Monday, January 08, 2007

Commonwealth contest for kids

The Commonwealth Youth Programme is calling young people between 15 and 29 years of age, to enter its 2007 art competition.

‘Youth Empowerment’ is the theme of the CYP art competition.

The competition is open to all Commonwealth residents.

The competition invites youth to produce artwork that could be used for a new CYP publication entitled, ‘The Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment’. This publication is a framework document for CYP’s work and will be widely distributed all over the Commonwealth.

The overall winner of the Commonwealth Youth Programme art competition will be presented with a £200 prize by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, or his representative. The award ceremony will either take place at the pan-Commonwealth office in London, at a regional centre, or at a national event.

The winner will receive an acknowledgement at one of the official launches of CYP’s publications, and will also get a special mention on the CYP website.

The top ten runner-up entries will receive a Commonwealth Youth Programme certificate.

Submitted artwork will be judged on the interpretation of the theme as well as technical quality. All designs used will be fully acknowledged and will include the name of the artist.

Competition entrants may wish to take one or more of the following headings as their inspiration:

The PAYE 2006-2015: Action Points and Indicators

1. Develop and implement measures to promote the economic enfranchisement of young people

2. Strengthen social support systems and collaboration between key stakeholders in youth empowerment

3. Strengthen Ministries, Departments and legal frameworks for Youth Affairs

4. Promote the participation of young people in decision-making

5. Promote positive role models and foster young people’s self-esteem

6. Take action for equality between young women and men, and for youth in special circumstances

7. Promote peaceful and democratic environments in which human rights flourish

8. Provide quality education for all

9. Improve access to information and communication technology (ICT)

10. Promote health, development and values through sports and culture.

This competition, the first of its kind in CYP history, was introduced by Dr Fatiha Serour, Director and Head of Youth Affairs, in a drive to make CYP’s publications more attractive to young people. “This competition will challenge young artists to produce designs that will change the face of CYP’s publications, to make it more appealing for young people to pick up and read”.

The artwork could take any forms, such as: hand work, illustrations, cartoon, graphic design, photography and so forth.

Deadline for submission is Friday 9 February 2007. All entries must be received on or before this date to be considered for this competition.

The artwork must be authentic, and the young applicant must be the owner of the copyright(s) entered. By entering artwork into the competition, the artist agrees to grant a royalty-free non exclusive licence to the CYP, its affiliates, and sponsors of the competition. CYP’s decision on all matters relating to the competition is final. Should the quality of entries fall below the standard required, CYP reserves the right not to award prizes.

Only winners will be contacted. Entries will not be returned or acknowledged. CYP accepts no responsibility for entries lost, damaged or delayed in the post.

Please note that the overall winner will need to provide proof of age. Artwork submitted should include the artist name, age, country, and the category of artwork (hand work, graphic design etc).

Please send art design with entry forms to Diane Mensah-Bonsu by email: d.mensah-bonsu@commonwealth.int, fax: 0207 747 6549, or by post to:

Diane Mensah-Bonsu
Youth Affairs Division
Commonwealth Secretariat
Marlborough House, Pall Mall
London SW1Y 5HX,
United Kingdom