Inviting essays, fiction, and photos from young Malaysians on “Climate Action”
www.empoweringaseanyouth.com  

PUTRAJAYA, April 17 (Bernama) -- Have you ever felt inspired to write a story that would capture the hearts of readers, compose a compelling essay to highlight the need for climate action, or capture stunning photographs to showcase the efforts of those seeking to save the environment? 

If you said yes to any of the above, enter the Maybank Foundation – Perdana Leadership Foundation Writing & Photo Contest 2020 “Empowering Youth for a Better ASEAN”!  

With “Climate Action” as its theme, the contest is open to Malaysian youth aged 13 to 23 years old, wherever they are in the world. The contest seeks stories, essays, and photos that would inspire our youth to reflect on our shared environmental concerns and ultimately, take action. 

Encik Shahril Azuar Jimin, the CEO of Maybank Foundation, said “We believe the return of the contest is timely and its theme befitting, given the adverse consequences of climate shifts in Malaysia and around the world. We look forward to receiving intelligent and creative written pieces as well as compelling photos from young Malaysians, wherever they may be in the world. Furthermore, it is part of our broader commitment to positively impact communities in markets where Maybank operates, and as ASEAN becoming a more closer-knit community, we hope to inspire our youth to consider their role as future leaders.” 

Maybank Foundation has consistently engaged with various communities as part of its commitment to support them in their personal development. Maybank is focused on activities that would create meaningful, measurable and sustainable impacts, and complement its mission of humanising financial services. 

Maybank Foundation - Perdana Leadership Foundation Writing & Photo Contest 2020 “Empowering Youth for a Better ASEAN” seeks to encourage and reward articulate and creative expression via writing or photographs, as well as to raise awareness on environmental issues. There will be three separate categories of participation: Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Photo, in two languages: Bahasa Malaysia and English. Exciting prizes await winners of the contest, with up to RM3,000 in cash up for winning, along with iPads, Kindles, as well as sponsorship to a leadership camp or summit.  
 
“While the prizes offered are an incentive for young Malaysians to participate, we also hope that young people would want to express their thoughts and ideas on the central issue of climate action. We believe that the ability to communicate well lie at the heart of good leadership and recognise that the platforms of communications change over time. Today’s leaders also have to engage using words, stories, and visuals. This contest serves to underscore the relevance of clear articulation and creative expression,” said Tan Sri Nik Mohamed Nik Yaacob, Executive Director, Perdana Leadership Foundation.  

The contest will run from 17th April until 30th September this year. The last edition of the contest in 2015 garnered more than 4,000 entries from young Malaysians all over the world. 
 
This is the sixth edition of the contest, and the second year that Maybank Foundation is the Title Sponsor. Naza Corporation, and MPH Bookstores are Supporting Sponsors, while the Ministry of Education Malaysia, and Ministry of Higher Education are Supporting Partners. 
 
More info about the contest is available at www.empoweringaseanyouth.com. You can also contact Mr Farid (faridzuan@perdana.org.my / 03-88858953) or Ms Humaira (humaira@perdana.org.my / 0388858960). 
 
About Maybank Foundation 
Maybank Foundation was inaugurated as the main vehicle for corporate responsibility across Maybank Group, which is one of the top 4 banks in ASEAN. Maybank Foundation’s mandate is to identify programmes that will have the most tangible and sustainable results – efforts that will bring measurable change over the long-term. Our mandate is to create positive, long-term impact in communities in the markets where Maybank operates. It strives to identify programmes that will have the most tangible and sustainable results. Visit www.maybankfoundation.com to find out more.   

About Perdana Leadership Foundation 
“Drawing on the Past to Serve the Future”
Perdana Leadership Foundation was chartered in January 2003 as a non-profit organisation, founded with gifts from people who supported the vision of a thriving research and learning institution dedicated to the study of Malaysian leadership and nation-building. It is unique in that it began as an entirely private sector initiative, seed-funded, and organised by private sector individuals and corporations. Most of the Foundation’s present trustees were the early benefactors of this Foundation. The Foundation’s stately building in Precinct 8, Putrajaya houses the Perdana Library, an auditorium as well as a multi-purpose hall in addition to the office of the Foundation’s Honorary President, YAB Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. A taxexempt, non-profit organisation, the Foundation intends to become the premier institution for the study of Malaysia’s Prime Ministers and the central resource centre for research into national stewardship as well as a platform for reflection, debate, and discussion with distinguished figures in Malaysian leadership. Visit www.perdana.org.my to find out more.  

SOURCE: Perdana Leadership Foundation 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Mr Farid
Tel: 03-88858953
Email: faridzuan@perdana.org.my

Name: Ms Humaira
Tel: 03-88858960
Email: humaira@perdana.org.my

--BERNAMA