Fostering Human Rights Awareness Through Art: Kids4HumanRights Painting Competition in Northern Cyprus
In partnership with Özay Günsel Children’s University and Near East University Faculty of Fine Arts, 144 students from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus participated in the “Human Rights for Children (#Kids4HumanRights) International Painting Competition.” The event aimed to raise awareness of human rights among children through artistic expression. The competition, initiated in 2018 on the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, featured extended application processes and painting workshops to ensure a lasting impact.
The students, representing various schools, created artworks across three categories that reflected their advocacy for human rights, depicted a human rights defender they admired, and expressed their thoughts on defending or promoting human rights. The competition underscores the significance of incorporating artistic expression into discussions on human rights, fostering creativity and understanding among young minds.
Anna Günsel, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Özay Günsel Children’s University, emphasized the importance of World Children’s Rights Day, urging equal rights and a safe environment for children globally. She underscored the role of human rights as the cornerstone for building a world based on peace and justice. Anna Günsel highlighted the collective responsibility to ensure children’s access to rights, emphasizing education, health, and security. Particularly relevant in a world shadowed by conflicts, she stressed the urgent need for all children to have the right to live in peace.
While the text doesn’t explicitly mention sustainability, the competition’s focus on human rights aligns with sustainability principles, emphasizing equality, access to education, and the creation of a safe environment for children worldwide. Promoting awareness and understanding of these values contributes to a more sustainable and equitable future.
