As environmental issues affecting the planet and humankind became more pressing over recent decades, it has become more urgent to mobilise all stakeholders to address these concerns effectively. Among the main stakeholders are non other than the youth who constitute a large part of the world’s population, and who have a powerful role in protecting the environment and in charting the future both globally and locally.
It is against this backdrop that Angkatan Zaman Mansang Sarawak (AZAM Sarawak), as a partner of the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), Sarawak in the Youth Green X-Change (YGCX) campaign, is organizing two contests – The YGXC Best Writer Award and the Best Speaker Award 2021.
The contests which are open to all Sarawak students and youth aged 15-30 years old are the latest in a series of activities under the year-long YGXC programme organized by NREB in collaboration with AZAM Sarawak, Trienekens, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Malaysia, and Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Kuching.
The YGXC Best Writer Award aims to provide an avenue for young Sarawakians to engage with the general public through thoughtful and creative expressions of their environmental knowledge through writing.
Meanwhile, the YGXC Best Speaker Award hopes to enhance environmental advocacy among the youths through effective public speaking skills.
Admission for the contests is free. The contests will run from 23 July to 23 August 2021. There are four categories under the contests:
- Group A (Ages 15-19) – English Language
- Group B (Ages 15-19) – Bahasa Malaysia
- Group C (Ages 20-30) – English Language
- Group D (Ages 20-30) – Bahasa Malaysia
The first prize winner will win RM800, while the second and third winner will take home RM600 and RM300 respectively for the age group of 15-19, while for the age group of 20-30, the winner will win RM1,000, followed by the second and third winner will take home RM800 and RM600 respectively.
“The Best Writer Award and Best Speaker Award are the latest efforts to provide the youth with exciting platforms to voice their concerns, views and recommendations on a number of environmental issues especially those affecting Sarawak”, said Madam Peggy Ronin Edin, Controller of Environmental Quality, NREB during the launching speech.
It is hoped that these activities will eventually spark conversations and continuous positive exchanges between the youth and other key stakeholders such as the local authorities, industry players and the media, to advocate for environmental sustainability.
“This is to ensure that Sarawak will be on the right path towards a truly balanced development that boosts the people’s quality of life”, she added.
“I wish to take this opportunity to invite our youths aged 15-30 years old from throughout Sarawak to participate in these writing and public speaking contests”, said Mr. Mohamad Ariff Irwani Azahari, Honorary Secretary of AZAM and Chairman of AZAM Youth Development Committee during the launching.
In conjunction with the virtual launch, a special video was also broadcasted containing the details of the contests explaining on the objectives of the contests, themes, and cash prizes.
Sarawak youth who are interested to join the contests are advised to check the entry form and rules and regulations that will be made available on AZAM Facebook Page.
This YGXC programme by NREB is the second to be held, with the first one held in 2015. Its core objective is to engage with the youth to enable them to play a more active role in preserving the environment in Sarawak and to ensure inclusivity of the youth in today’s sustainability conversations and actions for the long term benefit of the state.
For more information, contact AZAM Sarawak Communication Officer Nissa Normin at 082-411799 or email nissa@azam.org.my