PRESS STATEMENT 39/11
[Suva, Fiji, 2nd June 2011] Pacific students, brush up your creative skills and get painting!
“This is your opportunity to illustrate your vision for the Pacific and for your home country in 40 years,” said Acting Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Ms Andie Fong Toy.
The regional art competition is being held to commemorate the Pacific Islands Forum’s 40th Anniversary being celebrated this year.
Winning artwork will be displayed at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting to be held 6-9 September in Auckland, New Zealand.
“The aim of the competition is to provide an opportunity for young people in the region to visually express their vision of development in the Pacific and develop leadership among the youth,” explained Ms Fong Toy.
In developing their artwork, students will be encouraged to reflect on the Leaders’ Vision in the Pacific Plan, which calls for “a region of peace, harmony, security and economic prosperity, so that all of its people can lead free and worthwhile lives”.
“We have come a long way since the founding leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum, four decades ago, had the foresight and wisdom to seek strength in numbers and converge as a region to tackle shared challenges,” said Ms Fong Toy.
“We have had many successes, and we continue to tackle the challenges that remain. In reflecting on these past 40 years, I think it is only appropriate that we seek input from our youth in celebration of this important milestone. I wish them all the best in their creative endeavours, and look forward to a fantastic display at the Leaders’ Forum in Auckland this year.”
The regional art competition is being organised by the Forum Secretariat in collaboration with the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and UNICEF NZ.
Primary and secondary school students from 16 Pacific Islands Forum member countries* are eligible to participate in the art competition. Two winning artworks – one from primary and the other from secondary – will be selected by a local judging panel from each country. NZ$300 will be awarded to the successful schools in each country for purchase of art materials, and PIF 40th Anniversary gift packs sent to winning artists. (click here to view the full competition terms and conditions)
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*Pacific Islands Forum member countries include Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
For further information on entering the competition, please contact your local art competition organiser. (click here to view list of in-country organisers)
For general information and media queries, please contact the Forum Secretariat’s Communications Officer, Mue Bentley Fisher, via email: mueb@forumsec.org.fj
