Dan Rohrmann
Director
UNICEF

On behalf of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), I would like to congratulate and express my sincere appreciation to the organizers of this contest, as well as all the children who participated in it. It was an honour indeed to be part of an esteemed panel of fellow judges with the challenging task of selecting the candidates for the awards among so many wonderful drawings.

Given that world's attention these days has returned to the important issue of sustainable development and the environment, including Climate Change, it was refreshing to witness how children around the globe artistically expressed their views on environment and the surrounding nature. The result we saw from children in different age groups, from East to West, and North to South, from dryland areas to tropical forests it not only refreshing but stimulating indeed. It underscores the importance of listening to the voices of children and empowering them as agent of change in our societies.

In today's world, more than 10 million children die unnecessarily each year mainly from preventable causes. About 100 million school-aged children are out of school. Children are hit hardest in situations of poverty and conflict. As a leading agency advocating to protect the rights of every child we look towards realizing a World Fit for Children.

The drawings here express all types of sentiments, visions and hopes. They are very powerful in the story and messages they convey across generation and borders. I would like to express my heartfelt wishes for the successful future of the award-winners and all the participants in this contest. Let this inspiration galvanize our commitment to children and the realization of their rights.