THROUGH THE EYES OF CHILDREN: NEW GLOBAL PAINTING CONTEST ON ENVIRONMENT BEING HELD

Press Release
UNEP/45

THROUGH THE EYES OF CHILDREN: NEW GLOBAL PAINTING CONTEST ON ENVIRONMENT BEING HELD

NAIROBI, 7 September (UNEP) -- The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Foundation for Global Peace and the Environment, Japan, have jointly organized the ninth international painting contest which runs from now until 31 December. The contest is open to children between the ages of 6 and 15 years. Entries are expected from all regions of the world.

The contest's theme "Preserve the Beautiful Oceans, Skies and Forests for the Twenty-first Century", endeavours to interest and motivate children to express, through painting, their vision for the future of the environment.

"Children embody the future hopes and aspirations for this planet into the next century", said Klaus Toepfer, UNEP's Executive Director. "I am sure their creative energies will inspire and lead us towards taking better care of our earth", he said.

Prizes will be awarded for the best 300 entries, which will be used for the compilation of a calendar, posters, publications and exhibitions worldwide.

Last year there were more than 7,000 entries from 46 countries. From the winning entries selected, several will be used in the preparation of a Calendar for Children for the Year 2000.

The sponsors of this year's contest are all from Japan: Tecnocom Ltd, Fujitsu, Takara, Sun Star Stationery, Central Hobby, the Sato Toy Culture Foundation, Showa Note, Yakult.

The Foundation for Global Peace and the Environment of Japan was founded in 1993 to work on wide-ranging global issues related to the environment, peace and sport. Since its inception, the Foundation has been a key partner of UNEP's Children, Youth and Sports Programmes and has worked with UNEP to organize environmental events and activities globally.

To obtain details and entry forms for the contest, please visit the website at: www.unep.org/unep/per/ipa/gyf/painthome.htm, or contact Tomoko Yano, Secretary General, Foundation for Global Peace and Environment, 401 Howamita Tsunazaka Bldg, 2-7-7, Mita, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 108, Japan. Tel: 81 3 5442 3161, Fax: 81 3 5442 3431, e-mail:fgpe@mxj.mesh.ne.jp In Nairobi, please contact: Theodore Oben, UNEP Children and Youth Officer. Tel.: (254-2) 623262; Fax: 623927, e-mail: theodore.oben@unep.org

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