Mode:

• Preliminary Round - Online
• Final Round – Physical (on-site)

Participation:

Group

Number of Participants:

2-4 students (undergraduate/diploma) in one group from the same university. Each university may submit a maximum of 4 entries.

Theme:

Gen Z as Climate Heroes

Your poem should reflect how Gen Z can lead climate action by leveraging technology, embracing sustainability and communicating with powerful, minimalist language.

Focus:

Technology, sustainability and clear impactful expression (avoid filler words)

How to Join

1. Write Your Poem

Use strong, expressive vocabulary with minimal fillers. Highlight how Gen Z can lead climate action through innovation and personal responsibility. You are encouraged to use poetic devices such as:

• Metaphor
  • Example: “We are the wildfire of change, burning old systems to ash.”
  • (Compares Gen Z to a wildfire to show power and urgency.)

• Repetition
  • Example: “We rise. We code. We fight. We rise.”
  • (Reinforces determination through repeated structure.)

• Juxtaposition
  • Example: “Plastic in oceans, yet data in clouds.”
  • (Contrasts environmental damage with digital growth.)

• Contrast
  • Example: “We are loud in silence, present in absence.”
  • (Highlights opposing ideas to show depth and complexity.)

• Symbolism
  • Example:“A cracked phone screen, like the Earth’s broken skin.”
  • (Uses a phone screen as a symbol of environmental fragility.)

These devices can elevate the emotion, rhythm and imagery of your poem, making your message more memorable and powerful.

2. Practise & Perform

• Rehearse as a group. Focus on timing, vocal expression and unity.
• Be expressive: use gestures, facial expressions and movement.
• Memorisation is encouraged.

Note: Full reliance on reading during the performance may affect your score.

3. Record & Submit

• Record a video of your spoken word performance.
• Upload it to YouTube and set the visibility to Unlisted.
• Submit your video link via the Google Form.
• Drafts must be submitted along with the final product.

The top three teams will be selected to perform live at the finals in USM. A panel of judges will evaluate the performances based on language, delivery, theme relevance and group cohesion.

Duration of the video:

2-3 minutes

Submission Deadline:  Wednesday, 19 November 2025, 11:59 p.m.

 Judging Criteria:

• Language Impact (Does the poem use simple but powerful language?) 
• Delivery & Emotion (Is the performance engaging and expressive?)
• Relevance to Theme (Does it effectively integrate the themes of technology, sustainability and minimalist expression?)