos showcasing their schools’ best sustainability projects. Schools are welcome to participate in both contests. The Challenge winners will be announced at the 2018 Debates & Awards in the Seychelles.

Type: Competition

Eligibility: Students are invited to write an essay outlining their thoughts on climate action, in English, as follows:

Each student is invited to submit one essay in English, entitled:

Primary students (ages 7-11): ‘My plan to protect and manage our oceans, seas and marine resources’ (max. 400 words)

Secondary students (ages 11-17): ‘My plan to protect and manage our oceans, seas and marine resources’ (max. 600 words)

For each category, schools are invited to submit up to 30 essays online. (These must be submitted by the Teacher Champion, using the login details provided at registration. We regret that paper and emailed copies cannot be accepted, and essays more than 10% over the word limit will be automatically rejected.)

Selection Proceess: An international panel of judges, drawn from experts and educationalists in the field, will select the winning entries for each age category. The essays will be judged for originality and creative thinking and the potential to contribute to a broad-ranging and constructive international dialogue on future pathways for climate action. The winning essays will be published on the competition website.

Number of Awardees: 5 finalists, 1 winner and lots of consolation prizes.

Value of Competition: One overall Grand Prize winner (plus Teacher Champion and parent) will win a free trip to the TSL 2018 Debates & Awards in the Seychelles, which will take place during the first week of July 2018. In addition, medals will be awarded in each category for the top ten essays and for the best individual and group contributions at the Debates.

All participating students and Teacher Champions will be invited to attend the Debates & Awards.

Timeline/Duration of Competition: 

• 7 September to 15 December 2017 – School/Teachers register to participate as Teacher Champions.
• 15 December 2017 at midnight GMT  – Deadline for submission of essays (and Schools Sustainability Challenge videos).
• 31 January 2018 – All schools notified of winning Finalists and Honourable Mentions, and invited to attend the Debates & Awards.
• 31 May 2018 – Registration deadline for the Schools Debates & Awards (registration is compulsory to attend).
• 2-7 July 2018 – International Schools Debates, Awards and Visits, Victoria, Seychelles. In addition to the Primary and Secondary School Debates, which will take place on consecutive days, participants will enjoy a special programme of ocean-themed visits and events, including CPD for Teacher Champions in support of the global, UNESCO-led Education for Sustainable Development programme. All participants other than the Grand Prize Winner are responsible for making their own travel arrangements (e.g. flights, transfers, accommodation, subsistence and miscellaneous costs).

How to Apply: Apply here

Visit Competition Webpage for details

Award Provider: The Trust for Sustainable Living (TSL)

Important Notes: Subscribe to the newsletter (using the form in the sidebar of ), to receive periodic updates and announcements about the competition.

Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowship for Women from Developing Countries 2018/2019

Application Deadline: 17th November, 2017 for the 2018 Fellowships (the deadline for reference letters is 24th November 2017).

Offered annually? Yes

Eligible Countries: Developing Countries and Emerging Economies

To be taken at: Top universities abroad

Accepted Subject Areas: Physical sciences and related disciplines

About Fellowship: Each year, The Faculty for the Future fellowships, Launched by the Schlumberger Foundation, are awarded to women from developing and emerging economies who are preparing for PhD or post-doctoral study in the physical sciences and related disciplines at top universities for their disciplines abroad. Grant recipients are selected for their leadership capabilities as for their scientific talents, and are expected to return to their home countries to continue their academic careers and inspire other young women.

Launched by the Schlumberger Foundation in 2004, the Faculty for the Future community now stands at 257 women from 62 countries, and grows steadily each year.

Offered Since: 2004

Type: PhD/PostDoctoral, Fellowship

Selection Criteria: A successful application will have gone through four selection rounds, with the reviewers paying particular attention to the following criteria:

• Academic performance;
• Quality of references;
• Quality of host country university;
• Level of commitment to return to home country;
• Commitment to teaching;
• Relevance of research to home country;
• Commitment to inspiring young women into the sciences.

Eligibility: Applicants must meet all the following criteria:

• Be a woman;
• Be a citizen of a developing country or emerging economy;
• Wish to pursue a PhD degree or Post-doctoral research in the physical sciences or related disciplines;
• Have applied to, have been admitted to, or are currently enrolled in a university/research institute abroad;
• Wish to return to their home country to continue their academic career upon completion of their studies;
• Be very committed to teaching and demonstrate active participation in faculty life and outreach work to encourage young women into the sciences;
• Hold an excellent academic record.

