The Strickland Foundation has launched an annual writing competition to create greater debate on subjects of national interest.

It has chosen human rights as a theme of the first competition to complement one of the two themes of its journalism internship scheme.

The competition will lead to the fifth Mabel Strickland Memorial Lecture, for which the foundation plans to invite an eminent jurist specialising in human rights.

The Strickland Foundation, set up by Mabel Strickland in 1979, has as its main aims the promotion of democratic principles, human rights, free press, and voluntary organisations. Miss Strickland, daughter of Lord Strickland, was a journalist and politician.

The foundation’s flagship project is a journalism internship scheme, under which it is at present sponsoring three interns with media organisations. The scheme, launched in November last year, runs over three years. The Strickland Foundation also sponsors public benefit work and has supported national heritage organisations.

Entries for The Strickland Foundation Writing Competition may take the form of an article, essay or a short story, but all entries will be considered as one category.

The competition is in the English language.

The writer of the best entry will receive €5,000 and a trophy, and the runner-up, €1,500.

The writers of the first 10 best entries will receive a certificate. The foundation reserves the right to upload any of the entries on an electronic website, or publish them in print form, giving due acknowledgement to the writer.

Entrants have to write between 2,500 and 3,000 words on one of the following three topics falling under the general theme:

1. Does Malta lag behind in the protection and observance of human rights?

2. Are the Maltese generally complacent when it comes to defending their human rights?

3. Is discrimination ever tolerable? When should discrimination become a human rights issue?

The judges will look for clear thinking, competent use of the language, and originality in the research and expression of ideas.

Together with their entry, those taking part have to submit a 200-word synopsis of their entry. Failure to submit the synopsis will disqualify an entry.

The closing date for the submission of entries is October 31. The winners will be announced towards the end of the year.

Entries may be submitted online to the chief executive officer at: admin@thestricklandfoundation.com or by post to: Chief Executive Officer, The Strickland Foundation, Villa Parisio, Mabel Strickland Street, Lija 1104.

 

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