K–12 Nationwide Contest
For K-12 Schools
Interdependence
—Mary Parker Follett
is the keynote of the relations of nations as it is the keynote of the relations of individuals within a nation.
In 2026 we've celebrated the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. That Declaration was a remarkable milestone in the history of our nation and the world. But after the Revolutionary War was won and independence as a nation was affirmed, we would be faced with a new challenge, and a new opportunity: learning how to work together and how to best support one another. This work of interdependence has been our work in progress ever since.
The Mary Parker Follett Foundation invites elementary, middle school, and high school classes across America to reflect on interdependence and what it means, and on how we affect, need and depend on each other, and to draft and share Declarations of Interdependence that will illuminate, inspire, and challenge.
Winning submissions in the Elementary, Middle School and High School categories will earn cash prizes for their schools.
In their Declarations, students can consider and express the theme of interdependence in any way they wish.
Possibilities include but are not limited to:
Grand prize winners in each of the grade-level categories will earn a $500 donation for the school that they represent!
Submissions will be evaluated using the criteria here:
All submissions meeting basic criteria will be displayed in an online gallery on the contest website.
Every participant in the class, group, or school (whoever is submitting the Declaration) contributed their thoughts and ideas to the final submission (this criterion is to be self-evaluated).
The declaration must be pertinent to the context and needs of the audience, addressing their specific concerns.
The declaration should be brief and to the point, avoiding unnecessary jargon or lengthy explanations.
The declaration must be factually correct and free of misleading information to maintain credibility.
Encourages individuals to reflect on their thoughts, actions, and relationships.
The declaration reveals new insights and broadens perspectives.
Inspires individuals about current realities and future possibilities.
Content is to the greatest extent original to the students, minimizing the use of elements (quotes, images, etc.) created by others
Presented in a manner that invites exploration and enjoyment.
Demonstrates attention to detail, structure, conventions, and accuracy.
Submission form goes live on the contest website
All entries due — submission window closes
Winning submissions announced in each category
All qualifying declarations displayed in permanent online gallery
If you're ready to run with the Declarations of Interdependence concept, great! If you'd like a little more guidance, download our Teacher's Guide.
This guide includes...
Download Guide
The Mary Parker Follett Foundation (follettfdn.org) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the understanding and practice of democracy as a creative experience, and to supporting the intellectual and literary legacy of Mary Parker Follett. Follett (1868-1933) was a pioneer in the area of human relations, democracy, conflict resolution, leadership, and management. The Declarations of Interdependence Contest was our of our educational mission to build the capacity for creating together in our communities and in our society.
“We are all so separated from each other, that we forgot our interdependence.”
— Elenor Roosevelt
Please use the following form to submit questions about the contest. We will get back to you shortly. Questions and answers will be added to a "Q&A" section on this website as they come in & can be submitted below...