Voices of Future Generations winners send inspiring messages to the world

Dubai: The 2022 winners of the Middle East edition of the Voices of Future Generations, the inspiring global writing competition for children, were announced in the presence of HH Sheikha Hissa bint Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the initiative’s Goodwill Ambassador, at the competition’s biggest award ceremony to date. 

Bringing together the shortlisted children, their families, teachers, and the artists illustrating the stories in the two anthologies of winning stories from the previous years, the event held at Zabeel Ladies Club celebrated the tremendous impact of the competition in raising awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals in every community it touches. 

HH Sheikha Hissa bint Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum said, “There are many problems in this world. But each and every one of the children celebrated here today has proved themselves to be part of the solution. Through creative writing, they have explored some of the most important issues of our time and envisioned how we can solve them. Creativity, story-telling, passion and vision; these children have it all. I encourage everyone to read these stories and let them inspire them. Together we can make a difference.”

The award ceremony was hosted by previous winners, Saud Ahmad Al-Kaabi (10) and Saira Thomas (12) from the first round of the competition in 2020, and Mezna Najeeb (13) and Abrar Ahmed Sirohey (14) from the 2021 edition. Guests also enjoyed an exhibition of the illustrations by local artists featured in the first two anthologies of winning stories.   

Winners in the English category:  Voice future generation stories Voice future generation stories

1. A Prescription for a Faltering Future by Inayah Fathima Faeez, Gems United Indian School, Abu Dhabi
2. The World Warrior by Inaya Danish Zaidi, The Winchester School, Dubai
3. War Candies by Mohammed Hamzah Siddiqui, Cambridge International School, Dubai

Winners in the Arabic category:

1. Under Water Magic by Nourah Ahmed Yousif Almushtaghil Alnaqbi, Al-Marifa 1 School, Khor Fakkan Sharjah
2. Finding the Path to Happiness by Rodina Ahmed Atef Badr, Charity School Ajman
3. Look Inside by AbdulKareem Ghazal, Al-Shola Private School, Sharjah

“We need stories to fuel our imaginations and help us set course for the future we want to see,” said Jennifer Malton, Director of VoFG and Sustainability for the Emirates Literature Foundation. “These children are becoming ever more aware of the increasing pressures posed by climate change and the damage it is causing our planet. Nothing is more motivating than reading a gripping story that confronts these issues head-on and champions a relatable hero to overcome them. They are not only skilled storytellers, but they also use their knowledge and enthusiasm for sustainability to inspire others to act. I would like to congratulate everyone on their outstanding accomplishments.”

The unique writing initiative, launched under the patronage of UNESCO in 2014 and brought to the Middle East in 2019, was created to promote sustainability awareness and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The regional competition is organised by the Emirates Literature Foundation on behalf of HH Sheikha Hissa bint Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Goodwill Ambassador for the initiative for the Middle East. 

The competition, open to children aged 8 to 12, encourages children to write adventure stories about characters overcoming challenges and creating a more tolerant, sustainable world. The best entries are published in a book in Arabic and English and shared internationally. 

All entries must be between 600-1,500 words long and should feature one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals, and the writer’s hopes, dreams or aspirations for a sustainable future. Entries are open to all children resident in the Gulf region and in full-time education, including homeschooling. Registrations of interest are now open.

For more details see https://vofg.vofgarabia.org/ 
More information about the Emirates Literature Foundation can be found online and year-round news of #EmiratesLitFest on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. The Foundation also has two podcasts; the Best of the Emirates LitFest, and the Boundless Book Club.