GuyberNet a local youth development centre recently launched a writing competition, the first activity in a series under its CONTACT Project.

According to a press release the CONTACT Project; Conflict Transfor-mation through Cultural Exchange aims to equip youth with the tools for positive engagement.  The project is being supported by the Inter-American Development Bank Cultural Centre. Vice-Chairman Norwell Hinds said youth from ages eight to 25 can submit essays, short stories or poems to enter the competition.

The judges’ panel comprises former Justice Donald Trotman and former Secretary-General of the Guyana Commission for UNESCO Carmen Jarvis.

Trotman said the competition and project are a “right step in the right direction” and invited all students and other young persons to participate.  Meanwhile, Jarvis recalled GuyberNet’s “committed and consistent work in this area and for and with young people.” She said too that GuyberNet had been the most committed and active member of the UNESCO Clubs and was unmatched in terms of enthusiasm when UNESCO launched its ‘Culture of Peace’ initiative some years ago.

The release said the topic for entrants ages 17 to 25 is ‘What mechanisms you would create to advance Guyana’s multicultural identity and generate livelihoods.

The essay should have 1000 to 1200 words. The first prize is worth $50,000, second, $30,000 and third, $20,000. Youth ages 13 to 16 are asked to submit a short story including the line, ‘although they came from different places, the experience taught them the lasting value of unity in overcoming conflict.’ The story should relate to a community and should appeal to a personal or community effort and demonstrate cooperation by a diverse group to overcome a challenge. It must be 800-1000 words long. The winner will receive $30,000, second place $15,000 and third place $10,000. In the eight to 12-year range entrants must submit a poem on the theme ‘Cultures, as colours, abound all around.” The first prize is $15,000, second, $10,000 and third $5,000.

GuyberNet said entries must be submitted by February 28. They can be emailed to gybernet@networksgy.com or mailed to address CONTACT Writing Competition, C/o GuyberNet, 112 New Market Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown. Each entry must be accompanied by a cover page that includes name, age, date of birth, address and a telephone number.

Names should only appear on the cover page. GuyberNet said too all submissions must be original and no material previously published will be accepted. It also reserves the right to publish the winning submissions.