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Curated by Young Voices of Arabia |
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All I ask, is that you know and understand that there are other creatures living on this land. - Noor Amr 6E
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From the Editor's Desk Mir Faraz Editor-In-Chief
Dearest Readers,
Welcome! It is our immense pleasure to present to you the 3rd edition of the Voices of Future Generations Gazette! It has truly been a great source of joy and satisfaction to see just how much you’ve enjoyed our inaugural 2 editions!
We couldn’t be more thankful for the inspiring way our Gazette journey has started!
In a world where sustainability is more than just a goal, it is a necessity, words hold the power to ignite change, spread awareness, and inspire action. This newsletter is a space where young minds use their voices to reimagine our shared future and shed light on the causes they care about, from climate justice to equality and beyond. Each story, article, and poem is a small but mighty force working toward a better tomorrow. Through the Gazette, we strive not only to celebrate these voices, but to remind ourselves that lasting impact begins with meaningful expression.
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Embracing Nature For A Better Tomorrow
Saira Thomas Assistant Editor
Dear Readers,
Each month, the United Nations designates a specific Sustainable Development Goal as the "SDG of the Month," and the Gazette continues its journey of spotlighting these global goals through our themed issues. Our third edition shines a light on SDG 15: Life on Land for the month of May and SDG 14: Life Below Water for the month of June, inviting us to reflect on our planet’s rich biodiversity and the urgent need to protect it.
SDG 15 focuses on protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of ecosystems on land. Natural habitats and wildlife are essential to the balance of our planet, yet they face growing pressures from deforestation, desertification, and biodiversity loss. Recycling, eating sustainably sourced food and being respectful toward wildlife are a few ways in which we can contribute towards this goal.
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Latest Adventures From the World of VoFG |
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Diala Khatib Media Team
Miss Shama's party!!
Recently, we here at VoFG found out that our beloved Miss Shama is headed for greater heights — across the ocean in Canada! So, we hosted a deliciously fun farewell celebration to recognise her as one of our favourite people and to start this next phase of her life with a happy ‘Farewell’.
The celebration was filled with joy and bittersweet goodbyes, as well as wonderful speeches from the VoFG team and writers alike. We also had presentations and videos from our authors, describing to Miss Shama how much she truly means to us.
One of my favorite moments of the night was when... |
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Inaya Danish Zaidi Media Head
An Out of This World Experience |
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What is something you are passionate about? Something that, when brought up, excites you in a way that nothing else can? That your dreams are made up of? Well, imagine your joy at all those dreams coming true, and you’ll have an inkling of the exhilaration Mohammed Hamdan Siddiqui, Round 5’s first place winner and avid space enthusiast felt when he got the opportunity to meet none other than his idol, astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri in an exclusive video call at the ELF headquarters. |
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Mohammed Hamzah Siddiqui Research Team |
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Sanvika Sandeep Media Reporter
From Words to Action: Which SDGs Sparked the Most Imagination in Round 6?
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Who knew a chart could tell a tale?
Ever wondered which Global Goal gets the most love in our stories?
Here’s a sneak peek into the SDG trends shaping our Round 6 tales straight from
the imagination of future leaders!
SDG 15 (Life on Land) is leading the story parade!
Our young writers are deeply passionate about the planet, education, and
action, and their stories prove that they’re not just dreamers, but doers in
the making. There’s room to explore lesser-known SDGs like Innovation,
Clean Energy, and Decent Work. Maybe next round they’ll get their spotlight.
With Round 6 officially concluded on 31 May, we take a moment to appreciate the
ideas, innovation, and originality that participants have brought to this stage
of VOFG. Each submission reflected a unique voice, engaging deeply with the
world around us.
Though the submission portal is now closed, the spirit of this round
continues to be carried forward. The energy and creativity shared by our young
participants have set a remarkable standard, one we’re proud to celebrate and
carry into future editions.
Registrations to Round 7 are open now on our website. Visit our website
to learn more about the competition criteria and register. |
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Sharjah Children's Reading Festival |
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Sashini Manikandan Media Reporter
Young Voices, Big Impact at SCRF 2025!
