The Short Story Writing Competition is a sub-event in conjunction with UNESCO World Futures Day Celebration 2021, organized by Sejahtera Centre for Sustainability and Humanity (IIUM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) and The Good Society (IIUM), supported by the Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO (NATCOM).

BACKGROUND

This event serves as a platform that encourages children and young people across the country to share their unique perspectives and analyses on futures through storytelling. It aims to foster one’s creative, imaginative, and critical thinking in creating a future that favours sustainability and well-being.

CONCEPT

The youth of today are the hope of our future. The persistent challenge remains that whether Malaysia is heading towards progress and development that are sustainable, in other words, “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” It is time for Malaysian youth to share your narratives, visions, and aspirations in imagining possible futures that concern the generation.

THEME

Youth and the Future of Sustainability

OBJECTIVES

• To motivate young writers to produce writings that are attuned to current issues and futures thinking
• To make the conversation around futures thinking more accessible to a young audience
• To exhibit the narratives of the desired futures of the young generations

PRIZES

Age Category8-12 years old13-17 years old18-30 years old
First PlaceRM 700RM 1000RM 1300
Second PlaceRM 500RM 700RM 1000
Third PlaceRM 300RM 500RM 700
ConsolationRM 100RM 100RM 100

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
• Malaysian
• Age 8 – 30 years old

SUBMISSION STANDARDS
• Please submit text only without any illustrations
• Language: English
• Topic: Any that is relevant within the theme
• Genre: Fiction or non-fiction
• Status: Original and unpublished piece of work only
• File type: Words document (.doc/.docx)
• Title: “Full Name – Age – Topic”
• Format: Font – Times New Roman | Font Size – 12 | Spacing – 1.5 | Paragraph: Justified
• Quantity: One entry only per individual
• Length:

Age Category 8-12 years old 13-17 years old 18-30 years old
Word Range1,500 – 4,000 words2,500 – 8,000 words3,000 – 10,000 words

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The organizer reserves the right to accept or reject entries following the eligibility criteria and submission standards.

• The organizer may publish winning entries on our website.
• Only winners and shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• The judges’ decision is final and any correspondence will not be entertained.
• The organizer reserves the right to reject and accept entries following the eligibility criteria and standards.
• Only winners and shortlisted entrants will be contacted and shall agree to have their works published on our website.
• The judges’ decision is final and any correspondence will not be entertained.

DEADLINE (NEW)
13 January 2022 (11:59 PM)

SUBMISSION (CLOSED)
CLICK HERE

Social Media:

Sejahtera Centre for Sustainability and Humanity, IIUM

The Good Society, IIUM