Nature's Voice Our Choice

  What Water Means in My Life

With rising global temperatures, depleting water resources, thousands of threatened species, and serious concerns about adequate world food supplies; there has never been a more critical time to think about the importance of water in our lives.  In celebration of World Water Day, 2008 nearly 800 students from 12 different countries participated in our International Poster Contest.  Winning posters were selected last week by a panel of four judges specializing in children’s environmental education, anthropology, and international development.  The posters were judged on visual message, impact, and creativity.  To view the Winning Posters and the names and origins of the students that drew them click here.

Nature’s Voice Our Choice received posters from students organizations, schools, and individuals from the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Sweden, Ghana, Canada, the United States, and New Zealand; all concerned about the state of water in their communities.  For more information about some of the organizations and schools that participated check out our Students Give Water a Voice Story.

Action Phase 

“The level of creativity, passion, and energy that students brought to this competition was incredible,” stated director Brandy Lellou.  “After we began to see the impact these posters could have on increasing public awareness of water issues, we added a unique ‘action phase’ to the project.  The winning posters will be used in a world wide water conservation campaign.  All funds generated from this campaign will be used to develop water preservation, conservation and restoration projects in each of the winners’ communities.

“The ‘action phase’ is designed to empower students by giving them the opportunity to apply their ideas to the development of concrete solutions to the water resource problems facing their communities,” states Ms. Lellou.  “Every community in the world suffers from a water resource related issues; and today’s students hold the solutions.  By fostering their interest, encouraging creative thinking, and empowering them to act; student can achieve tangible results and become agents of change in their communities.

NVOC will work closely with each of the winning students to create a committee of the students’ peers and mentors that will identify a water resource related problem within the community.  With technical and financial support from Nature’s Voice Our Choice they will develop and implement a sustainable solution.  The posters were on display at the Earth Day festival on April 20th on the National Mall in Washington DC, USA and will be on display at other earth day events throughout the week.  “We would like to thank all the students who put such creative energy into expressing what water means in their lives,” stated Ms. Lellou, “We believe that these posters will make an impact on their viewers and inspire them become more proactive in the preservation and conservation of their community’s water resources.”