The Royal Commonwealth Society has launched a competition that aims to get young people thinking creatively about malaria prevention – one of the most pressing health issues of our day
According to the World Health Organization, malaria is the cause of more than 1 million deaths annually across the globe. Universal mosquito-net usage is widely recognised as a key element in the international fight against the disease. While coverage has dramatically improved in recent years, challenges remain in promoting a culture of effective bed-net use, especially among children, who are particularly vulnerable to malaria.
‘Me and My Net’ is an innovative creative competition that has just been launched by the Royal Commonwealth Society and Olyset Net, a manufacturer of bed nets. The competition is open to anyone under the age of 18 across the 54 countries of the Commonwealth. Entrants are asked to send in photos, stories or films that promote the use of mosquito nets. Submissions should be creative, instructive or practical – from an eye-catching poster, to a memorable radio or TV show, or an idea for an advertising campaign.
The centrepiece of the project is the website, where people can enter the competition and learn about malaria and its effects on individuals and communities across the world, as well as sharing their views on the disease and how to prevent infection.
‘Me and My Net’ encourages young people to think about the importance of mosquito nets in the fight against malaria. The project also supplies readymade tools for anti-malaria campaigners to use across the Commonwealth, and will provide an opportunity for those working in the field to learn more about how young people relate to mosquito nets.
