Are you 13-24 years old and love drawing? Do you want to change the world? We’re looking for you! Together, we can reimagine a greener and more sustainable future, for every child.
In these times it is normal to feel you are no longer in control of your future, and to be uncertain about your next steps in life. We invite you to reimagine and draw the world you want to live in after COVID-19 as part of our World Children's Day #voicesofyouth challenge.
Pick a cause that matters to you, create an original illustration that shows the world you want to build... and post it on your own Instagram account or submit it through Voices of Youth! In the caption, explain what inspired you to create this drawing, why this issue matters to you or how you want to contribute to build a better world for children.
Reimagining the world is our new challenge and we want to invite you to be a part of it!
For example, you can:
· Reimagine a greener and more sustainable world
· Reimagine the future of wellbeing and mental health
· Reimagine the future of education and work
· Reimagine a future without discrimination
· Other children’s rights or development issues that are important to you
We will highlight some illustrations in our Instagram account and other UNICEF channels to commemorate World Children’s Day on November 20th!
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HOW TO JOIN
HOW TO JOIN
As World Children’s Day approaches, we invite you to draw your interpretation of the world you want to build after COVID-19 and submit your drawings through our Voices of Youth website, following these steps. We will share some of the illustrations here and in our @voicesofyouth account.
You can also post it on your Instagram or Twitter account with the hashtag #voicesofyouth. Remember we can only see the illustration if your account is public, but make sure you understand the pros and cons of having your social media account public and check our guide on online safety. Due to recent changes in the way Instagram shows hashtag-related content, it may take us longer to see and review your illustrations on this app.
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YOUR ILLUSTRATIONS
YOUR ILLUSTRATIONS
#VOICESOFYOUTH
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Aseel, 23 years, Jordan
“A world free of COVID-19, where every child can live freely without restriction, off to discover the world, away from the limitations he has experienced previously in fear of being affected by what the pandemic has left behind."
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@israat_chan
I want to build a world where every child has access to education and can become the future leaders of the world, as I believe education for every child will help us build a better future ✨"⠀
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"The message or idea behind it is a girl who goes to the grocery store with her mother and gets to see things like self love, the end of all discrimination, children's rights to education and much more on bottle. And she thinks the world may need this so they buy all of it. So in the end, it's the little girl who changed the world."
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Salimata Traoré
"Give every child, whether rich or poor the means to practice good hygiene." Salimata Traoré, 14, Gao, Mali.
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@yseelovesmillie
"Okay, I’m not a good drawer lol :) so I made this drawing to represent the world of tomorrow! I hope a better life for everyone, I hope peace and the best for the planet 🌎 Love u guys <3"
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@pan_monsta
"I would really like a world where I can smile and make my dreams a reality. A place where we can all support each other, and help each other bloom into our fullest potential. I want everyone to live a fulfilling and satisfying life, doing what they love, creating their own happy future, blooming into their own beautiful flower. Let's all bloom together!!! 😊"
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@gabssssspamzz
"I want a pollution free environment after this pandemic. Climate change is becoming serious day by day. Since l was little, I have always seen how pollution and climate change started causing an impact on earth. Together let's protect our amazing planet for a better future as there is no Planet B 🌱🌍♻️💚 l am just a teenage girl! Took 1 hour and 38 mins!"
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“The world that I drew is one where children are free to do anything they want, where the clouds are made of cotton candy and where there is a swing hanging down from the axes of Saturn.” Büşra, 23, from Balıkesir, Turkey.
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@beauty_millie_bobby
"Let me explain a little bit what this drawing represents :
1) ecology : I want our world to be greener and it is so important to be careful and take care of our nature because our world is beautiful and we need to take care of it and I think everyone should be eco-friendly 🌱
2) Equality: we are all equal! 🌈
3) We have a voice: we have a voice and it’s not because we are young adults or children that we shouldn’t say anything. we know things, and the future is up to us! 🎤
4) Education: Every child should have a proper education. Education is where everything starts and nowadays we need everyone to be educated in order to take decisions together, to change the world together! because we are able to do this, we just need to find out how TOGETHER ! 🌍
1) ecology : I want our world to be greener and it is so important to be careful and take care of our nature because our world is beautiful and we need to take care of it and I think everyone should be eco-friendly 🌱
2) Equality: we are all equal! 🌈
3) We have a voice: we have a voice and it’s not because we are young adults or children that we shouldn’t say anything. we know things, and the future is up to us! 🎤
4) Education: Every child should have a proper education. Education is where everything starts and nowadays we need everyone to be educated in order to take decisions together, to change the world together! because we are able to do this, we just need to find out how TOGETHER ! 🌍
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@jtan_art
"I drew a scene in which there's no need to social distance anymore, so we can gather like we used to before. Here we don't have to wear masks either as there is no need to, in fact, there is a boy wearing a party mask instead. I'd say that in this ideal world you can be yourself without the fear of being judged. 🌍🌹"
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“I illustrated children of different backgrounds that are all working together as a family, to help our planet become a safer place for everyone. Let this day be a reminder that we are responsible for the children of today and owe them a better and safer life for tomorrow."
