Opening date: 19 August 2025 | Close date: 19 October 2025
The Pacific Futurists Writing Competition 2025 invites storytellers, visionaries, and thinkers from across the Blue Pacific Continent to imagine bold, vibrant futures for our Sea of Islands. Rooted in the wisdom of our ancestors and inspired by the possibilities of tomorrow, this competition is a call to explore how Pacific values, knowledge systems, and foresight practices can shape the world ahead. Whether through fiction, essays, poetry, or visual storytelling, we welcome creative expressions that envision thriving, resilient, and interconnected Pacific futures.
Who can participate:
All Pacific thinkers, writers, and visionaries are invited to imagine and articulate futures for the Blue Pacific Continent. The competition is open to all Pacific people and residents of the Pacific region.
Categories:
Inspired by the inaugural Pacific Futures Reflection hybrid gathering, we seek creative Pacific stories, essays, and reflections that explore Pacific values, knowledge systems, and foresight practices.
- Short Story (Fiction) – 1000 – 2000 words
- Essay (Non-fiction) - up to 4 pages
- Poetry – up to 3 poems, max 100 lines total
- Visual Narrative (e.g., illustrated storyboards or comics)
Guiding questions:
Participants are encouraged to reflect on:
- What does a thriving Pacific future look like?
- How can Pacific genealogies and knowledge systems shape our foresight?
- What role does AI and technology play in our future?
- How do we center Pacific values in future-making?
- What lessons can be drawn from regional futures practices?
Prizes:
Overall first prize is a trip to the Asia Pacific Futures Network Conference in 2026.
Winning entries in each category will be published in the Pacific Futures Compendium 2025 and featured at future regional foresight events. Other goodies may also be in store.
Metafutures course and Mentorship opportunities in strategic foresight for youth applicants (under the age of 26 years).
How to submit:
All entries must be original and unpublished. Submissions may be in English or French, with Pacific language inclusions welcome (please provide translations).
Entries should be submitted by 19 October via email to [email protected]. Include your name, contact details, category, and a short bio.
One entry per person for each category.
Assessment criteria:
1. Relevance to Theme (20 points)
Does the entry clearly engage with the theme: "Futures of Our Sea of Islands"?
Does it reflect on the guiding questions (e.g., Pacific values, foresight, AI, technology, genealogies)?
2. Originality and Creativity (20 points)
Is the work imaginative, innovative, or thought-provoking?
Does it offer a unique perspective or vision of Pacific futures?
3. Cultural Resonance and Pacific Identity (20 points)
Does the entry reflect Pacific values, knowledge systems, or cultural narratives?
Are Pacific languages, traditions, or genealogies meaningfully included or referenced?
4. Quality of Expression (15 points)
For written entries: Is the language clear, engaging, and well-structured?
For visual narratives: Is the visual storytelling coherent and compelling?
5. Foresight and Vision (15 points)
Does the entry demonstrate thoughtful foresight or future-oriented thinking?
Are ideas about technology, sustainability, or community well-integrated?
6. Technical Execution (10 points)
Is the entry polished and well-edited (grammar, spelling, formatting)?
For visual narratives: Are the visuals well-crafted and professionally presented?
Bonus Considerations (Optional)
Youth Voice: Does the entry show promise or potential from a young or emerging futurist writer?
Multilingual Inclusion: Are Pacific languages used effectively with translations provided?
Collaborative Spirit: Does the entry reflect shared or collective visions?
