Winners
will be announced on World Environment Day
on 5 June
Nairobi, 8 May 2008 - An unprecedented 1.5
million Chinese children have participated
in a painting competition on the topic of
climate change, in a sign of the country's
growing awareness of environmental issues.
The competition, held in China for the first
time, saw the children collectively submit
200,000 paintings on the theme of climate
change. Some 620 paintings were selected
for prizes by the jury, which was made up
of renowned Chinese artists, UNEP officials
and Ms Elizabeth Rihoy of Resource Africa.
The top three winners
will be announced on 5 June for World Environment
Day alongside the winners of UNEP's International
Children's Painting Competition. As a reward
for their artistry, the talented trio will
participate in the UNEP Tunza International
Children's Conference in Stavanger, Norway
on 17-21 June 2008.
In July, the top 20
winners will be invited to Nairobi to receive
their prizes from UNEP's Executive Director,
Mr. Achim Steiner and to participate in
children's community activities in Kenya.
This is the first time
the Children's Painting Competition was
held in China, in conjunction with UNEP's
International Children's Painting Competition
which takes place every year. The competition
- sponsored by Mr. Luo Hong, a Chinese businessman,
environmentalist and photographer - aimed
to raise awareness on climate change issues
among China's young people and the Chinese
public in general.
