Social Media Video Competition
These guidelines provide important information to help participants prepare strong and eligible video submissions.
Participants are invited to create and submit an original 30–45 second patriotic video in recognition of Guyana’s 60th Diamond Jubilee Independence Anniversary suitable for social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram Reels, TikTok, or WhatsApp Status.
Entries must be submitted to the ERC and shared through the participant’s personal social media pages with the ERC tagged. The level of public engagement, particularly the most liked and shared videos, will form part of the overall assessment in determining the winning submissions, alongside the quality and relevance of the content.
The video should creatively celebrate Guyana’s journey as a nation while reflecting the competition theme:
“Celebrating 60 Years of Shared Heritage, Reflection and Respect.” Entries should focus on one or more of the following:
- Appreciation of Guyana’s ethnic and cultural diversity
- Reflection on the importance of peaceful coexistence
- Recognition of shared values and national identity
WHO MAY PARTICIPATE
- Open to all Guyanese citizens, locally and in the diaspora
- Entries may be submitted individually or as a group
- Group entries must identify one primary contact person
- Participants under 18 years must have parent/guardian consent
CONTENT EXPECTATIONS
Videos created should:
- Reflect the competition theme
- Promote unity, respect, inclusion, and national pride
- Highlight Guyana’s diversity, heritage, or shared values
- Deliver a positive and meaningful message
Creative approaches may include:
- Spoken word or storytelling
- Short skits or dramatizations
- Cultural expressions
- Personal reflections
- Visual storytelling
ORIGINALITY REQUIREMENTS
All entries must:
- Be original content created by the participant(s)
- Not contain copyrighted music, images, or videos without permission ● Not reuse previously published or existing content
- Not be created using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools
Failure to meet originality requirements may result in disqualification.
PRESENTATION & LANGUAGE
- English is recommended for clarity and reach
- Other languages may be used with English subtitles
- Speech and visuals must be clear and easy to understand
- Avoid excessive noise or distracting backgrounds
VIDEO QUALITY TIPS
To produce a strong submission:
- Record in good lighting
- Keep the camera steady
- Ensure faces and actions are clearly visible
- Record in a quiet environment
- Review the video before submitting
Note: Simple storytelling is often more effective than complex editing.
CONTENT RESTRICTIONS
Videos must NOT include:
- Political messages or endorsements
- Hate speech or discriminatory remarks
- Offensive language or imagery
- Violent or unsafe activities
- Unauthorized use of copyrighted materials
Participants are responsible for all content used in their video.
JUDGING OVERVIEW
Entries will be evaluated based on:
- Creativity and originality
- Relevance to the theme
- Strength and clarity of message
- Emotional or inspirational impact
- Public engagement measured through likes, shares, and reactions
- Public engagement may be generated through the participant’s personal social media pages and through the ERC’s official platforms.
- Overall presentation quality
Content quality is an important factor.
PERMISSIONS & RESPONSIBILITY
Participants must:
- Obtain permission from all persons appearing in the video
- Ensure minors have parent/guardian approval
- Provide accurate contact information
- Submit entries before the stated deadline
Incomplete or late submissions may not be accepted.
USE OF SUBMITTED VIDEOS
By entering the competition, participants agree that selected videos may be:
- Shared on official platforms
- Used in public awareness campaigns
- Featured in national observances
Appropriate credit will be given where applicable.
FINAL REMINDER
Create a video that:
- Shows unity and togetherness
- Reflects Guyana’s diversity and pride
- Communicates a clear and memorable message
- Inspires others to celebrate Guyana’s Independence journey
● The deadline for submission is May 17, 2026 at 4pm.
National Poetry & Song Competition for School Children
These guidelines provide additional information to help participants prepare eligible, meaningful submissions.
THEME
“United as One: Celebrating 60 Years of Guyana’s Diversity and Strength” This theme emphasizes:
- Unity among Guyana’s diverse ethnic and cultural groups
- Recognition of 60 years of Independence as a shared national achievement ● Promotion of respect, inclusion, and harmony
- Pride in national identity under the spirit of “One People, One Nation, One Destiny” WHO MAY PARTICIPATE
- Open to school children across Guyana (Public & Private)
- Category 1 – Poetry (Ages 7–11)
- Participants must submit an original poem inspired by the theme.
- Category 2 – Song (Ages 12–16)
- Participants must submit an original song or jingle reflecting the theme. ● Students may participate individually or submit entries through their schools ● Each participant may submit one entry only in the category assigned to their age group ● Parent/guardian consent is required before submission
- Participation from all Regions of Guyana is strongly encouraged
CONTENT EXPECTATIONS
Submissions should:
- Reflect the competition theme
- Celebrate Guyana’s unity, diversity, and national pride
- Promote respect, inclusion, and peaceful coexistence
- Highlight shared heritage, cultural appreciation, and national identity
Creative ideas may include:
- Stories about unity among communities
- Expressions of pride in Guyana’s culture and traditions
- Messages encouraging harmony and togetherness
- Celebrations of national symbols and shared achievements
ORIGINALITY REQUIREMENTS
All submissions must:
- Be original work created by the participant
- Not be copied, adapted, or translated from existing poems or songs
- Not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to generate lyrics, poems, or melodies ● Not include copyrighted material without permission
Entries found to be copied or AI-generated will be disqualified.
LANGUAGE & PRESENTATION
- Poetry entries must be written in clear and readable English
- Song entries may include other languages if English subtitles are provided ● Handwritten poems must be neat and legible (between 12-40 lines)
- Song recordings must have clear and audible sound (Duration, 1–2 minutes) ● Avoid background noise that interferes with listening or reading clarity
PERFORMANCE & DELIVERY (SONG CATEGORY) Participants submitting songs should:
- Speak or sing clearly and confidently
- Maintain steady volume throughout the recording
- Ensure lyrics are easy to understand
- Use simple musical accompaniment if desired, but it is not required
Strong delivery helps judges understand the message and creativity.
CONTENT RESTRICTIONS
Entries must NOT include:
- Political messages or endorsements
- Hate speech or discriminatory language
- Offensive words, images, or themes
- Violent or harmful content
- Messages that promote division or disrespect
All entries must promote unity, harmony, and national pride.
JUDGING OVERVIEW
Judges will focus on:
- Creativity and originality
- Relevance to the theme
- Clarity of message
- Emotional or inspirational value
- Overall quality of presentation
Clear ideas and meaningful messages are valued more than complexity.
SUBMISSION RESPONSIBILITY
Participants must ensure:
- All required personal details are included
- Entries are complete and clearly presented
- Audio recordings are audible and understandable
- Written submissions are easy to read
- Entries are submitted before the official deadline (May 17, 2026 at 4:pm) Incomplete submissions may not be accepted.
USE OF SUBMITTED ENTRIES
By entering the competition:
- Participants grant permission for selected works to be
○ Published
○ Shared publicly
○ Used in educational and awareness activities
- Appropriate acknowledgement will be given to participants where applicable.
TIPS FOR A STRONG ENTRY
- Focus on unity and national pride
- Use simple and powerful language
- Share a message that others can understand and remember
- Practice reading or performing before submission
- Review your work carefully before sending
FINAL REMINDER
Create a poem or song that:
- Celebrates Guyana’s diversity
- Reflects respect and togetherness
- Honors 60 years of Independence
● Inspires others to be proud of being Guyanese
