The United Nations Environment Programme (Unep) and the Foundation for Global Peace and the Environment, Japan, are organising the 11th international painting contest from November 1 to January 11, 2002. Children between the ages of six and 15 years from all regions of the world are invited to participate.

This year's theme is "Preserve the Beautiful Oceans, Skies and Forests for the Future".

The sponsors of the contest hope to interest and motivate children to paint their vision for the future of the environment.

``Through the International Painting Contest for Children, we are eager to see the visions, aspirations and creativity of children,'' said Klaus Toepfer, Unep's executive director.

Prizes will be awarded for the best 300 entries, which will be used for the compilation of a calendar, posters, publications and exhibitions worldwide. All entries will be stored by the National Museums of Ethnology, Japan.

Paintings must be done on drawing paper 11.7 x 16.5 inches. On the back of each entry, write out in English print letters your full name; birth date including year; home address and phone number; name of school and grade; school address including country name, phone number and fax number; and email address, if any.

Style of painting is free: crayons, coloured pencils, water colours, etc.

Paintings that have already been shown elsewhere or accepted for another contest will not be accepted, and make sure that your paintings do not show a particular person, organisation or a brand name, otherwise it will not be accepted.

Do not include any word in the paintings.

Three first prizes and eight second prizes will be given a diploma and a plaque; 30 third prizes, 60 fourth prizes, and 200 fifth prizes will be given diplomas, as will three special prizes each for entries on the themes ``Save the Sea'' and ``Forests for the Future''.

In addition, winners will receive special drawing kits, and stationery, etc, as well as a copy of an environmental cartoon booklet ``Secrets of the Earth'' Aika Tsubota, 12, a recipient of the Unep Global 500 Award.

To obtain entry forms or further details about the contest, contact Ms Tomoko Yano, Secretary General, Foundation for Global Peace and Environment, 401 Hawamita Tsunazaka Bldg, 2-7-7, Mita, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 108, Japan. Tel: (81-3) 5442-3161, Fax: (81-3) 5442-3431, Email: fgpe@chikyu-e.com; or visit Unep's Web site at http://www.unep.org (select Children and Youth from highlights).

The deadline for entries is January 11, 2002. Entries must be sent to Foundation for Global Peace and Environment (FGPE), 401 Howamita Tsunazaka Bldg., 2-7-7, Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0073, Japan.

Prize winners will be announced in May, 2002. Each winner will be notified by mail, and prizes will be delivered directly to the winner, or his/her school or organisation.