Arts Lounge Literary Magazine in partnership with the Children’s Center of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka calls for Inter-generational stories on Climate Change. This project is sponsored by the joint partnership from UMI, Our Kids Climate and Parents for Future Global.

About the Project

Children are seen globally as victims of environmental threats, and less as powerful actors for change. As a result, they are hardly engaged in the urgency of climate change issues. Also, their parents, grandparents, teachers and caregivers, who guide them through climate change issues, and who have stories, opinions and experiences to share about how their children and wards are dealing with climate change issues are not given the platform to share these stories. This time, we we will be sharing and documenting stories of how our lives and that of our children are affected by climate change, while suggesting possible ways to mitigate and adapt to our ever changing world.

The Inter-generational voices on climate change will offer Nigerian children, young people, and adults (parents, grandparents, teachers and caregivers) the opportunity to engage with climate change mitigation and adaptation by providing them a platform to share their own perception of climate change. We will engage people and voices across generations on climate issues, so as to listen to, and amplify their stories.

These voices, which will include, but is not limited to stories, suggestions, opinions, recommendations, musings, paintings, poems, letters, artworks, prayers, desires, aspirations, inspirations, etc, on climate change, fossil fuel, nature and environment, will be collected and published into a book.The project will culminate into an event where the book will be launched and outstanding entries recognized and awarded.

Submission Guidelines

Children’s Category

Submission is open to Nigerians, not older than 15 at the time of entry.

Submit stories, suggestions, opinions, recommendations, musings, paintings, poems, letters, artworks, prayers, desires, aspirations, inspirations, etc, on climate change, fossil fuel, nature and your perception of your environment.

Multiple or simultaneous submissions will not be read, accepted or acknowledged.

There is no word or artistic limitation for the children. Just poor out your heart.

Submission opens on the 20th of January, 2023, and closes on the 20th of February, 2023.

Any submission outside the submission timeline will be disqualified.

Submit entries as a word attachment, with the subject “INTER-GENERATIONAL VOICES ON CLIMATE CHANGE.” Entries must be accompanied by a cover letter that bears name of the CHILD and his/her PARENTS/GUARDIAN, and age of the child.

Submissions should be sent to artsloungenyc@gmail.com 

Questions or inquiry should be directed to the same email address.

Adult Category

Submission Guidelines

Submission is open to Nigerians, not younger than 15 at the time of entry.

Submit only creative nonfiction stories that reflect climate change and how it has affected children around you.

Multiple or simultaneous submissions will not be read, accepted or acknowledged.

Send only previously unpublished creative nonfiction.

All entries must be no less than 1500 words, and no more than 3000 words.

Entries must be double spaced, formatted with times new Roman, and 14 font size.

Entries must be free of grammatical errors.

Submission opens on the 20th of January, 2023 and closes on the 28th of February, 2023.

Any submission outside the submission timeline will be disqualified.

Submit entries as a word attachment, with the subject “INTER-GENERATIONAL VOICES ON CLIMATE CHANGE.” Entries must be accompanied by a cover letter that bears the word count, name of the writer, state of origin and the designation of the writer, i.e parent, teacher, grandparents, aunt, caregiver, etc.. The writer’s name and any other means of identification can only appear on the cover letter and not the entry. Any means of identification on the entry will lead to automatic disqualification.

Submissions should be sent to artsloungenyc@gmail.com 

Questions or inquiry should be directed to the same email address.

Adult Category Prizes

First Prize 150,000 naira

Second Prize 100,000 naira

Third Prize 50,000 naira

Children’s Category Prizes

First Prize 20,000 naira

Second Prize 15,000 naira

Third Prize 10,000 naira

Gift Items

 Prize Rules

The judges’ decisions are final.

A long list will be announced by the first week of March, while the short list will be released by the end of march, 2023.

Winners will be announced at the book launch and literary event to be held at the Children’s Center, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

All Long-listed writers must be available for communication via email during the editing and publication stages.

Shortlisted writers should be present at the literary event, where winners will be announced.

The judges reserve the right to withdraw the prize if in their judgment the winner has defaulted or violated any rule.

Winners should be available to acknowledge and receive the prize at the Children’s Center, UNN.

Judges

Amuche Nnabueze

Sule Emmanuel Egya