..Press Release................................ UNESCAP News Services

Date 29 June 2005
Press Release No: G/13/2005

The United Nations and Thailand launch
the Asia-Pacific Animation Competition
to commemorate the UN 60th Anniversary

$15,000 total Prize money for winners

BANGKOK (United Nations Information Services) — A region-wide Animation Competition to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the United Nations was launched on 29 June 2005.

A short animation competition is the first activity of a year long celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the United Nations offices in Thailand.

There are two categories for entrants – ‘Youth’ (25 years old or below) and ‘Public’ - with three prizes in each category totalling $15,000. Winners will be flown to Bangkok to collect their prizes and participate in the United Nations Day celebrations on 24 October 2005.

The Asia-Pacific wide competition, organized jointly by the United Nations and Thailand’s Software Industry Promotion Agency (SIPA) of the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, invites entrants to submit short animations (under five minutes) on the United Nations working areas, namely:

“This animation competition will allow people of all ages across the Asia-Pacific region to show what peace and development means to them,” said Mr. Lazarus in a welcome statement read by Ms. Evelyn Domingo-Barker of United Nations Information Services. “Animation is a wonderful way to communicate the United Nations’ message of peace, security and human rights for all,” she added.

Mrs. Kruewal Somana, Chairperson of the Software Industry Promotion Agency (SIPA) said that it is a good opportunity for SIPA to extend its cooperation in organizing the short animation competition in Asia-Pacific, focusing on the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and world peace to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the United Nations.

“This is an international contest offering the chance to showcase ones’ creativity to the global audience in celebration of the United Nations’ 60 years of peace building and development programmes,” said Mr. Manoo Ordeedolchest, SIPA President.

“We expect several hundred entries from the whole Asia-Pacific region,” said Mr. Sirisak Koshpasharin of SIPA.

Competition entrants must be citizens of the Asia-Pacific region and can use any animation technique, including 2D cartoon animation, computer-aided 3D animation, clay animation or digital interferences on a visual product, as long as copyright rules are respected. Entries can be submitted by post or online no later than 1 October 2005.

Competition details and entry forms can be found in the June 2005 edition of ICT magazine or online:
http://www.un-shortanime.com/

For further information, please contact:

Mr. David Lazarus, Chief
UN Information Services Bangkok
UN Building, Rajadamnern Nok Ave.
Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Tel: (66-2) 288-1861-69, Fax: (66-2) 288-1052
E-mail: unisbkk.unescap@un.org
www.unescap.org

Software Industry Promotion Agency (Public Organization), 89/2 Moo 3, TOT Corporation Plc., Building 9, 11th Fl., Cheangwattana Road, Laksi, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
Tel: (662) 554 0400, Fax: (662) 554 0402
E-mail: Training@sipa.or.th
www.sipa.or.th

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