Fast Retailing and its apparel brand Uniqlo are co-organizing the Youth with Refugees Art Contest with UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, inviting youth from around the world to submit their artwork, in conjunction with World Refugee Day 2023.
The theme for this year’s competition is ‘Hope Away from Home’, with particular emphasis on the importance of including refugees in society, so they can find hope and rebuild their lives.
In a statement, Fast Retailing chairman, president and CEO Tadashi Yanai said the partnership aims to do more than just provide financial and material support.
“We have been supporting refugees with UNHCR for 17 years. To solve the issues refugees faced in protracted situations, we must raise awareness and ensure refugees are supported to realize sustainable self-reliance,” Tadashi said.
“I hope our World Refugee Day campaign will provide an opportunity for people to learn about refugees, and to help ensure refugees can progress towards self-reliant, stable lives. We will continue to support refugees in need regardless of their origin and background,” he added.
The UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said, “Art is a great tool to express solidarity and brings people together across cultures and languages.
“We extend thanks for our longstanding partnership with Fast Retailing and Uniqlo and the commitment to the refugee cause.”
The Youth with Refugees Art Contest is open to individuals aged 10-30 years old. Young refugees, internally displaced people, asylum seekers, and stateless persons are also invited to participate.
Submission begins on June 15, 2023 at 5 pm GMT+8 and ends on September 30, 2023 at 11:59 am GMT+8.
The winning designs will be made into t-shirts, available for purchase at select Uniqlo stores, with 100% of profits channelled to UNHCR assistance programs around the world.
A selection of artwork reflecting the contest’s theme will be showcased on complimentary holiday cards distributed through Uniqlo stores.
Art workshops will also be hosted in several countries and in refugee communities during the competition period to raise awareness of refugee issues and to improve the wellbeing of refugees directly.
In addition, Uniqlo will expand the availability of MADE51 products, UNHCR’s brand of stylish accessories produced by refugees using traditional artisan techniques. Through this initiative, Fast Retailing aims to enable a livelihood for 150 refugees and their families.
For more information on the Youth with Refugees Art Contest, visit the contest website: https://www.unhcr.org/youth-refugees-art-contest
