Embassy of the United States

2007 Press Releases

Press Release

Earth Day Poster Contest for Children Ages 10-15

Yaounde, March 26, 2007

The U.S. Embassy would like to involve Cameroonian students, ages 10 to 15, in this year’s April 22 Earth Day event.  Although every calendar day provides a new opportunity to consider how to protect our planet, Earth Day, now in its 37th year of celebration, is a time to re-evaluate the progress made and to think creatively about new steps toward protecting the environment.

In the United States, the federal government is focusing efforts to provide cleaner air and water, to promote land conservation, and the protection of wildlife habitats. The United States Embassy is asking young Cameroonians to think about their environment, their cities, and their country in order to answer the question, through artwork: "What is important to you about our environment?"

There will be one international prize in each of the three age groups (10-11, 12-13, and 14-15). This prize will either be the equivalent in local currency of one thousand U.S. dollars or a visit to the United States, including a visit to Disney World or similar site.

Guidelines:

• The submission should be on a sheet no larger than A4 paper (21 x 29 ½ cm) size, with the student’s name, age, and province attached. Please provide a telephone number and mailing address.
• Students are to use their imagination. All of these media are possible to illustrate their ideas: collage (using paper, cloth or other recycled materials); ink drawing; pencil drawing; crayon drawing; chalk drawing; cartoon; watercolor; oil painting.
• The work must be accompanied by a brief description of the artwork written by the student. The description can be from one to four sentences long.
• The Ministry of Secondary Education and the Ministry of Basic Education are asked to submit ALL the contestants’ entries to the U.S. Embassy along with what his/her staff has determined is the winning entry for the province.
• Send submissions to Michael Roth (Pol/Econ), U.S. Embassy, Avenue Rosa Parks, B.P. 817, Yaounde, Cameroon.
• Due date: Submissions must be received by no later than April 1, 2007 to be considered for the international competition. However, artwork submitted by April 9, 2007 will be entered into the national competition.
• E-mailed submissions may be sent, with the title “Earth Day Poster Contest,” to <yaoundeirc2@state.gov>.
• Note that any winning submissions where a family member served on the deciding committee will be disqualified.
• The U.S. Embassy Environmental Working Group will post the best entry for each of the 10 provinces on its website http://yaounde.usembassy.gov.
• To honor all those who take the time to contribute their talent to environmental awareness, the U.S. Embassy will give out special artistic awards, for originality, depiction of environmental issues critical to Cameroon, and best entry for each age group (10-11, 12-13, and 14-15).
• On April 23, 2007, the Monday following Earth Day (April 22), the U.S. Embassy will hold an event to honor the winners.

The contest offers an opportunity to raise awareness about environmental issues while motivating youth to offer their promising talent and ideas to society. Attached is a list of ideas you can use to help your students get started on their projects.

For further information, please call the U.S. Embassy, Yaoundé, Cameroon, tel. 220-15-00 x4072.