PRESS BRIEFING TO LAUNCH 2003 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH ART COMPETITION

“We challenge teachers and students all over the world to work in favour of a better world for everyone”, Nancy Rivard, President of Airline Ambassadors International (AAI) told correspondents at the launching of the 2003 International Youth Art Competition today. 

The Competition was announced at a Headquarters press briefing this morning, sponsored by the Mission of Spain.  Also participating in the event were Joaquin Antuna, President of the non-governmental organization (NGO) Peace and Cooperation; Christina Andersen, New York Regional Director of AAI; and a journalist from the United States, Felipe Luciano.

In his opening statement, Mr. Antuna said that the competition was in its eighteenth year now.  For the last eight years, it had been co-sponsored by United States-based AAI and Spain-based Peace and Cooperation.  The collaboration between the two NGOs was a good example of Europeans and Americans working together for peace. 

This year, the International Youth Competition would be devoted to “theProtection of the Environment” theme, taking into account the outcome of last year’s Johannesburg Summit on Sustainable Development.  In our volatile times, it was important to go back to the basics of the culture of peace, which promoted the concepts of cooperation, non-violence and the love for our planet, he said. 

Last year, the Competition had been devoted to the subject of globalization.  On 29 January, the main prize had been awarded to a Mexican girl who had depicted the Earth as a flying-away balloon, with many hands trying to hold on to it.

Ms. Rivard said that the organizers of the Competition were reaching out to youth around the world.  The choice of this year’s theme was based on the understanding of the fact that the sustainable future of the world could not be built without a healthy environment.  That could also not be done with the looming fear of war.  War and weapons of mass destruction could have a terrible impact on the environment. 

The co-sponsors were promoting the competition in some 45 countries, she said.  For the first time this year, the information about the competition would also be posted on the Internet.

Explaining the terms of the competition, Ms. Andersen then said that it would include five categories:  drawing, writing, photography, music and education innovation.  The works would be presented in the six official languages of the United Nations.  All the entries were to be submitted by 1 July to the central office of Peace and Cooperation in Spain.  The prizes would include four diplomas in each category and five cash prizes of 200 euros each.  Two plane tickets would be offered by the AAI.

Mr. Luciano emphasized the importance of art and spirituality in the face of the fragility of Earth.  In the sixties, an attempt had been made to reduce the teaching of music, art and athletics in the schools of New York.  Some

30 years later, there were more kids carrying guns in the streets of New York than anywhere else in the United States.  Arts were needed to spiritualize and humanize people. 

To some, the launching of the 2003 Youth Art Competition might seem “almost hippyish” in the age when it was being decided how many aircraft carriers to send to the Persian Gulf, he continued.  However, it was one of the drops in the pond that made things happen.  Art and aesthetics made a big difference.

Responding to several questions regarding the content of art to be presented to the Competition, the press conference participants said that both positive and negative images would be accepted, but their judgement would be up to the international jury.  The point of the competition was to stimulate creative thinking on the issues of environment and development. 

Ms. Rivard said that in some cases, producing negative images helped children to deal with their emotions.  The art produced by child victims of conflict, for example, would look different from what other children drew.  In that connection, she stressed the importance of giving the victims of conflict a channel for creativity, as giving the people a chance to express their feelings was a first step towards healing and peace. 

Regarding the contest, Mr. Antuna explained that last year, the project had operated on a budget of $3,000.  However, the competition had received some 100,000 entries from all around the world.  It was a good example of civil society working for the positive image of peace.

As a final thought, he added that the whole world had been touched by the events of 11 September.  However, it was important to remember that there were “many September-elevenths” in the world.  Many people were dying of hunger, sickness and conflict, as well as a result of the environmental degradation.  It was necessary to have sympathy for those victims, as well.

* *** *