Number of fellowships: Several

Value of Award: Faculty for the Future grants are awarded based on the actual costs of studying and living in the chosen location, and is worth USD 50,000 for PhDs and USD 40,000 for Post-doctoral study. Grants may be renewed through to completion of studies subject to performance, self-evaluation and recommendations from supervisors.

How to Apply: Interested candidates may Apply here

Visit Scholarship Webpage for Details

Sponsors: The Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future

Important Notes: Final selection is based in part on the standard of your application and accompanying materials;
Your application should highlight aspects about you and your career that will give the reviewer a focused yet well-rounded view of your candidature. Read and follow the instructions from the link below carefully. The instructions are your guide to producing a comprehensive and competitive application;

Enter for Carnegie Council Student/Teacher Essay Contest 2017

Essay Submission Deadline: 31st December, 2017

About Contest: From climate change, to refugees, to terrorism, many of the greatest problems facing us in the 21st century transcend national borders. All involve ethical issues, such as fairness, rights, and responsibilities.

Essay Topic:  In your opinion, what is the greatest ethical challenge facing the world today?

In your opinion, what is the world’s greatest challenge, and how does it affect your local community and/or the world? What are the ethical issues involved and how can we work together to overcome this problem?

Type: Contest

Eligibility: 

• All teachers, at whatever level, are eligible.
• All students, from high school students through graduate students, are eligible. Non-students are automatically disqualified.
• Collaborative essays between students and teachers are welcome.
• Previous winners and honorable mentions are not eligible.

Essay Requirements

• Style: Op-ed style (not academic, footnoted papers)
• Length: 1,000 to 1,500 words
• Format: Blog post on www.globalethicsnetwork.org. English language entries only.
• Limit: One entry per person.

Essay Winners’ Prizes
1st prize: $250 Amazon Gift Certificate
2nd prize: $150 Amazon Gift Certificate
3rd prize: $75 Amazon Gift Certificate
All winners also receive a copy of Ethics & International Affairs: A Reader

How to Apply:

1. Join the free Global Ethics Network (GEN) website: www.globalethicsnetwork.org.
2. Post your essay in the blog section and tag it with #essaycontest2017.
3. Please include the following:
   • Your full name.
   • The name of your school.
   • Indicate whether you are a teacher or a student, and at what level (high school, undergraduate, graduate).

(www.carnegiecouncil.org), established in 1914 by Andrew Carnegie, is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing understanding of the relationship between ethics and international affairs.

Visit Program Webpage for Details

Award Providers: The Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs

Carnegie Council International Student Photo Contest 2017

Application Deadline: 31st December 2017

Offered Annually? Yes

Eligible Countries: All

About the Award: This year’s topic is Climate Change: Send us your photos that show examples of climate change OR examples of combating or adapting to climate change.

The contest will be conducted on Carnegie Council’s Global Ethics Network, CC’s social media platform for exploring the role of ethics in international relations. Check out previous winners on this theme and see below for details on how to participate.

Topic: Climate Change: Send us your photos that show examples of climate change OR examples of combating or adapting to climate change.

Type: Contest

Eligibility: 

• All students of every nationality are eligible.
• Non-students will be disqualified.
• The minimum age is 13.
• Previous winners or honorable mentions are not eligible.
• All photos must be your original work. Collage, cropping, and use of software such as Photoshop is permitted.

Number of Awards: 2

Value of Award: 

• 1st prize:$200 Amazon Gift Certificate
• 2nd prize (two): $100 Amazon Gift Certificate
• Winning photos may be posted on other Carnegie Council websites.

How to Apply: 

• Join the free Global Ethics Network (GEN) website: www.globalethicsnetwork.org.
• Upload your photo in the photo section of the website.
• Please explain each image in 250 words or less.
• Include your full name, school affiliation, and nationality in the following format:

[Full Name]
[School Affiliation]
Nationality: [Country Name]

• Tag the blog post with #photo2017 and publish it. Please allow 24 hours for approval.
• Entries are limited to 3 photos per person.

Visit the Program Webpage for Details

Award Providers: Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs

Important Notes: In order to ensure high quality reproduction, we will require larger versions of the winning photos. All participants must be able to submit a high-resolution version of their photographs upon request (at least 300 dpi at 3,000 pixels on the longest side).

Harvard University Nieman-Berkman Klein Fellowship in Journalism Innovation 2017

Application Deadline: 

• International journalists: 1st December, 2017
• U.S. journalists (U.S. citizens): 31st January, 2018

Eligible Countries: International

To Be Taken At (Country): Boston, USA

About the Award: The Nieman Foundation for Journalism and the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard share a set of common interests around journalism, innovation, and the evolution of the digital space, and both have longstanding fellowship programs that offer a year of learning and collaboration with others in the Harvard community.