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@ernestnari
"I dream of a better world. A world one would be happy about, full of natural beauties. A world where people will smile and merry, a world full of perfection and love. I believe this word is yet to come, until we keep our differences aside and come together as one to fulfill our outmost desire."
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@amandaamjf
"I hope for a brilliant future as children use the colours of their love to paint the world and unleash their inner sparkle✨🌈"
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@milliebb_amazing
"For me is really important to support everybody! That draw means that the young people, us, are the future! And that we need to follow our dreams. Unfortunately not everybody has the same chances to try their dreams to come true, and that’s why I want to participate in this movement. We need to stop making differences between people! Because all of us are humans and all of us should have the chance to follow theirs dreams! ❤️"
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“I decided to draw and reimagine a future where there's no discrimination between races and showed it through children from different races standing together. Children need to learn that everyone has the right to be treated fairly regardless of their gender, caste, creed or race. “
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Pius Divine Tonna, 13, Nigeria
‘Envisaging the future of work powered by technology and resilience.’ Pius, 13, from Nigeria, sketched an illustration to depict and reimagine how technology and innovation driven work is the future, and how he desires to acquire more knowledge and skills in that field.
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@millieloveswinniethepoohdle
"I want the whole world to smile and be happy by saving trees and water, by stopping pollution and global warming. Also when new children are born then my vision of pollution and global warming free world will help them to stay healthy and always safe from diseases."
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“The plan I have drawn up is for a greener and more sustainable world without discrimination. A world where children sing and dance together without fear or worry. The world that I am sure will be filled with beauty after the COVID-19 virus.”
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“Reimagining the world post-Covid, I'm hoping for more extensive and inclusive learning opportunities to fulfill every child's right to learn and develop. During the process of reopening, it is important for schools to establish water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities and implement hand hygiene as a habit. We all need to ensure quality learning in schools."
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Fawas Okeshina, 14, Nigeria
Tejumo, which means ‘focus’ in Yoruba language, is an illustration by Fawas. His idea is that when adolescent girls focus on their dreams, they can achieve a lot and fulfill their potentials. Fawas also uses art to advocate for adolescent girls in Nigeria – especially creating opportunities for them to thrive.
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“This work represents 'Swiping' to a sustainable and green future. From a young age I was taught how small changes can make big differences. I have always believed in simple eco-friendly alternatives for plastic and other non-degradable items, that can make our world breathe easily. If we all can change a few simple things in our life, there is hope for a brighter, greener and sustainable future.”
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“Reimagine a greener and more sustainable world. My name is Binderiya and I live in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. I’m trying to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Therefore, I take little actions in my everyday life. A healthy nature and environment is the most precious thing to pass on to our next generation.”
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@sketchinwizkid123
"We the citizens of this blue planet we pledge that we will battle unto victory...a tribute to all fighters out there."
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Adebayo Mubarak, 13, Nigeria
13-year-old Adebayo’s illustration titled ‘Mother’ is a eulogy for his mom and the African woman. Adebayo’s admiration for his mother, who is a fruit seller, inspired him. He employs primary colors as a symbolism. According to Adebayo, red symbolises the passionate love that his mother exudes in caring for his family.
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“Nowadays, I see a lack of freedom of love in the society. While chatting with strangers, I realized that in some cultures people can’t choose their partner. Children have to grow up understanding that one day all their dreams can come true.”
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Sulaimon Farouk, 8, Nigeria
Using graphite and charcoal pencil, Sulaimon sketched an illustration titled ‘ecstasy’ – expressing his excitement of going back to school. Sulaimon dreams of the future of education where he will have the opportunity to continue to learn with or without a lockdown.
