ECA Short Stories Competition for SDGs
The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) calls for the Decade of Action Short Stories initiative for young African creatives to re-imagine the Sustainable Development Goals, through stories written in English. Stories not over 3000 words should be on African perspectives, present or possibe realities and future related to climate change, environment, migration, health, technologies and innovation in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
By Era Environnement
What is the purpose of the competition?
Meeting the objectives of the SDGs is the purpose of the competition name as “Decade of Action”. What are the challenges confronting the african continent during the COVID 19 pandemic? This is the question that the youths born in Africa, or with parents born in Africa, should reply by february 28 th. The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) calls the african youth to write on three major challenges confronting the continent: eradication of poverty and reduction of inequality; climate action for a healthy planet and achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.All shortlisted entries will be published in a special, Decade of Action Anthology of Short Stories publication to be launched at the next African Forum for Sustainable Development in March 2021. This competition is a way to imagine narratives, Science Fiction, Action Adventure, Fantasy, Speculative fiction, suspense, historical fiction, mystery/crime and literary fiction. ECA will welcome comic book form or graphic novel.
From SDGs adoption to SDGs implementation
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development were adopted in September 2015 and they came into force in an UN Summit on 1 January 2016, where world leaders acknowledge that ending poverty must go with strategies building on economic growth, addresses a range of social needs including education, health,social protection and job opportunities while fighting climate change and protecting the environment. The SDGs build on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and aim to go further to end all forms of poverty, ensuring that no one is left behind. 5 years after the UN Summit, the COVID 19 global pandemic came and has forced countries to review their strategies. According to ECA, the COVID 19 pandemic devastates economies and threatens to destroy progress made in the implementation of the SDG. “While World Food Programme predicts massive food shortages resulting from months of disruptions in the agricultural sector and supply chains; African countries have focused on tackling the health emergency and providing rescue measures and economic stimulus packages to protect livelihoods and trigger economic recovery, in response to the pandemic,” said ECA. To the UN agency, young people can play a huge role through a variety of spaces and mechanism. The creative sector can help them to articulate their concerns and expectations on the world.
How the creative sector can help?
According to ECA, creative arts are major contributors to Africa’s growth and transformation. As,one the Africa’s rich heritage and culture, it ensures the aspiration of Agenda 2063. The SDGs story-telling project aims to contribute to awareness of SDGs in daily living in language that is creative and unusual among African youth. The project should introduce diversity within existing SDGs content that is curated for the Continent by African youth and should create a platform for young African creative writers to inform, exchange and contribute to the COVID/SDGs discourse through creative forms of expression.
How to submit their story?
To submit their article, the youths have to introduce themselves and attach their stories to eca-info@un.org with the subject: Submission for the Decade of Action Short Stories. Short stories should be in double space and in 12 font Times Roman and not more than 3000 words. ECA will acknowledge selected authors and invite them to participate in a workshop to enhance their submissions. The best 3 stories will be awarded. All submissions must be the original work of the author. ECA welcome translations. Stories that are published elsewhere (online or print form) are welcome but with publishing permissions .
For more about the Economic Commission for Africa, go to www.uneca.org or follow them on twitter @ECA_Official