Ever
imagined what magic unfolds when the young voices of tomorrow step into the
limelight at one of the region’s most exciting celebrations of storytelling and
creativity for children?
At the
Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) 2025, the stage belonged to not just
time-tested classics, new releases and beloved characters, but to the alumni
authors of the Voices of Future Generations Initiative, each with their
powerful voice for a better tomorrow.
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Spotlight on Diyafah International School
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Changemakers David Attenborough Voice of Qirat Kashif
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David Attenborough is a 99-year-old man who is a biologist, English broadcaster, natural historian, and writer, working mostly towards the SDGs ‘Life on Land’ and ‘Life Below Water’. David Attenborough has made a huge impact on the world by raising global awareness about environmental issues, reshaping consciousness, and inspiring millions to appreciate the natural world. He has narrated many television programs – so much so that his voice echoes across the natural world. All these programs are based on wild encounters, oceans, and how to keep our planet safe. Today, many corals are suffering tremendous loss as a result of human-induced ocean warming. David has also made many films dedicated to the world and how it’s being destroyed. Some examples are: ‘Ocean’, which depicts the destruction of the natural ocean; and ‘Planet Earth’, portraying the magnificent planet and the creatures within. I encourage you to go watch some of these beautiful films and learn how to protect the environment.
To this day, David Attenborough is still an amazing personality, and has said, “It is easier to protect the world than to destroy it.” David Attenborough inspires me because he helps animals even if they are dangerous. He takes care of the environment and wants to make it safe for all living things.
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Picture This!
A tree, a thought, a beginning. What story will you grow?
Voice of Mariam Nyaxalay Omar Touray
On one lovely summer day, a boy named Liam encountered a thrilling adventure. He had heard tales of a tree (called the Noble Tree) that held treasures and fortunes around it, but only people with clean hearts and minds could see it. He set foot on his adventure at around three-thirty and hoped to be on his way back at six o’clock. The young boy was doubtful at first about finding the treasure, but then his friends and family assured him he was a good person – as warm as sunlight filtering through a tree – and could do anything if he put his mind to it.
With that assurance, he was determined and dedicated to finding the treasure. On his way through the forest floor, he saw a variety of insects and animals. He admired the damp and fertile soil he stepped on. Liam then wondered why people would want to destroy this lush, vast, and bewildering forest. He sighed.
The forest was noticeably quiet until he heard a twig snap and leaves rustle. Liam was frightened and confused. He was the only one there, not another soul in sight. Liam clenched his backpack straps as he felt goosebumps run down his spine. Suddenly, he noticed a shadow dash behind him.
He froze. Someone was definitely following him!
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Page Pause! Ready for an Unscramble Me? 
Sophie Claire Dias Design Intern |
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Young Lawmakers
No More Plastic Bags in Shops
Voice of Mattaeh Raynard
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My law - ‘No more plastic bags in shops’
The reason for my law is simple. If plastic bottles are banned, then plastic bags should be too. Life below water is very important. Without it, the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide would be severely reduced, leading to a dangerous buildup of carbon in the atmosphere.
Life on land is equally essential. Without plants and animals, vital processes like soil formation, nutrient cycling, and balancing atmospheric gases would be disrupted, causing long-term changes to the planet’s climate and geology.
Plastic bags are difficult and expensive to recycle. Most end up in landfills, where they take around 300 years to photodegrade. As they break down, they turn into tiny toxic particles that contaminate the soil and waterways. These particles often enter the food chain when animals accidentally ingest them.
Single-use plastics like straws, bags, and water bottles are some of the biggest environmental hazards we face today. They are non-biodegradable and take hundreds of years to decompose, meaning they stay in landfills for decades, pollute our environment, and harm wildlife.
The major environmental impact of plastic bags is their slow rate of decomposition. Additionally, when they perish under sunlight, they release toxic substances into the soil. If burned, they release harmful toxins into the air, leading to ambient air pollution.
