Young Malaysians Can Win Cash & Prizes by Showing Off Their Writing and Photography Skills

read the original article first published on Says.com here

This Spotlight is sponsored by Maybank Foundation and Perdana Leadership Foundation.

Since the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO), nature has been flourishing with humans required to stay home

Check out this herd of mountain goats window shopping in Wales!

Since March, the world has gone into different forms of lockdown. Since then, reports and headlines have emerged of rivers being cleaner, skies looking clearer, and wild animals emerging (much to everyone’s delight!)

Did you know that turtles have returned to Port Dickson to lay their eggsssss :’) Not just Green Turtles but other species that haven’t yet been identified!

Of course while we’re all eager to go out, lepak with friends, and even go back to school (maybe?), there’s no denying that MCO has shown us how damaging our daily actions have been on the environment

Let’s hope that the new normal includes being kinder to Mother Nature and all her creatures.

We’ve seen how fast the environment has thrived in just over a month of limited human contact, let’s do our part to continually prioritise our planet. Remember, sedikit-sedikit, lama-lama jadi bukit, every little bit helps!

With that in mind, Maybank Foundation and Perdana Leadership Foundation are empowering young Malaysians to raise awareness for climate action

The Writing & Photo Contest 2020 encourages Malaysians to show off their talent in writing and photography… and be rewarded with over RM160,000 in cash and prizes!

Are you passionate about the environment? This is your chance to have your voice heard!

This year’s competition is focused on Climate Action, one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The contest aims to encourage writing and photography skills in youth aged 13 to 23 with three categories – fiction, essays, and photography.

Not only will the contest help raise awareness of national and global issues among Malaysian youth, it also emphasises the importance of communication skills for future leaders.

As the world continues to experience rising sea levels, extreme weather conditions, and increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases, it’s so important for young people to get involved in efforts to reverse climate decline

All jokes aside, it’s young people who are inheriting the planet and their voices are of the utmost importance.

“Empowering Youth for a Better ASEAN” is the overall series theme that Maybank Foundation and Perdana Leadership Foundation have set. The goal is to encourage youth to actively participate in shaping not just their country, but also the region.

The Writing & Photo Contest 2020 includes three categories for two age groups

NON-FICTION WRITING

Age group: 13-17 years old
In 500 to 750 words, write an essay on the following question:
“What can school students do to save the environment and support climate action?“

Age group: 18-23 years old
In 850 to 1,000 words, write an essay on the following question:
“What do you see are the major roadblocks to sustainable development, and how would you as a young leader overcome them?”

*This category is separated into two different language categories; Bahasa Malaysia and English.

FICTION WRITING

Age Group: 13-17 years old
In 500 to 750 words, write a fictional story based on the theme “GLOBAL WARMING”

Age Group: 18-23 years old
In 850 to 1,000 words, write a fictional story based on the theme “CLIMATE CHANGE”

*This category is separated into two different language categories; Bahasa Malaysia and English.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Age group: 13-17 years old
Submit a photo, with up to a 200-word caption on: “SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT”

Age group: 18-23 years old
Submit a photo, with up to a 200-word caption on: “SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT”

The prizes include exclusive experiences, cash, and really cool gadgets!

This year, the first prize winners across all categories will get to participate in a leadership summit or youth camp within the country. All travel, food, and lodging expenses will be fully sponsored!