The Mokopuna Ora competition aims to connect Aotearoa New سԹwith the international literacy movement that acknolwledges the importance of literacy for all people to flourish.
The theme in 2024 centres on promoting multi-lingual education and literacy’s potential to build mutual understanding and peace.
The Mokopuna Ora competition has five categories, each with their own creative prompt. The categories are:
5-7 years: The Magic Book of Languages
Entrants find a magical book that can teach any language in the world. Their entry shares what languages they would learn and how to use them to make new friends from different places.
8-10 years: Tastes of the World
Tamariki in this age group are asked to create a recipe book with traditional dishes from various cultures, including the names of ingredients and instructions in multiple languages. They will highlight how food can be a way to explore and appreciate different cultures and languages.
11-14 years: Speak for Peace
These young people will design a social media campaign that encourages people to learn a new word or phrase in a different language each day. They can create posts, hashtags and graphics that highlight the importance of language learning for building a more peaceful world.
15-18 years: Languages of War, Languages of Peace
Rangatahi in this category will write an essay that compares and contrasts the language used in wartime propaganda with the language used in peace negotiations and explore how changing the way we use language can shift the world from conflict to peace.
Group entry: A Multilingual Peace Book
This category allows entrants to work in a group to create a book that includes stories, poems and illustrations from different languages and cultures. Each member can contribute something in a different language or style.
Enter at:. Entries must arrive by 4pm on Sunday 13 October. Winners in each category will receive an age-appropriate prize bundle valued at $500 each.
CWRI Director, Professor Gail Gillon says literacy is a critical determinant of people’s well-being. The Mokopuna Ora competition celebrates the importance of literacy and provides an opportunity for children across age groups to share their views in a wide range of forums such as books, videos, or social media posts.
The CWRI produce world-leading research that seeks to understand and implement ways for young people to thrive. This includes the evidence-based Better Start Literacy Approach (BSLA) that is now being used in more than half of schools across the country.
To interview Gail Gillon contact CWRI Communications advisor Kim Thomas on kim.thomas@canterbury.ac.nz or 027 222 6016.
