Thousands of stories are still waiting to be told. To encourage greater participation from students, teachers, families, and citizens across the country, the Ministerio de Educación Nacional and the Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS) have extended the registration deadline for the National Writing Competition 2026: Historias de Paz until July 17, 2026. The nationwide initiative invites participants to transform memories, experiences, and dreams into stories that strengthen memory, reconciliation, and peacebuilding.
The extension aims to give educational institutions, teachers, and communities more time to encourage the participation of children, young people, and adults, who may submit an original short story or essay inspired by everyday events, family experiences, stories from their communities, or experiences that reflect solidarity, coexistence, and hope.
Educational content creator Mónica Higuera Rueda, known as “La Profe Mónica,” encouraged everyone not to miss this opportunity. “The most important thing is to participate. Let’s not wait until it’s too late and say, ‘I wish I had participated.’ Any opportunity to strengthen our communication skills is already a step forward.”
The competition is open to students, teachers, school administrators, families, and other members of the educational community, who may participate in the short story and essay categories by submitting original texts of up to 1,000 words centered on the theme Historias de Paz.
The UIS and the Ministerio de Educación Nacional especially encourage teachers to turn classrooms into spaces of inspiration and creativity, promoting writing as a tool to strengthen imagination, critical thinking, and active citizenship.
Support for the creative process
Participants have access to a Toolbox featuring educational resources, including videos, podcasts, guides, and other materials designed to strengthen creative and argumentative writing skills.
These resources support every stage of the writing process, from generating ideas and developing characters to organizing arguments and revising the final text.
Explore the Toolbox: https://bit.ly/3SkbeDt
What are the “Escribatones”?
To provide additional support during the final stage of the competition, the National Writing Competition: Historias de Paz has launched a special series of six virtual “Escribatones,” guidance sessions designed to strengthen participants’ writing skills and help them complete the registration process for their short stories and essays in 90 minutes.
During each session, the competition’s educational team will guide participants through both the writing process and the completion of the registration form.
“Escribatones” schedule
Dates: July 10–17 (Friday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday).
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Connection link for the “Escribatones”: https://bit.ly/4eZTEgN
Writing tips
To make the most of these sessions, the Ministerio de Educación Nacional and the Universidad Industrial de Santander recommend attending with a clear idea for the short story or essay you wish to develop and following the facilitators’ guidance, prioritizing continuous writing so that ideas can flow freely before beginning the revision and editing stage.
Participants are also encouraged to carefully review their text before completing the registration process and to have all the required information ready in order to fill out the registration form quickly and accurately.
The competition guidelines, participation requirements for each category—from early childhood education to youth and adult education—and the submission form are available on the competition’s official website
Registration closes on July 17!
