On June 8, 2024, as part of the World Environment Day 2024 celebrations, the Environment and Social Development Organization – ESDO and Bangladesh Shishu Academy organized an art competition and an interactive discussion session for children. The event, supported by Mutual Trust Bank, aimed to build awareness about environmental issues among children, engage them with the World Environment Day theme, ensure their participation in climate action, and generate ideas from these future leaders on combating climate change.

The event was held in two sessions. The inaugural session began in the morning, with 300 children from Bangladesh Shishu Academy participating in an art competition. After the competition, participants expressed their views on the World Environment Day 2024 theme. The second session featured a prize-giving ceremony where a jury selected nine artworks for final prizes. The top nine participants received a crest, a book as a gift, a medal, and a certificate from the guests, while all other participants were awarded certificates and medals.

The participants, ranging from classes III to VIII, included a special category for children with disabilities. The competition’s themes were divided by class: students in classes III to V focused on plastic pollution and soil contamination, classes VI to VIII addressed plastic pollution and its impacts on water, and special children highlighted industrial waste and environmental pollution.

The event successfully built awareness about environmental issues among children, actively engaged them with the World Environment Day theme, and encouraged them to unite for climate action. It also allowed future leaders to present their unique ideas for combating climate change, enhancing collaborative initiatives between ESDO, Bangladesh Shishu Academy, and Mutual Trust Bank.