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@petra_channel_
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@fan_stranger_think
"WE ARE ALL HUMANS ❤️"
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@hiteshiissmm
"What if I could make this world a better place, an ideal place where there's no discrimination, no inequality, no jealousy, no cruelty... a better world with lot of positivity and good people. I reimagine the world where every person would be empowered and everyone would be appreciated."
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@artbysreelu_
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Alusine Kamara
Alusine Kamara, 17, from Sierra Leone, reimagined a world of happiness where every child is supported to reach their potential.
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@verenartiste
"I am Verena, 18 (French), during my senior year in High School, I was in a class composed of only 9 pupils ( well small high schools you know) That was like the "perfect" class : kindness, solidarity, open-minded people, smart debates with teachers, calm, great! Our main teacher was always helping us, she was listening, she was asking us our opinion... During quarantine she has been amazing : supportive, present for us, ready to give advice and above all : she was there for our education. She was ready, no matter what, to teach us new things. I wanted to thank every teacher of the world for their bravery."
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Sanou Emmanuelle Ouangna
"My favorite right is to protect children against violence,” Sanou Emmanuelle Ouangna, 14, Bamako, Mali.
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Fatoumata Touré
“Access to toilets for girls and boys in all public places,” Fatoumata Touré, 16, Timbuktu, Mali.
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Laïla Yattara
“Keep social distancing in schools to protect every child from disease,” Laïla Yattara, 16, Kidal, Mali.
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“Hand in hand, for a better future,” Tugce Karakaya, 25, İstanbul, Turkey.
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Ivan Benjamin
Ivan Benjamin, 17 years old from Freetown, Sierra Leone, reimagined a safe world, with clean water for every child.
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Mariam Keïta
“Youth and adolescents should be involved in protecting the environment,” Mariam Keïta, 16, Bamako, Mali.
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Samba Oumar Diallo
“All schools should have fences so children can feel safe,” Samba Oumar Diallo, 16, Bamako, Mali.
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Makadidia Sall
“Every child should have access to places to play and relax,” Makadidia Sall, 15, Bamako, Mali.
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Nouhoum Chérif Haïdara
“My favorite right is the promotion of good health practices in each family.” Nouhoum Chérif Haïdara, 16, Bamako, Mali.
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Laïla Yattara
“Every child should stay in school and learn at no cost,” Laïla Yattara, 16, Kidal, Mali.
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Saran K. Diakité
“Access to potable water and clean toilets in all schools,” Saran K. Diakité, 17, Bamako, Mali.
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Saran K. Diakité
“No kind of work should stop a child from going to school,” Saran K. Diakité, 17, Bamako, Mali.
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“This is the world, our home, I want to live in. I take good care of our home for the future generations 💪🏼 and illustrate “children’s books” with a touch of love.” Gamze Seret, 26, from İzmir, Turkey.
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Enya, 14, Mexico
"My dream for a better world is that all animals and all beings can live without pollution, with water and healthy food. I wish with all my heart that everyone in the world accept that we are all equal, I want all LGBTQ+ community feel proud of who they are, I want all black people know that they’re so beautiful and equal and all the women know that they’re so powerful. I hope all the people in the world, start being kind and love each other and working together, because we all live in the same planet, in the same earth, in the same home... I wish all the countries start helping and supporting and being in peace."
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Begimai, 14, Kyrgyzstan
"In the world that I drew, everyone is strong and friendly. Holding hands means equality."
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Gabriela, 13, Bolivia
"I reimagine a world full of trees, plants and lots of flowers and also many animal species."
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Halid, 21, Osmaniye, Turkey
"Reading is the right of every child in the world."
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Sarasi Khadka, 13, Nepal
Reimagine the future of learning, by Sarasi, 13, Nepal.
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"Children love to experiment, dream, and explore new things. But, COVID-19 has put their dreams on hold and extinguished their enthusiasm. The illustration is reflecting a reimagined world in which dreams are reignited and children regain their sparkles again!"
ABOUT WORLD CHILDREN'S DAY
ABOUT WORLD CHILDREN'S DAY
World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children's Day and is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children's welfare.
November 20th is an important date as it is the date in 1959 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child.
It is also the date in 1989 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
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