Comics Uniting Nations
Javits Convention Center, New York, USA, October 07 2017 – Comics Uniting Nations During the 3rd Day of the 2017 New York Comic Con today in New York City.
Photo: Luiz Rampelotto/EuropaNewswir
by Britta Schmitz
UNITED NATIONS, Oct 18 2017 – The United Nation’s Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has launched a contest for young people to create their very own superhero comic against climate change. Everyone up to 25 years old is invited to participate and submit their ideas until 22 October 2017.
“Children and youth have a voice and are innovative, solution-oriented minds that the world must empower and engage to solve climate change,“ Callie King-Guffey, UNICEF Consultant for Agenda 2030, told Europa Newswire. “By participating in this contest, children and youth are helping us prove this message true and turn the volume up.“
The Climate! Comic! Contest! was officially launched at New York City Comic Con 2017, the largest pop culture event on the East Coast. The new comic will be part of a series of comics launched by the initiative Comics Uniting Nations, covering each of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“UNICEF stresses the importance of consulting children and youth in decision making and implementing the SDGs. The contest was an opportunity for UNICEF to demonstrate creative ways to engage young people as well as a chance for children to not only learn about the importance of climate but to participate and shape the message UNICEF shares with the world,“ said King-Guffey.
“The creative medium of comics not only grabs the attention of young people but has also been an effective project in exciting the UN membership about engaging children and youth as change agents and torch bearers in the climate cause.“
The most creative ideas will be presented at the climate conference COP23 in Bonn, Germany from 6 – 17 November. During the conference, a global vote will take place online. The winner will be announced at the end of November and be paired up with a professional comic artist and writer, who will bring the idea to life. The new comic book will eventually be launched on Earth Day, 22 April 2018.
“In order to achieve the SDGs, the UN must reach audiences that do not already know about or care about sustainable development. Therefore, we have to both get creative and go where people already are,“ said King-Guffey. “Comics can translate complex and technical language within the SDGs into relatable and interesting stories. It is through these stories that children and youth internalize the importance of sustainable development and are inspired to take action.“
Raising awareness around the issue of climate change among children and young adults is key to effectively protecting our climate, as the young generation will be responsible for shaping the future of our planet.
“In our consultations with children and youth during the SDG negotiations, the topic of environmental preservation was clearly at the forefront of young people’s minds and passions. Now that the SDGs are in the implementation phase, UNICEF is excited to give that passion a platform for inspiring both young people and decision makers,“ said King-Guffey.
“Once the final comic book is produced from the winner of the contest, the project doesn’t stop there. The book will be shared and used in schools and communities to engage more children and youth around the globe. But you don’t have to win the contest to be integral to the message UNICEF is bringing to decision makers at COP23 this year and beyond.“
Comics Uniting Nations is a joint initiative by UNICEF, Reading with Pictures, PCI Media Impact and the World’s Largest Lesson. Other climate comics produced by the initiative include Chakra, the Invincible, Simon Says… Save the Climate, Santa’s Green Christmas and Guardians of the Galaxy, Ozone Heroes.
All comics are available for free download on the Comics Uniting Nations website. Children are welcome to use these comics as an inspiration to create their own superhero. The application form is available in English, French, Spanish and Arabic, ensuring that a high number of children around the world can submit their ideas.
More information on the Climate! Comic! Contest! can be found on climatecomic.hscampaigns.com
Source: EuropaNewswire