Winners of Young Minds in Action
UNESCO Youth Envisaging Contest

UNESCO Bangkok has recently concluded the Japanese Funds in Trust (JFIT) sponsored Young Minds in Action; UNESCO Youth Envisaging Contest. The contest was initiated to promote awareness and engage students and teachers in Education for Sustainable Development. The competition was a welcome success in this its first year of operation. Over 150 entries were received from 10 different countries throughout the region and we very much appreciate the impressive efforts of all contestants. Well done!

 

The high quality of the submissions made judging a challenge and we feel many of the entries commendably promote education in sustainable development. In line with this, we look forward to using selected submissions in a variety of UNESCO publications and certain works will also be exhibited at the upcoming 10th APEID International Conference to be held in Bangkok. 

Despite the consistently high standard of submissions, after many hours of deliberation, on November 1st 2006 the four judges from The New International School of Thailand, The Nation Newspaper, The Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology and UNESCO Bangkok, selected six prize winning works.

 

As previously announced, prize money in the following quantities will be awarded: 

  • 1st place, winner; US$500  
  • 2nd place, runner-up; US$250
  • Commendation; $100

 

Each of the winning entrants and their school will also receive a UNESCO Certificate of Excellence in Education for Sustainable Development and UNESCO Bangkok is coordinating with the UNESCO National Commissions in each of the winning countries to present the certificates and prize money to the successful entrants shortly. Please do not contact UNESCO Bangkok directly. 

 

A full list of the winners is given below with links to their work (where appropriate). We hope you enjoy reading about sustainable development from youth perspectives and we hope the pieces stimulate you to think more about the issues raised.

 

Writing:

Norqobilova Sevinch

 

Art:

  • Winner; Untitled
    • Emilygrace Angelie D. Lerio (14 years old)
    • Philippines, Manila
  • Runner-up; Untitled
    • Akethonund Prononeeya, Sanyouit Siriluk and Aritad Choicharoon (16 years old)
    • Thailand, Bangkok

 

Teacher's Lesson Plans:

  • No winner and no Runner up;
    • Entries provided unrealistic time frames for lessons, limited student ownership and participation and no conclusion which brought together the concepts of ESD.
  • 3rd place, commendation; “Introduction to Sustainable Development”
    • Maria Eljie M. Mabunga
    • Philippines, Metro Manila

 

Music:

  • No Winner, no Runner up and no commendation;
    • No piece conveyed the message of sustainability to the degree desired by the Judges.