Tekenwedstrijd ter ere van Hongaars voorzitterschap (en)

Two ministries have called a drawing contest for children to mark the Hungarian Presidency. How do children see the European Union and its future? This is the question that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Resources of the Republic of Hungary were seeking the answer to at the joint drawing contest “My message to Europe”.

Students studying in the 1700 or so elementary schools of Hungary can send their pencil, chalk or colour pen drawings, which depict how they would like to see the Europe of the future.

Message of solidarity

Third grade pupils of the Hild József Elementary School articulated their thoughts on the subject during one of their drawing classes. The School Principal explained in a few words the ideas behind the EU to the 9-10 year old students and work commenced. The children were primarily inspired by the idea of mutual assistance and this is evident from the drawings sent to the organising Ministries. There was for example a drawing on which soldiers of different nationalities protect a fortress together. One girl drew 27 countries with hearts and Hungary in the middle. Another young artist said that it was good that finally a small country has the possibility to lead the community and that “small ones are also given a chance”. The drawings prepared, testify that children understood the task perfectly and that they were most sensitive to solidarity and helping each other. This was a clear message from them on how they wanted to see the European Union.

Time Capsule

Organisers of the program will select about fifty of the more than one thousand drawing by draw. The drawings will be put in a time capsule and in 2016, when the Netherlands will be in the rotating Presidency, they will open the capsule to see what was realised of the ideas of children today? Other drawings - also selected by draw - will appear on the webpage of the Hungarian Presidency.