Proposals from Nieman-Berkman Klein Fellowship candidates may deal with any issue relating to journalism’s digital transformation. Examples include ideas for new revenue streams to fund journalism, the construction of new tools for reporting, or research into news consumption patterns. Candidates must explain how their proposals will benefit journalism.

On campus, Nieman-Berkman Klein Fellows draw upon the wealth of resources available at Harvard and in the surrounding area for their work. Along with the Nieman Foundation and the Berkman Klein Center, Cambridge is home to institutions such as the Harvard Business School, MIT’s Center for Civic Media, the Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations, the Shorenstein Center for Press, Politics and Public Policy, the Harvard Innovation Lab (i-lab) and other centers interested in journalism’s evolution.

Nieman-Berkman Klein Fellows are expected to fully participate in both the Nieman and Berkman Klein fellowship programs and serve as a bridge between them. They also are expected to share the results of their work with other fellows and through the Nieman Journalism Lab.

Type: Fellowship

Eligibility: 

• The Nieman-Berkman Klein Fellowship is open to both U.S. and international applicants.
• Candidates should either be working journalists or work for a news organization in a business, technology, or leadership capacity.
• Freelance journalists are welcome to apply.

Number of Awards: Not spedified

Value and Duration of Award: Those selected for the program spend two full semesters at Harvard auditing classes with some of the university’s greatest thinkers, participating in Nieman events and collaborating with peers. Nieman Fellows are also able to audit classes at other local universities including MIT and Tufts.

How to Apply: Candidates who want to apply for the 2018-2019 Nieman-Berkman Klein Fellowships should complete either the international fellowship application or the U.S. fellowship application and indicate interest in being considered for the Nieman-Berkman Klein program in the appropriate section.

Visit the Program Webpage for Details

Award Providers: The fellowship is a collaboration between the Nieman Foundation for Journalism and the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard.

UNIDO/Energy Academy Europe (EAE) Training for Developing Countries 2017

Application Deadline: 15th September 2017.

Eligible Countries: Developing Countries

To Be Taken At (Country): The Netherlands

About the Award: UNIDO and the Energy Academy Europe (EAE), a centre of excellence on energy located in Groningen, the Netherlands joint forces to enhance the understanding of innovative energy solutions and to contribute to building new capacities for promoting green industry and sustainable energy systems in developing countries.

In order to address the prevailing social and environmental challenges in a sustainable and lasting manner, UNIDO promotes inclusive and sustainable industrial development. One important aspect of it is the necessity to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy in industrial production. Considering that energy inputs represent an important cost of production for industries, clean energy and energy efficiency have progressively become core determinants of economic competitiveness and sustained growth.

Type: Training

Eligibility: 

• Participation is open to mid-level professionals from emerging and developing countries with expertise in industrial development, energy and environment, and other relevant fields.
• Participants are expected to have prior understanding and/or practical knowledge of issues related to industrial energy efficiency, renewable energy, low emission and low carbon energy technologies, as well as energy policy and regulatory frameworks.

Selection Criteria: Participants will be selected based on their application package.

Number of Awards: 25

Value of Award: 

• The 8-day course will provide participants the opportunity to familiarize themselves with trends in sustainable energy solutions.
• Accommodation, catering and travel will be financed by UNIDO

Duration of Program: 15 – 22 November 2017

How to Apply: To apply, please visit: https://institute.unido.org/sustainable-energy-solutions-2017-application-form

Visit the Program Webpage for Details

Award Providers: UNIDO and the Energy Academy Europe (EAE)

PepsiCo Change The Game Challenge for Innovative Students and Young Professionals (Win a trip to Dubai, New York + Internship) 2017

Application Deadline: 6th October 2017

Eligible Countries:

• Middle East North Africa (MENA) Region: Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan,  United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Asia Pacific Region: Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, Korea ( Nationals & Residents).
• Indian Region: India

About the Award: Change The Game is a 4 stage challenge open to individuals with undergraduate and post graduate backgrounds, as well as working professionals with up to 3 years’ experience, who are keen to make their mark globally.

Do you have what it takes to team up with PepsiCo and help us advance our nutrition product portfolio by 2020? 
You need to focus your idea around the following scenario:
“You have been given 100,000 US dollars to start your own health and nutrition business in the food and beverages space. Which health and nutrition business will you start and why?”

PepsiCo will provide the tools necessary to grow your idea and bring it to life.

