Panasonic Kids School: Eco Picture Diary Global Contest

UNESCO Headquarters, Paris
February 8, 2012

by Joanna Orland

We’re not only about the vacuous world of pop culture. Sometimes celebrity, arts and culture can make a difference.

On February 8th in Paris, UNESCO teamed with Panasonic Kids School for an international competition. Children across the globe between the ages of 6 and 15 were encouraged to keep an eco picture diary for 5 consecutive days, depicting their ideas, thoughts and opinions on environmental issues, including what they learned and what they did to protect the global environment.

Approximately 160,000 children from 37 countries participated with roughly 30 nominated representatives from each of the participating countries chosen to attend the awards ceremony held at UNESCO headquarters. The panel of judges who decided the fate of the children included UNESCO Artists for Peace, singer Sarah Brightman; actress Patricia Velasquez; and painter Countess Setsuko Klossowska de Rola.

Director-General of UNESCO Irina Bokova was in attendance at the Awards Ceremony. As representative of UNESCO, Irina states, “As an individual we can make a change, but together we can change the world.” Inspirational words for these hard-working children who are wanting to make a difference in helping to sustain our planet.

There were various winners in multiple categories, but the Grand Prix Diary prize went to Jeamyma Pazsa Natasuarna from Indonesia for her colourful drawings. For an extensive list and visuals of the winners’ diaries, please visit the Panasonic Kids School page.

Please view more of our photos of the Awards Ceremony which was held at UNESCO Headquarters.