Story
14 September 2026
Youth Voices for Botswana’s Future
The United Nations in Botswana is commemorating Botswana’s 60 years of independence. We can take inspiration from the values that have defined the country's success: long-term planning, responsible leadership, and a commitment to leaving a better future for the next generation. To mark Botswana’s Diamond Jubilee and the United Nations Day 2026, the United Nations in Botswana is launching Youth Voices for Botswana’s Future, a creative campaign inviting young people across Botswana to share original artwork, digital products or photographs that reflects their ideas, hopes and vision for the country’s future.Young people are not only beneficiaries of development. They are creators, innovators and partners in building peaceful, healthy, inclusive and resilient communities. Through this campaign, the UN in Botswana invites young people to use creativity to show how youth can contribute to positive change in Botswana.Who can participate?The campaign is open to young people in Botswana aged 10 to 35 years.Young women and men from all regions of Botswana, including persons with disabilities and youth from diverse communities, are encouraged to participate.Campaign themesSubmissions should focus on one of the following themes:1. Youth and climate action2. Leave No One Behind. Youth and Inclusion3. Youth and healthy communitiesWhat can you submit?Participants may submit original creative work only.Accepted formats include:Digital illustrationGraphic designPainting Drawing Digital posterDigital comics/caricaturesPhotographs 3D digital artTypography Other artwork created in digital and non-digital formatImportant: AI-generated artwork is strictly prohibited. Submissions must be entirely human created. Work generated, enhanced, or co-created using text-to-image AI tools will be automatically disqualified.All submissions should be original, respectful and suitable for public sharing.How to submitPlease complete the online submission form and upload your digital artwork or provide an accessible link to your file.Submit your creative work here: bwrcomail@un.org
For large files, please upload your work to Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, WeTransfer or another accessible platform, and paste the link in the submission form.Please make sure the link is accessible and set to: anyone with the link can view/download.Submission deadlineThe deadline for submissions is:30 October 2026Late submissions may not be considered.Selection and visibilitySubmissions will be reviewed based on:Relevance to the campaign themeOriginality and creativityClarity of messagePublic-facing valueRespect for dignity, inclusion and non-discriminationSelected submissions will be featured on the UN in Botswana website and UN Botswana social media platforms as part of the Independence celebration and relevant publications, on a weekly basis until 07 November 2026.This is a non-monetary campaign. There will be no financial prize. Selected participants may also be considered for future youth engagement opportunities with UN agencies in Botswana.The United Nations in Botswana reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to reject or select any submitted artwork for any reason. Furthermore, the United Nations in Botswana is under no obligation to provide feedback, justification, or further explanation regarding the selection or non-selection of any submitted artwork.Important conditionsBy submitting your work, you confirm that:You are between 10 and 35 years oldThe submission is your original workYou give the United Nations in Botswana permission to publish your selected submission on its website, social media platforms and publications.Your submission does not include hate speech, discrimination, political campaigning, misinformation, or harmful or offensive contentThe views expressed in your submission are your own and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the United NationsWe look forward to seeing your creativity.
For large files, please upload your work to Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, WeTransfer or another accessible platform, and paste the link in the submission form.Please make sure the link is accessible and set to: anyone with the link can view/download.Submission deadlineThe deadline for submissions is:30 October 2026Late submissions may not be considered.Selection and visibilitySubmissions will be reviewed based on:Relevance to the campaign themeOriginality and creativityClarity of messagePublic-facing valueRespect for dignity, inclusion and non-discriminationSelected submissions will be featured on the UN in Botswana website and UN Botswana social media platforms as part of the Independence celebration and relevant publications, on a weekly basis until 07 November 2026.This is a non-monetary campaign. There will be no financial prize. Selected participants may also be considered for future youth engagement opportunities with UN agencies in Botswana.The United Nations in Botswana reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to reject or select any submitted artwork for any reason. Furthermore, the United Nations in Botswana is under no obligation to provide feedback, justification, or further explanation regarding the selection or non-selection of any submitted artwork.Important conditionsBy submitting your work, you confirm that:You are between 10 and 35 years oldThe submission is your original workYou give the United Nations in Botswana permission to publish your selected submission on its website, social media platforms and publications.Your submission does not include hate speech, discrimination, political campaigning, misinformation, or harmful or offensive contentThe views expressed in your submission are your own and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the United NationsWe look forward to seeing your creativity.
