This year, MIS participated for the first time in the JQA International Environmental Children's Drawing Contest, and Maori from Shukugawa School won the First Prize.

The JQA International Environmental Children's Drawing Contest is organized by the Japan Quality Assurance Organization (JQA) and the International Certification Organization Network (IQNET), with support from the UNICEF Tokyo Office. The contest is open to children aged 7 to 15 from around the world. This year, winners were selected from over 8,500 entries submitted from 68 countries and regions. To date, more than 360,000 artworks have been submitted.

The theme for this year's contest was "Passing on Our Precious Earth to the Future." The challenge was to think about what is needed for all beings on Earth—humans, animals, plants, and more—to continue to live healthily, and to depict the scenery of the Earth.

As part of our curriculum, MIS students worked on their artwork in a three-week session. The project began with brainstorming sessions to deeply understand the theme, "Passing on Our Precious Earth to the Future.” Students discussed various aspects of our planet, including its diverse environments, the different species of humans and animals that inhabit it, and their ideal living conditions. These discussions helped spark their creativity and inspiration.

In the second week, students began the creation process. Utilizing the primary colors they had been studying, they enthusiastically brought their imagined visions to life. Notably, first-year students from Shukugawa were given the freedom to choose between colored pencils and paints, adding a new level of creative challenge.

The winning student, Maori depicted a bright and vibrant Earth where they and their sibling happily coexist. MIS is proud of all the students who participated in this challenge and hopes that this experience will build their confidence for the future.