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Can One School Make A Difference? The Diyafah International School Sustainability Story
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SDG Superhero! Voice of Azmia Ammar |
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From the VoFG Library Voice of Shanum Ammar Qirat Kashif |
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Murjana, a 9-year-old girl who is fond of animals and nature, is going on a boat trip to the seas of Khor Fakkan. One day, she notices that oil leaks are causing a lot of pollution underwater. She is enjoying her trip when, out of nowhere, a fish called ‘Hamoura’ asks for her help to save the seas because they have seen a “light” in her. Murjana reluctantly accepts, despite her fear of drowning. She travels far and wide to help this fish – going to meet the ‘Sage of the Sea’, swimming through harsh whirlpools, fighting bloodthirsty sharks, and even making friends with an octopus buddy to help her get to Mount Qum-Qum. This is just the start of her exciting adventure…
This mission is very important to her, as she wants to end pollution and the suffering of sea creatures. But there are many challenges she must face to achieve this. Will Murjana manage to save the sea? Will she survive this harrowing journey? Will she accomplish what she came to do?
Pop open this book to find out! |
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Ready for a Brain Tickle? 
Jaivardhan Manish Nawani Research Team
The Veggie Bin Conspiracy (Fill in the parenthesis)
They say it started when someone recycled a/an
[Object made of plastic or metal]
and refused to eat their
[Vegetable you dislike].
Now there’s a/an
[Ocean creature]-led operation
harvesting unused
[Vegetable part]
to power a network of
[Underwater invention].
Nobody knows what they’re building.
But it smells like
[Strange scent]
and
[Emotion or vague regret].
Experts think it may be a
[Underwater creature].
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Poetry Drop
A Fluffy, Red Mammal
Voice of Shrivathsav |
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I am a mammal who loves to purr, I have red and white fur. I love eating leaves! I live mainly in trees. Rolling is my hobby, As I’m always happy! Sadly, my kind is in danger – Humans are destroying nature.
It is sad to watch, It’s like a snatch – Taking away everything And giving us nothing.
I hope things turn around For a better ground. I, the red panda, cry That someone will try
To make the world a better place For an improved race.
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SDGs In Action: Eco Warriors Spotted! |
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A Fond Farewell
Shama Noman Advisor |
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Where do I begin? In the small office where I first met my VoFG teammates and we all geared up to start this writing competition? Or the celebrations that marked five years of the competition with many promising plans to follow? Both ways, building the VoFG community has been and will remain one of my most cherished achievements. Today, even as I step away from my role as the VoFG Project and Education Development Manager, I find myself connected to this thriving community of thinkers and storytellers.
The biggest perk has been creating opportunities for our community of young writers.
Our newsletter, The Gazette is a strong representation of our children’s voices. It is about their thoughts, stories, and dreams. A space where they begin to see themselves as leaders, storytellers, and changemakers. Finding synergies with schools across the UAE, I have witnessed our young editorial team grow in collaboration, setting clear expectations and work around school schedules to meet their deadlines. I am so proud of them. From editing first drafts, to fact checks to positive critique and more, The Gazette is a true labour of love and strong conviction that our Earth is safe in the hands of the future generations.
I would like to this opportunity to thank all the teachers who have displayed admirable resilience and commitment to promoting creative writing and VoFG at their schools. Thank you being such trusted collaborators. Your initiative drives the success of our competition. I will carry fond memories of the teacher champion workshops and webinars where we got to meet each other and share.
To the wonderful parents: your trust in our programmes and your encouragement of your children’s expressions are vital to their confidence and growth. Your heartfelt messages, farewell emails, the surprise party and kind wishes have meant more than words can say.
And to my children, the soul of this journey, thank you for your courage, your brilliance, your imagination, and your stories. You remind us all of what matters most. This is always about you, and it always will be.
Let’s stay connected—@theyteacher.
Though I may be stepping away, the storytelling continues. The mission remains. Because the future is being written every day in your words, your ideas, your dreams.
I believe in you!
With deep gratitude, Shama |
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