The Pan-Armenian Painting Contest, which enables young Armenians around the world to unite and express their environmental ideas and concerns through pictures, was organized for the ninth year in 2016.

The Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) and VivaCell-MTS have summarized the results of the 9th Annual Pan-Armenian Painting Contest. More than 600 pictures have been submitted for consideration this time. 5-16 year old young people from Armenia and the Diaspora conveyed their thoughts on nature and the environment via pictures. 12 young people were awarded in 3 nominations as a result.

“The way of struggle the participants have chosen is unique and efficient: objection is expressed silently, yet to the point. Every participant answers to the question raised in their own pictures, committing to pay more attention to the environmental protection. We educate a whole generation, which is extremely important,” said VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian.

In addition, on the occasion of cooperation between FPWC and VivaCell-MTS and the 10th anniversary of founding the SunChild eco-clubs, Yirikian was awarded the Sustainable Planet prize.

The nominations of the 9th Annual Pan Armenian Painting Contest are: If nature could speak, Life for plants, oxygen for us and The Earth without us.

"It's been 10 years since the founding of SunChild eco-clubs and the cooperation between the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets and VivaCell-MTS. The path we have taken was full of achievements and the results were tangible. Thousands of students of the eco-clubs from all the provinces of Armenia received environmental education; the clubs also had a key role in the professional orientation of these young people. Many of them even revealed opportunities to study abroad and are currently embarking on the realization of their dreams. In the framework of these eco-clubs the Sunchildren have formed and developed ecological thinking, which, regardless of their future profession, will accompany them throughout their lives. This is our vision for a citizen who is responsible for the country, for the environment and for the planet," said Ruben Khachatryan, the Founder of FPWC.

The winners are:

Nomination: If nature could speak

5 to 8 age group - Sona Smbatyan,7, Yerevan

9 to 12 age group - Sofi Gharibyan, 12, Urtsadzor (Ararat province)

13 to 16 age group - Artak Sargsyan,13., Yerevan

Incentive prize - Mari Zohrabyan, 7, Ayntap (Ararat province)

Nomination: Life for plants, oxygen for us

5 - 8 age group - Hermine Ohanjanyan, 8, Masis (Ararat province)

9 - 12 age group - Julieta Adamyan,11, Yerevan

13 - 16 age group - Meline Galoyan,14, Metsamor (Armavir province)

Incentive prize - Anna Astvatsatryan, 9, Yerevan

Nomination : The Earth without us

5 - 8 age group - Milena Poghosyan, 7, Ptghunk (Armavir province)

9 - 12 age group - Suren Ordyan, 11, Masis (Ararat province)

13 - 16 age group - Lili Hovhannisyan, 14,, Dilijan (Tavush province)

Incentive prize - Mkhitar Hovhannisyan, 6, Yerevan