In the past eleven years, the Padjadjaran English Competition (PEC) has continued to grow as a platform that encourages participants to explore ideas, challenge perspectives, and express themselves through the power of language and literature. Following a decade of meaningful participation from contestants both on the national and international scale, PEC now returns with a renewed commitment to fostering inclusivity, critical awareness, and creative expression.
Therefore, Gelanggang Mahasiswa Sastra Inggris (GEMASI), the Student Union of English Studies at Universitas Padjadjaran, proudly presents the 11th Padjadjaran English Competition.
In today’s increasingly fragmented world, the idea of togetherness is often overshadowed by growing social tensions and the tendency to divide people into categories of “us” and “them.” Differences in culture, race, class, religion, and identity have become reasons to distance ourselves from one another, rather than opportunities to build understanding. Society has become more accustomed to isolating those perceived as different, creating invisible barriers that limit empathy and solidarity. As a result, many people remain trapped within narrow perspectives that separate communities instead of recognizing the interconnectedness that binds humanity together.
Awareness alone, however, is not enough. Recognizing injustice without cultivating empathy risks turning concern into passive observation. Too often, people witness suffering from a distance without feeling compelled to act or connect. This creates a social climate where crises are acknowledged intellectually, yet emotionally detached from the collective human experience. The inequalities and conflicts we continue to witness today, whether through racial discrimination, gender inequality, or class disparity, demonstrate how society still operates within divisive frameworks that position certain groups as more deserving, more heard, and more valued than others.
Therefore, under the theme “We Are Awake, We Are Aware, and in This Crisis, We Are Each Other,” the 11th Padjadjaran English Competition invites participants to reflect on the importance of solidarity, empathy, and collective awareness amidst today’s social realities. Inspired by the need to move beyond passive acknowledgment toward genuine understanding and action, this year’s PEC seeks to become a space where voices can be shared openly and critically. Through literature and performance, participants are encouraged to challenge social barriers, question systems that perpetuate exclusion, and reimagine a society built upon mutual care rather than division.
This year, the 11th Padjadjaran English Competition once again presents several competition categories that celebrate creativity, critical thinking, and expression through language. The competition is divided into five branches: Speech, Storytelling, Short Story Writing, Essay Writing, and Poetry Contest. Moreover, by dividing the categories into High School and University levels, PEC aims to provide equal opportunities for participants from different educational backgrounds to showcase their talents and perspectives.
As PEC enters its eleventh year, we continue to celebrate the diverse stories, voices, and ideas that have shaped this competition throughout the years. We warmly invite participants from across the nation and beyond to become part of this year’s journey.
For further information, please contact us through our email at [email protected].
Thank You.
All Regards,
The 11th Padjadjaran English Competition Committee
