Policy Forum Guyana’s youth arm, with the support of Open Society Foundation, is launching a high-speed painting competition to get young people to think about the lifestyle changes needed to ensure both current and future generations are living in harmony with nature.
The competition, which is scheduled for Saturday, December 3, 2022, along the fence of the Public Buildings, is being held under the theme “Climate-Friendly Lifestyles needed by Guyanese to address the Climate Crisis”.
In a providing a background to the competition, Policy Forum stated that there is need for the development of a nurturing Guyana that esteems the goals of well-being, kindness and equality more than wealth, celebrity and being better than other people.
“When we think of climate change, we think of forests, floods, fires, and hurricanes. We don’t think humans. Yet human lifestyles are the beginning and end of the climate crisis. Modern society discourages human beings from ever being satisfied with what we possess, the house we live in, the car we drive or the phone we use.
“It extends to our appearance, and our possessions, always seeking to attract the esteem of others. We relieve stress by consuming and accumulating things we don’t need or can’t really afford,” it adds, while noting that social media feed these anxieties, setting young people up against each other.
It said entrants in the competition should select one of ten suggested goals or any other that they feel is more important for impacting on the climate crisis.
The suggested goals for achieving climate-compatible Guyanese lifestyles are: 1. A Guyana that protects its rivers and forests; 2. A Guyana that seeks inclusion rather than winners & losers; 3. A mentally and physically Healthier Guyana; 4. A Resource Responsible Guyana; 5. A resilient Guyana; 6. A Guyana of Cohesive Communities; 7. A Guyana that takes young people seriously; 8. A Guyana that recognizes the rights of future generations; 9. A Guyana that recycles, repairs and reuses; and 10. A Guyana that treats everyone humanely.
According to the released guidelines, the competition is open to all youths and they are required to form a team of three (3) persons that can compete within any of the following categories: 10-12 years old; 13-15 years old; 16-18 years old; and 19-25 years old.
The teams would be required to select or depict features of the “Climate-Friendly Lifestyles needed by Guyanese to address the Climate Crisis.”
Interested persons can register their team by contacting Benita at 611-2995 or emailing policyforumguy@gmail.com to inform her of the team’s name, members and the age category it will be competing in.
Persons 18 years and younger would require their parents, guardians or teachers to register their team.
In order to complete their registration, each team must pay a fee of GYD$600 to Benita at the Policy Forum Guyana Office (56B Hadfield and Austin Place). This fee must be paid on or before November 28, 2022.
Once a team is registered, a painting kit (paint, brushes, 3×4 feet white zinc sheet, etc) will be provided to the team at the event.
Policy Forum noted that all entries will be judged based on the following criteria:
● Clear message
● Originality
● Use of Colour
● Creativity
It said prizes will be awarded for the best paintings in each category. Included in the first-place prize is an electronic tablet, additional prizes will be awarded along with a certificate.
Persons with questions, comments or concerns about the organisation or the event are encouraged to make contact at 227-4908, 611-2995 or via email at policyforumguy@gmail.com.
