Fast Retailing Co. Ltd. and the largest of its apparel brand, Uniqlo, mark World Refugee Day on June 20 by co-organizing the 2023 Youth with Refugees Art Contest in partnership with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.
Speaking of the announcement, Tadashi Yanai, Chairman, President & CEO of Fast Retailing, said: “We have been supporting refugees with UNHCR for 17 years. Our partnership aims to do more than just provide financial and material support.
"To solve the issues refugees face in protracted situations, we must raise awareness and ensure refugees are supported to realize sustainable self-reliance.
"I hope our World Refugee Day campaign will provide an opportunity for people to learn about refugees, and to help ensure refugees can progress towards self-reliant, stable lives.
"We will continue to support refugees in need regardless of their origin and background.”
Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, also commented, saying: “We are thrilled to be cooperating with Fast Retailing and Uniqlo again on this exciting project.
"Art is a great tool to express solidarity and brings people together across cultures and languages.
"We extend thanks for our longstanding partnership and the commitment to the refugee cause.”
The Youth with Refugees Art Contest was first launched by UNHCR during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing an opportunity for young individuals to make an impact for those displaced from their homes.
The second edition, which garnered multiple awards, raised funds for refugee sports programs through the sale of ethically manufactured footballs designed by young artists.
Along with raising awareness of displacement issues, the contest enables young refugee artists to express themselves and to discover a constructive purpose after fleeing from conflict.
In this year’s edition, the Youth with Refugees Art Contest centres around the theme “Hope Away from Home”, inviting young amateur and professional artists (aged 10 to 30) as well as young refugee artists, to creatively express their interpretation of hope.
The winning designs will be made into t-shirts, available for purchase at select Uniqlo stores, with 100% of profits channelled to UNHCR assistance programs around the world.
A selection of artwork reflecting the contest’s theme will be showcased on complimentary holiday cards distributed through Uniqlo stores.
Art holds great power to support the emotional needs of refugees and to communicate their humanity and a great desire to contribute to the community.
Fast Retailing and UNHCR are joining forces for two additional creative projects to complement the Youth with Refugees Art Contest.
The first project involves organizing a series of art workshops that will be hosted during the competition period, commencing in New York and Tokyo, and in refugee communities.
These workshops will be conducted in conjunction with artists and NGOs to raise awareness of refugee issues and to improve the wellbeing of refugees directly.
In addition, Uniqlo will expand the availability of MADE51 products, UNHCR’s brand of stylish accessories produced by refugees using traditional artisan techniques.
Through this initiative, Fast Retailing aims to enable a livelihood for 150 refugees and their families.
Contest Outline:
Theme:
“Hope away from home,” is chosen to emphasize the importance of including refugees in society, so they can find hope and rebuild their lives.
Contest website:
https://www.unhcr.org/youth-refugees-art-contest
Submission period:
Starts: Tuesday, June 15, 2023, 5 p.m. GMT+8
Closes: Saturday, September 30, 2023, 11:59 a.m. GMT+8
Eligibility:
Individuals aged 10-30 years old. Participants do not need to be professional artists. Young refugees, internally displaced people, asylum seekers, and stateless persons are also invited to participate.
How to enter:
Create an artwork such as a drawing or comic strip by hand, or by using a computer or tablet. Submit a picture or scanned image of the entry online through the above site.
Judging criteria:
Submissions will be evaluated based on creativity and how effectively the art conveys its message based on the theme. Winners will be selected by a jury of celebrities, refugees, and artists.
Prize:
Five winning designs will be announced in December 2023, when the Global Refugee Forum take place.
These will be turned into t-shirts and sold in Uniqlo stores and UNHCR visibility stores to raise funds for displaced people.
Winners will receive trophies and their own t-shirts.
The winning designs will be displayed in a special exhibition at UNHCR headquarters and will be shared with millions of followers on Uniqlo and UNHCR social media platforms.
Judges:
Special judging committee selected by Fast Retailing and UNHCR. - KitaReporters/Media Release