Type: Contest

Eligibility: The Programme is open to the following participants:

Nationals of (A) India (“India Region Participants”); (B) Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, UAE and KSA (“Middle East North Africa (MENA) Region Participants”) and; (C) Pakistan and Philippines (“Asia Pacific (APAC) Region Participants”) who are

• Between the ages of 18 (eighteen) and 30 (thirty) years as on 1st September, 2017 and
• Students pursuing graduation and post-graduation from any university (could be any year); or
• Participants who have just obtained their graduate or post graduate degree(s) from any university; or
• Having up to 3 (three) years of work experience from the date of obtaining the last bachelor or master degree.

Nationals and Residents of the Republic of Korea and Thailand who are

• Between the ages of 18 (eighteen) and 30 (thirty) years as on 1st September, 2017 and
• Students pursuing graduation from any university (could be any year) within or outside APAC Region; or
• Participants who have just obtained their graduate or post graduate degree(s)- from any university within or outside the APAC Region; or
• Having up to 3 (three) years of experience from the date of obtaining their last bachelor or master degree.

Value of Award: Win a trip to New York to present your business idea to our global CEO & enjoy an international experience with PepsiCo!

The top regional winning teams from Asia Pacific, India and the Middle east & North Africa will receive a regional job offer or internship. They will be eligible to go on an all-expenses paid trip to Dubai where they will compete for the finals where they could win an all-expenses paid trip to New York to present their business idea to out Chairman & CEO Indra Nooyi. This will be followed by a yearlong international experience OR a 2 month international internship across one of our locations in Asia Pacific, India and the Middle East & North Africa.

Regional first runners up will receive either a local job offer or 1 week shadow experience with our local business leaders.

Regional second runners up will receive a local shadow experience for 1 day with a PepsiCo Leader.

How to Apply: Register

Visit the Program Webpage for Details

Award Providers: PepsiCo

International Finance Corporation Young Professionals Program 2017

Application Deadline: Tuesday, 10th October 2017

Offered Annually: Yes

To Be Taken At (Country): Successful candidates will start in Washington DC and build their expertise through hands on assignments and transactions in different countries.

About the Award: IFC’s Young Professionals Program is a unique opportunity to launch your career as a global investment professional helping to build the private sector in developing countries. You will join as an Associate in the Investment, Advisory or Treasury streams and will be based in Washington DC for at least one year. You will build your expertise through engagements in different countries, close to IFC’s clients.

You will be recruited as an Associate Investment Officer (AIO). AIO’s are part of a multidisciplinary team focused on identifying investment opportunities, executing transactions and actively managing portfolio projects. In this role, your objectives will be to maximize the impact of IFC’s intervention and contribute to the development of our countries of operation by executing innovative, developmental, and profitable investments for IFC.

Fields of Recruitment: 

• Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services
  • Agribusiness and Forestry
  • Health and Education
  • Manufacturing
  • Tourism, Retail and Property
• Financial Institutions
• Infrastructure
• Oil, Gas and Mining
• Public-Private Partnerships (Advisory)
• Telecoms, Media and Technology
• Treasury and Syndication (Product)

Type: Internships/Jobs

Eligibility: 

• The program is open to final year students working toward an advanced degree such as an MBA, JD, other relevant Masters degrees or recent graduates.
• You should be able to demonstrate a track record of success in your prior work experience and have a strong interest in working in Emerging Markets.
• The AIO’s should have 3 to 6 years of prior relevant work experience (investment banking, project finance, private equity, corporate finance, portfolio management, management consulting or Treasury).

Other requirements:

• Current students or recent graduates of MBA or similar program
• Strong analytical and credit assessment skills, as well as solid understanding of accounting and financial statement analysis
• Knowledge of relevant industry sector trends, sound business judgment and problem solving, negotiation and commercial skills
• Enthusiasm for working in multi-cultural teams and across borders, preferably with experience working in developing countries
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, fluency in other languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese, Spanish or Russian) is a plus
• Willingness to travel extensively and geographic flexibility

Number of Awards: Not specified

Value of Award: 

• 3-year program with 2 to 3 rotational assignments either in a regional hub or a different industry department or in another World Bank Group institution
• Participating units include Financial Institutions Group; Infrastructure and Natural Resources; Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services; TMT, Venture Capital & Funds; Public Private Partnership; and Treasury and Syndications
• Leadership exposure and development that provides strong opportunities for growth
• Active coaching throughout the program

How to Apply: APPLY HERE

Visit the Program Webpage for Details

Award Providers: International Finance Corporation