WSIS
Poster Contest 2003
Guidelines and Entry Form |
The World Summit on the Information Society in collaboration with
the United Nations Cyberschoolbus is pleased to announce the WSIS
Poster Contest 2003.
The modern world is undergoing a fundamental change as the industrial
society of the 20th century is being rapidly replaced by the information
society of the 21st century. Information and communication technologies
(ICTs) have changed every aspect of our lives – how we do business,
how we learn, how we spend our leisure time, and the way in which
governments provide services to its citizens. Information societies
should use ICTs, like the telephone, radio, television, and computer
in ways that benefit everyone.
In December 2003, world leaders will be gathering in Geneva, Switzerland
for the first phase of the World Summit on the Information Society
(WSIS). Their attention will be focused on growing gap between countries
that have access to ICTs and those that do not. Their goal will be
to find ways to make sure that all people benefit from the information
revolution that is taking place.
The WSIS poster contest gives students around the world an opportunity
to convey their vision of an Information Society. |
| Theme |
 |
 |
Students should choose one of the following topics as a theme for
their poster:
1. ICTs Help People Learn about the World They Live In
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have made it possible
for information about the earth, plants, animals, and other living
organisms that share this planet with us, to be spread instantaneously.
As access to ICTs increases, we will be able to share this knowledge
with more people all over the world. Make a poster that shows the
potential of ICTs to provide this information to everyone.
2. ICTs Help People Appreciate Cultural
Diversity
Another advantage of information and communication technologies (ICTs)
is that they can connect people who live very far from each other.
You can talk to people in places you have never visited. Make a poster
that shows the potential of ICTs to connect people all over the world
to build a culture of peace and respect for cultural diversity.
3. ICTs Can Help Improve Our Quality
of Life
In September 2000, world leaders agreed to use their governments’
resources to combat poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, discrimination
against women, and to protect the environment. Make a poster that
shows how ICTs could be used to help find solutions to any of these
global problems. For example, how could ICTs be used to help deliver
basic health services more efficiently or contribute to protecting
the environment?
4. ICTs Can Make it Easier for People
to Participate in Making Decisions on Issues and for Governments to
Provide Services to Citizens
One of the goals of the World Summit on the Information Society is
to find ways to use ICTs to help people, particularly women, become
more involved in their local governments and to participate in making
decisions. In addition, the WSIS will also be focusing on how governments
can use ICTs to deliver services more efficiently to their citizens.
Make a poster that shows the potential for ICTs to be used in this
way.
5. Information and Human Rights
Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) guarantees
the right to seek, receive, and pass on information through any media.
At the time the UDHR was written many of the ICTs that exist today
were not available. New technologies such as the computer and cell
phones have given new meaning to the right to seek, receive, and pass
on information. Make a poster that illustrates the basic right of
everyone to give and get information no matter where they live or
the many ways that ICTs are used to give and get information.
6. ICTs and the Digital Divide
Despite the rapid increase in ICTs around the world, there is still
an enormous gap between those that have and use ICTs and those that
do not. This information gap is called the “digital divide”
and exists between rich and poor countries, high-income and low-income
families, boys and girls, different ethnic groups and even rural and
urban communities. Make a poster that shows the need to reduce the
digital divide. |
| Eligibility |
|
| |
Students currently enrolled in Primary
School (9 years old and up), Intermediate School, and Secondary School
are eligible to enter the contest. Students younger than 9 years old
as well as those that have already graduated from Secondary School
will not be eligible to enter this contest. Each entry must be sponsored
by a teacher or principal from the student’s school. All
entries must include the Entry Form that
is provided below.
Entry categories: One winner from each educational level (Primary,
Intermediate, and Secondary) will be chosen. Winning entries will
be exhibited at the World Summit on the Information Society in December,
2003. |
| Specifications |
|
| |
Use crayons, coloured pencil, markers, paint, water
colour, charcoal or other drawing materials. Collages consisting of
material cut out of magazines and sculptures will not be accepted.
Words can be incorporated into the poster but are not required. Entries
should be submitted on paper or cardboard within the following size
limits:
• No larger than 60 x 45 cm (18” x 24”)
• No smaller than 28 x 23 cm (81/2” x 11”)
On the back of each poster, include:
• The artist’s
name, age and educational level (specify Primary/Elementary, Intermediate/Middle,
or Secondary)
• Name of institution and grade
•
Address and country
|
Evaluation of
Entries |
|
| |
Entries will be judged on:
• how well they illustrate one
of the themes described above
• artistic expression
• creative use of ICTs in the poster
|
| Prize |
|
| |
One entry from each educational level will be made
into a poster and exhibited at the World Summit on the Information
Society in Geneva, Switzerland to be held in December, 2003.
|
| Deadline |
|
| |
Entries for the WSIS Poster Contest 2003 must be
postmarked by 31 October 2003. |
|
