Competition in “Postcards and Human Rights: Ten Youngsters Awarded

Ten young people were awarded, on February 16, 2009 in Rabat, following a competition in "Postcards and Human Rights", organized by The Advisory Council on Human Rights’ Center for Documentation, Information and Training in Human Rights (CDIFDH, on the occasion of 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

This contest aims to popularize the UDHR articles and to enable young people to express their vision of human rights through postcards (via drawings, paintings, computer graphics...).

Of a total of 300 applications received from different cities of Morocco, (Agadir, Essaouira, Figuig, Temara-Skhirat, Casablanca, Guelmim, Sefrou, Safi, Laayoune, Mohammedia, Rabat, Fez, Al Hoceima...), the jury selected 10 postcards designed by young people of two age groups: 13-18 and 19-25.

The works of the candidates deal with several topics related to human rights, including the right to life and to security, and freedom of opinion and expression.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, the CCDH President, Mr. Ahmed Herzenni, said that this competition was part of the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the UDHR at a time when human rights had become a daily claim about a better future for all peoples of the world. He also said that the winning works highlighted the commitment of young generations to the philosophy and principles of human rights, stressing in this regard that these artistic works conveyed a message whose goal was to make the philosophy of human rights a common reference for all citizens.

Mr. Hamid El Kam, CDIFDH Director, explained that an independent commission composed of specialists in the field ensured the selection of the award-winning postcards on the basis of a set of standards. Mr. El Kam said that the committee also recommended the use of other non-winning cards.

The ceremony was attended by the Rector of the Royal Institute for Amazigh Culture (IRCAM), Mr. Ahmed Boukous, the President of the Moroccan Organization for Human Rights (OMDH), Ms. Amina Bouayach and several human rights activists.

It should be noted that the selected works were exhibited in the stand of the CCDH and the Council for the Moroccan Community Abroad (CCME) as part of the fifteenth edition of the Casablanca book fair (SIEL), held from 13 to 22 February 2009.