【The Macau Post Daily】English Essay Competition Focuses on Change

October 18, 2021 | Posted on The Macau Post Daily
By Rui Pastorin

The Macau Speech Professionals Association (MSPA) is hosting its inaugural edition of the Macau-wide English Essay Competition (MEEC) with the theme “The Change I Want to Make”, which also promotes the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).


According to Wikipedia, the SDGs consist of 17 interwoven global goals intended to be a plan to attain an improved and more sustainable future.


The association announced in a statement last week that the theme invites students to communicate their ideas “to make their school, community, or the world a more sustainable and resilient place”. The statement noted that the contest is the first English essay competition aimed at promoting these goals, encouraging students to build-up their English writing skills while learning about worldwide topics. The statement pointed out that the contestants will be split into four different categories comprising upper primary, middle school, senior high school, and college, with the word limit ranging from 250 to 900 words.


Sandy Leong, the chair of the MEEC, told The Macau Post Daily by phone that the theme’s purpose is to “bring young people of Macau closer to topics that really pertain to their world and their future”. Leong pointed out that the SDGs can provide a framework that allows for various discussions to take place within it that could lead to positive changes, adding that more awareness for the topic could bring forth solutions for a better future.


When asked about the importance of students’ contribution to the topic through the contest, Leong said it was “very important”, adding that it was vital for the topic to be considered by everyone, adding she hoped that the contest “can facilitate a discussion with the wider community”.


Besides having a chance to win trophies and certificates, winning essays will also be featured in an essay collection released in print and online, which Leong said would be “a book of what students think about their futures.” Leong also said that it would be a way for the community to facilitate conversations, citing it as a way to bring children into “being agents of change” as well as giving importance to the voice of young people.


The registration for the contest is open until Friday, while essays need to be submitted by November 5. To register or for further details, one can visit https://www.essaymacao.com