In accordance with Resolution 361(XV) of the General Conference of OPANAL,
adopted on July 10, 1997, during its XV Regular Session held in Mexico City, the
Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean
announces its thesis competition
"Annual OPANAL Prize for the Best Thesis Submitted by Alumni of the Universities of
the Member States and other Interested Parties States."

Objective

To recognize and encourage students to research and prepare thesis projects at the undergraduate and graduate level on the important topic of the Treaty of Tlatelolco and its influence in the creation of future Nuclear Weapon-Free Zones as well as topics surrounding International Law.

Rules

Candidates from universitites or institutions of higher learning in any of the Member or Observer States are eligible for the award.

The papers presented should address issues of interest for the region, like disarmament, the peaceful use of nuclear energy, the Treaty of Tlatelolco, Nuclear Free-Zones, etc.

Guidlines for submission

• Papers should be submitted in written form accompanied by information explaining the candidates' career choice (short Curriculum Vitae.
• Papers written by one or more authors are eligible for submission.
• Submissions must include a cover letter, abstract, and the complete text of the paper (5 copies).
• Cover letters should contain the candidates' personal data.
• Abstracts should not exceed five typewritten pages.
• Complete documents should not exceed, if possible, 150 typewritten pages and should contain information related to the objectives, prospects, and scope of the Treaty of Tlatelolco, as well as the possibilities of its application in other areas of international law or applied sciences for the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

The Jury

The jury shall consist of one representative from each of the Member States on the Council and the Sectretary General of OPANAL.

Presentation of Awards

The deadline for receiving submissions is ____________. Each year on February 14, the Anniverary of the Opening for Signature of the Treaty of Tlatelolco, the winner will be awarded US$2,000 as well as a Certificate of Recognition for first place. The other participantes will receive a Certificate of Recognition and Participation. In the winners are in Mexico the awards ceremony will take place at OPANAL headquarters. Otherwise, the awards will be sent to the participant's national embassy so that the awards may be presented at a special ceremony in that national's capital.

Submissions should be delivered or sent to OPANAL headquarters.