OREANDA-NEWS.  February 09, 2012. Panasonic Corporation held the award ceremony of "Eco Picture Diary Global Contest" which Panasonic has been promoting with the aim to raise awareness of the environmental issues, and eco actions among the next generation, with the finalists of national competitions attending the ceremony at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France, at 13:00 (local time) on Wednesday, February 8. The Grand Prix has been awarded to the Eco Picture Diary of Ms. Jeamyma Pazsa Natasuarna from Indonesia.

The "Eco-Picture Diary Contest" is a program developed globally as part of "Panasonic kids school" - Panasonic's next generation promotion support activity and education programs, which gives the children the opportunity to learn about environment issues and thinking about the eco action ideas to protect our planet in an easy-to-understand and playful way.

In the 2011 Eco Picture Diary Global Contest, around 130,000 works were submitted by children from 37 countries and regions, and their ideas are presented with vivid pictures and thoughtful expressions. The national winners of 29 countries attended the ceremony in Paris, where they were recognized with the various category prizes by a group of judges, which included the UNESCO ambassadors and international specialists in environmental issues. The company's brand ambassador Ms. Sarah Brightman was also newly appointed UNESCO Artist for Peace on February 8, and attended the ceremony as a judge and ambassador of the UNESCO.

The Grand Prix-winning Eco picture Diary by Ms. Jeamyma Pazsa Natasuarna was well received for its clear themes on global environmental issues and conveying strong messages on how we must protect the earth.

Moreover, there was a special prize related to the partnership activities called "World Heritage Eco Learning Program." In cooperation with the UNESCO, Panasonic undertakes the program that promotes the environmental education for the next generation to raise awareness of importance of the environment and preservation of World Heritage. In 2011, 1,700 children in five countries visited and engaged in the unique environmental activities at each World Heritage site. The eco picture diary of Ms. Kendra Yunuar Rahma, who participated in the program in Indonesia's World Heritage Ujung Kulon National Park, was awarded the "World Heritage Eco Learning Program Prize." Panasonic will subsequently initiate this program in a total of 10 countries, aiming to engage approximately 4,000 children by the end of fiscal 2012.
 Panasonic and UNESCO World Heritage Centre entered into a strategic partnership agreement to promote sustainable development through World Heritage conservation and environmental education for the next generation on June 3rd, 2011. As the strategic partnership strengthens the relationship built on the successful collaboration over the years, Panasonic continues to promote the 40th anniversary of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention through the World Heritage Eco Learning Program and various promotional events.

"This new partnership will strengthen our ability to accomplish the mission. Thorough Panasonic's press and television campaigns, World Heritage sites will be showcased to raise awareness among the wide public about the needs to deepen the promotion of the heritage and the environment. We will stimulate the interest of young people in World Heritage Conservation and environmental issues through video contests and site visits. We will work together to take forward a range of activities of youth education," said Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director General.

"Panasonic aims to be the 'No. 1 Green Innovation Company in the Electronics Industry' by 2018, its 100th anniversary. By putting the environment at the core of every part of its business, Panasonic is combining its environmental contributions with business growth. Panasonic will continue to promote the activities for environment protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage sites of outstanding universal value for future generations," said Lauren Abadie, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Panasonic Europe Ltd.

At the press conference reporting the partnership activity on the same day, Panasonic introduced communication activities including Panasonic's sole sponsorship of "The World Heritage Special" aired on the National Geographic Channel in 183 countries and areas, and various communication activities featuring Ms. Sarah Brightman and her song "Shall Be Done." Also, at the UNESCO headquarters, a super-wide 3D visual landscape created with five large screen plasma displays called "DIVE into World Heritage 3D" was shown to the participants and visitors-a magnificent world of majestic images of World Heritage sites including Grand Canyon and Stonehenge.