Climate Change

Drawing competition 2011

London, Montreal, Rome, 23 January 2012 - How do young people see the importance of forests, the issues concerning forests; and why are forests so important to our planet?

Over 2800 children and youth aged 6 to 20 years of age from over 60 countries submitted artwork to a forestry art contest launched by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). The contest was developed as part of a global youth education initiative on forestry in support of the International Year of Forest.

The judges were impressed by the striking images from artists as young as six, and their depictions of the connection between people and forests, the use of forest products and the risks that exist towards forests. The pictures express young people's awareness of the planet's forests and their concern for its future. The team of judges was formed of forest experts, graphic designers and other staff from FAO, CBD and WAGGGS. The process took a long time due the large number of wonderful drawings that were submitted. The pictures will be used to illustrate upcoming educational and outreach publications.

The talented winners of the “Our Hands Together for Our Nature” International Art Competition of the International Year of Forests are: