1 - Organiser
The Pacific Community (SPC) is a regional organisation that supports the social and economic development of 22 Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). The Public Health Division of SPC provides technical assistance to PICTs as part of the efforts to prevent and control Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), particularly diabetes, heart disease, chronic lung diseases and cancers which have significant impacts on the lives of the Pacific communities.
Teaching children about healthy behaviours such as eating a balanced diet, doing regular physical activity, and avoiding alcohol and tobacco use etc. is a great start to prevent NCDs and promote well-being.
2 - Purpose of the contest
This contest aims to generate children-friendly storybooks that can be used to promote healthy lifestyle behaviours and prevent NCDs among Pacific children aged 3-10 years.
3 - Who can participate?
This contest is open to anyone who resides in one of the SPC’s member countries including American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Republic of Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Kiribati, Niue, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna.
4 - How to participate?
Participants are free to either submit their stories in writing and/or with illustrations. Participants are allowed to submit more than one story. Submission is open until 30th August 2023.
To participate, send your written stories (Microsoft Word Format) to the email address : [email protected] with the following details:
- Your given name and surname,
- Your place of residence, and
- Your contact information (email and phone number).
Illustrations, where relevant, must be provided in InDesign, Illustrator or Photoshop, and in high-resolution JPEG format (350 DPI minimum).
By participating in this contest, participants agree that they, as authors, authorise SPC to use their work in any SPC communication materials.
5 - Selection criteria
The submissions will be assessed by a selection committee based on the following key criteria:
- Creativity and originality of the work,
- Clarity and precision of the message relating to NCDs and/or healthy lifestyle behaviours,
- Relevancy to the Pacific Island setting, and
- Suitability for children aged 3-10 years (e.g., materials, contents, terminology use etc).
All incomplete submissions will be rejected. The participants will be notified of the outcomes of their submission by 30th September 2023. Only the selected participants will then work with the SPC team to refine their stories and/or illustrations.
6 - Benefits of participation
The selected stories and/or illustrations will be promoted, without any cost incurred, across the Pacific region through the following mechanisms:
- SPC official website,
- SPC social media platforms e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,
- Schools upon request from countries, and
- E-reader platforms where relevant.
In addition, the authors:
- Will be acknowledged for their work and their efforts in contributing to the health and well-being of the Pacific children,
- Will receive 20 copies of printed copies for their personal use, and
- May get opportunities to share their stories and/or illustrations at regional health forums.
7: Liability and confidentiality
The Organiser shall not be held liable if, for reasons beyond its control, the contest must be modified, postponed or cancelled.
Participants agree that their personal data will be recorded as part of this contest. Such information will not be disclosed or used for any other purposes by SPC. Participants have the right to access, modify, correct, or delete their personal data.
The participants grant SPC the rights to use the photos and/or videos for promotional materials, publicity, or other purposes to help achieve SPC’s goals as a technical and scientific development organisation in the Pacific region. This might include (but is not limited to) using the photos in printed materials, on social media, in press releases and for other purposes consistent with SPC’s goals.
Participation in this contest implies the participants’ full agreement with these regulations.
For more enquiries, the organisers can be contacted at the following address: [email protected].