Winning posters to be shown at Expo 2015 in Milan

A worldwide drive to wipe out hunger is showing signs of progress, but many people living in hunger and extreme poverty need help now. This is the concept behind the 2015 edition of FAO’s World Food Day poster contest, which has “social protection” as its theme. 

The annual contest is open to young people from 5 to 17 years of age. This year’s best posters will enjoy wide publicity, and be part of an exhibition at Expo 2015 in Milan, Italy. Entries will be accepted until the 30 September deadline.

Many people around the world have suffered shocks due to climate change, natural disasters or armed conflicts, but those most severely affected tend to be the poor and marginalized – often people who live in rural areas. “Social protection” measures can serve as a shelter, allowing the most vulnerable to recover more easily and build their resilience.

What is social protection?  Social protection means programmes that provide support so that poor and vulnerable people can improve their income, abilities and rights. Here are some real-world examples:

• school breakfast or lunch programmes, with food sourced from family farms 
• training 
• jobs on public projects
• small loans 
• social insurance 
• direct income transfers.

Social protection shouldn’t be a stand-alone activity, but part of a mix of actions in agriculture, rural development, public health, education, and food systems. Agriculture is especially important, since the majority of people without social protection live in rural areas and depend on agriculture to earn their living.

About the contest

The annual World Food Day Poster Contest is one of the oldest FAO outreach projects, now involving children and young people on every continent.

Entries may be submitted online until 30 September, through the poster contest webpages. Winners will be announced on World Food Day – 16 October.

Posters will be published on FAO’s website, and selected bests will be showcased at Expo Milano 2015, where World Food Day will be observed in the presence of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and many other officials and VIPs.

Since 2015 marks the 70th Anniversary of FAO, all award winners will also receive a commemorative medal.