{"id":11041,"date":"2025-05-16T08:13:08","date_gmt":"2025-05-16T08:13:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gcr.gr\/?p=11041"},"modified":"2025-05-16T09:49:31","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T09:49:31","slug":"oikogeneia-simainei-na-mi-leipei-kanenas-apo-to-spiti","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gcr.gr\/en\/news\/item\/oikogeneia-simainei-na-mi-leipei-kanenas-apo-to-spiti\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cFamily means a home with no one missing\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

UNHCR announces the winners of the 28th Annual Student Contest on the theme \u201cFamily Means Together\u201d
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To mark the International Day of Families, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is pleased to announce the results of its 28th Annual National Student Contest<\/a> in Greece, held under the theme \u201cFamily Means Together.\u201d This year\u2019s theme was closely linked to UNHCR\u2019s\u201cHope Away from Home\"<\/a>campaign, which highlights the importance of family unity for refugees around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A record number of more than 3,700 students from schools across Greece participated in the contest. Through their creative submissions, students explored the meaning of family and reflected on the profound impact of separation \u2013 particularly for refugee children forced to flee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Working individually or in groups, students submitted 1,151 sketches, posters, and postcards addressed to separated refugee families and decision-makers. Their messages called for a world in which every family can remain together or be reunited, urging those in power to take meaningful action to turn this vision into reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis year, we invited students to use colours, words and imagination to advocate for the universal right to family unity. Their response was overwhelming\u201d, said Maria Clara Martin, UNHCR Representative in Greece. \u201cWith almost 123 million people around the world displaced due to escalating conflicts, violence and human rights violations, and many among them torn from their loved ones, these student creations send a powerful message of solidarity and hope\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One student wrote to decision-makers: \u201cSeparated family members are not statistics. They are lives. And your decisions can determine whether these lives will be filled with hope or despair\u201d, a strong reminder that no effort should be spared to bring families together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A special committee evaluated all entries based on their originality, creativity and depth of message, awarding three entries per educational level. The evaluation committee consisted of representatives from\u00a0Network for Children\u2019s Rights<\/strong>the\u00a0Greek Council for Refugees<\/strong>the\u00a0Hellenic Theatre\/Drama and Education Network<\/strong>,\u00a0AthensComics\u00a0Library<\/strong>the\u00a0UNRIC \u2013 the UN Regional Information Centre<\/strong>\u00a0(Office for Greece) and\u00a0UNHCR<\/strong>. The committee also included\u00a0Popi Kyrdi<\/strong>, teacher and head of Cultural Programmes at the Primary Education Directorate of A\u2019 Athens,\u00a0\u039daemi Solomon<\/strong>, a young refugee\u00a0whose family was reunited<\/a>\u00a0in Greece after years of separation, and\u00a0Giorgos Benos<\/strong>, actor and UNHCR supporter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winning students will receive commemorative gifts from UNHCR, including backpacks, canvas bags and T-shirts from the exclusive \u201cHope Away From Home\u201d<\/a> collection. All participants will receive a digital certificate of participation in recognition of their creativity and participation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNHCR warmly congratulates all the winners and sincerely thanks every student, teacher, and school that took part in this year\u2019s contest, as well as the members of the evaluation committee for their valuable support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The winning entries<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Kindergarten:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n