IN conjunction with Malaysia Day 2021, a new grassroots arts and community initiative, Project Future Malaysia launched with funding and support from Chevening and British High Commission Kuala Lumpur.
Project Future Malaysia’s aim is to encourage Malaysians to visualise a more expansive vision of the future for Malaysia. This perspective includes a deeper engagement with science, technology and the various arts of literature, philosophy, film and music.
By reimagining and manifesting better alternatives for Malaysia’s future, Project Future Malaysia hopes that Malaysians are freed from their everyday assumptions about what is possible, and start imagining pathways that embrace bolder visions and hopeful possibilities for the country’s future.
Project Future Malaysia is commissioning 15 Malaysian writers, artists and creatives to create new works in any art form that engage, inspire and start conversations.
These works will need to respond to three themes; human rights, democracy and the rule of law, including preventing sexual violence in conflict, reducing modern slavery, media freedom and promoting female education; climate change, environment and sustainability, including threats to endangered species and international relations and politics, including deepening relationships between states and peoples.
In addition to the creative works, Malaysians all over the world from all walks of life are invited to submit a short 250-word essay on their imaginative ideas and creative solutions to reimagine possible futures for Malaysia.
According to Kevin Bathman, the brainchild and project producer of Project Future Malaysia, he explains, “Left broken by the Covid-19 pandemic, Malaysia needs new, imaginative ideas and creative solutions to reinvigorate the soul of the nation.
The Project Future Malaysia invites Malaysian writers, artists and creatives to look at our thriving future with different lenses while plotting a pathway to recovery.
"At the heart of this project is a liberal dose of positivity and forward-thinking; celebrating the uniqueness of our multicultural, multifaceted society and country.”
He adds that the project draws inspiration from the term, Afrofuturism, a term described as a cultural aesthetic that combines science-fiction, history and fantasy, and that Project Future Malaysia aims to highlight the themes and concerns of Malaysians.
As youth voices are important, the project is also accepting submissions from youths below 18 years old and accepts submissions from Malaysian Permanent Residents and refugees/asylum seekers who are currently residing in Malaysia. Another important aspect of this project is the works can be submitted in English, Malay, Chinese, Tamil or any other native Malaysian language.
The Chevening Alumni selection panellists who will be judging the submissions include Ain Aqilah, Bernard Chauly, Brenda Danker, Natasha Joibi, Yap Jo-yee, Tan Su Lin, Nisa M Aris, Enbah Nilah, Loshana Shagar and Anna Tan.
The project will run from September 16, 2021 till April 30, 2022.
The deadline for applications is October 20, successful applicants will be notified by November 5, and the work must be completed by November 20. – The Vibes, September 17, 2021
