• HH Sheikha Hissa Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum to be region’s Goodwill Ambassador
• Emirates Literature Foundation appointed as consultants

Dubai 25 June 2019:  The UNESCO-backed Voices of Future Generations (VOFG) programme has appointed HH Sheikha Hissa Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Gulf region, with the Emirates Literature Foundation confirmed as consultants for the project for the next five years. VOFG aims to empower young people through a unique writing initiative, encouraging children to promote the UN Convention on the “Rights of the Child”, as well as highlighting sustainable development goals and giving children a voice about their hopes, dreams and aspirations for a sustainable future.

HH Sheikha Hissa Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: “This is an amazing programme, reaching out to all children between 8 and 12 years old worldwide. It is an honour to bring the initiative to life in the Arab world. We want all children in the Gulf to have their voices heard as it is their future. We have an abundance of talented, young people within the region and I can’t wait to read their insightful and creative visions concerning children’s rights, sustainable development goals, and the future we all want to see.”  
The top entrants will have the chance to join a global council of prize-winning child authors, and have their work featured online and in print. These inspirational books will be sent to schools and libraries throughout the world so that all children can benefit from the knowledge and insights.

The Emirates Literature Foundation will be running workshops for teachers explaining how to get children involved in the annual competition. 

Isobel Abulhoul, CEO and Trustee of the Emirates Literature Foundation said: “We are proud to be part of this VOFG initiative which advances the right to education and literacy through the children’s book series. The programme recognises that one of the best ways to get children motivated is to hear stories by other children and we know from our own experience with writing competitions just how inspiring that can be. We’re looking forward to being inundated with imaginative and creative stories populated by lively and colourful characters, bringing to life the amazing things that a sustainable future will have in store for us all.”

Entries must be written by children aged 8-12, for children aged 6 and above and be between 1,200-1,500 words long, in Arabic or English. The stories will feature themes around children's rights and sustainable development, and the writer’s hopes, dreams or aspirations for a sustainable future. Entries are open to all children resident in the GCC and in full-time education, including people of determination. Time-scales will be announced shortly.