KUCHING: The Green Microfiction Challenge 2022 writing competition is inviting young Malaysians aged 13 to 24 to think critically and write creatively for nature.
The Sarawak Eco-Warriors in a statement said the challenge encourages young writers not only to express their creativity and value towards nature, but also to improve their mastery over the English language.
It said the challenge was developed together with Kuching Beach Cleaners, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus and Swinburne Sarawak Green Club.
The challenge is supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and United Nations Development Programme.
“Through GEF’s small grant programme on youth and climate innovation, the team actively works to empower youths in Malaysia to become better advocates for environmental sustainability.
“To take part in this challenge, participants must be in one of these age groups, namely 13 to 15 years, 16 to 19 years or 20 to 24 years. They must also be residing in Malaysia,” it said yesterday (March 4).
Sarawak Eco-Warriors said the challenge from March 7 to 19 comprised five challenge days, whereby a single word-prompt would be released on the Green Microfiction Challenge website at 9am on every challenge day.
Participants will have 24 hours to interpret, develop, and submit a 500-word story based on the prompt.
Recalling last year’s competition, Sarawak Eco-Warriors said there were 148 submissions based on the prompts “Rafflesia”, “Taboo”, “Reef”, “Sprout” and “Hope”,
“These prompts were selected as they not only complement our local wildlife and environment, but also touch on the need for positivity in a future where humans coexist harmoniously with nature,” it explained.
Cynthiana Jawa, a volunteer from Sarawak Eco-Warriors said it was critical to involve youth in environmental activism.
“I believe youth are a crucial constituency in biodiversity conservation. They have more instruments than ever before to make their opinions known through activisms,” she said.
Individuals who are interested to join can register for the challenge on the website (www.kuchingyounggreen.com/microfiction) and drop an email (sarawakecowarrior@gmail.com) for more information.
