The IDB Cultural Center is hosting a Regional Short Story Competition which seeks to encourage young people to use their creative abilities to formulate views of a better tomorrow.
In a press release the IDB said since its founding 50 years ago it has been working for a better tomorrow in Latin America and the Caribbean. To help construct a more prosperous future in the Region it has set five priority initiatives: poverty reduction, education, sustainable energy and climate change, water and sanitation and opportunities for the majority.
In order to achieve this it is hosting the competition open to writers between the ages of 16 and 20 born in one of the borrowing member states of the Inter-American Development Bank. The first prize winner will receive US$3,000, the second US$2,000 and the third, $1,000.
The IDB hopes that the competition will broaden discussions on the economic and social challenges affecting the Region; inspire the public to consider alternatives for creating a brighter future and allow the sharing of dreams and stories related to the Region’s future. The content must relate to aspects of the economic and social reality of the Region and focus on one of the IDB’s five priority initiatives.
Short stories must be no more than 1,000 words, typed double-spaced on letter size paper (8 ½ x 11 inches), using a 12-point font with 1 ½ margins all around. They may be submitted in English, Spanish, French or Portuguese.
Short stories must have been written during or after August 2009 by one author and not have been published yet, either electronically or in print. Poetry and essays are not eligible. For more information on the rules entrants are invited to visit the IDB website located at http://www.iadb.org.topics/
The story must be accompanied by the following information on a separate sheet: writer’s full name, date and place of birth, e-mail address, postal address, telephone number, portrait style colour photo and a descriptive paragraph explaining the concept of the story within the context of the IDB’s work. The release said failure to submit the required information and materials may be reason for disqualification and added that the Centre is not responsible for items that are damaged en route or cannot be opened electronically. Writers selected for prizes will be notified by e-mail no later than December 1.
The Center will appoint a jury to award three prizes and their decision is final. After the contest, the IDB may consider publishing the winning stories on its webpage along with others recommended by the jury. The deadline for submitting entries is November 1. Stories must be delivered in Microsoft Word (.doc) to ANNEV@iadb.org.