The five winners with their designs. © UNHCR
The winners’ designs will be turned into graphic t-shirts by our global partner UNIQLO
By UNHCR staff
Today, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, announced the winners of the third edition of the Youth with Refugees Art Contest.
The five best designs on the theme “Hope away from Home” will be turned into a collection of graphic t-shirts by our global partner UNIQLO, available for sale in 2024 to raise funds for people forced to flee. Over 4,000 young artists from refugee and host communities joined the art contest worldwide. The full list of winners, star awards and special mentions can be found here.
“A little love from home” – Afya, 14, USA
“The heart-shaped paper airplane is from someone important. When someone receives it on the other side of the globe, they will be hopeful and optimistic as a result of getting a little love while being away from home.”
“Friend code” – Asifiwe, 14, Burundi/USA
“My drawing is a picture of my friend group from when I lived in Burundi. We all follow our friend code that says: ‘My friend squad comes first and nobody can break us apart.’ My friends are a source of strength and hope for me. We may be separate but I am sure we’re together in heart and that our memories will continue to live on.”
“One moon” – Georgette, 14, Tanzania/DRC
“The sky and moon symbolize protection and unity. Despite our differences, we are all under the sky and share one moon, it doesn’t matter where you are, there is only one moon, and you are protected by the sky. I want to be a president because I believe I will have the power to make decisions that will not hurt people; power to end wars in the world.”
“Birds from home” – Mawardi, 20, Somalia/Ethiopia
“I remember the beautiful birds in my home country in the beautiful green forest. My hope is to see these birds again in the future, whether in my home country or somewhere else.”
“Wings of hope” – Virag, 28, Hungary
“Having met many inspiring asylum-seekers and refugees, I know how important ‘hope away from home’ is to rebuild one’s life in a new environment. My drawing aims to express the act of chasing this hope, and the heart symbolizes that it is very much possible to follow your dreams, even if you are far away from home.”
Originally published by UNHCR on 25 November 2023.
