Sustainable Development Policy Institute on Monday, held prize
distribution ceremony of inter-school poster/painting competition. The
poster competition on "Chemicals Impacts on Environment and Children
Health – Beware of Mercury" was targeted at two levels: junior level
(class 5^th – 8^th) and senior level (class 9^th – 12^th, including O & A levels students).

The competition encouraged youth to reflect upon the issue of
chemicals and their impacts on environment and health. It was expected
that the contest would lead to increased awareness and garner greater
support for protection of environment. Around 30 schools in Rawalpindi
and Islamabad participated in the competition, where about 400 entries
were submitted to the organizers.

In senior section, Yashaf Nadeem from Islamabad College for Girls won
first prize, Kanza Mussadiq from PAEC College Nilore got 2nd prize,
Khadija Noor, also from Islamabad College for Girls got the third prize,
Uzair Munir and Roha Sikander from Beaconhouse Margalla Campus got 4^th & 5^th positions
likewise. In junior section, Maheen Kamran from Brookfield ISSC Campus
won first prize, Fatimah from Khaldunia High School won second prize,
Minahil Naveed of Beaconhouse Civil Lines Rawalpindi won the third prize
while Manahil Bahaarwa from Khaldunia High School & Sulaiman Qazi
from Beaconhouse School System won 4^th & 5^th prize vice versa.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Guest, Dr. Ghulam Asghar Abbasi,
Chief (Health Section), Planning Commission of Pakistansaid that there
is need to sensitize the youth creating awareness on scientific subject.
He congratulated the prize winning students and encouraged them to
excel in life and win Nobel prizes for the country.  He also suggested
to the organizer of the competition to arrange a screening of
documentary about mercury disaster in Minamata Japan a few years back.

Dr. Mahmood A. Khawaja, SDPI Senior Advisor, briefed participants on
adverse impacts of chemicals and recent international negotiations to
curb the use of hazardous pollutant Mercury. He said that SDPI took an
initiative to use ART for advocacy and awareness raising on health and
environmental issues, especially among school students. This competition
sought to raise awareness on negative effects of chemicals especially
mercury on environment and health. “We had anticipated that the contest
would lead to greater understanding for minimizing chemicals production
and use (especially mercury) for the protection of environment, healthy
living and sustainable development” he said.

In his welcome remarks, Dr. Abid Qayium Suleri, Executive Director,
SDPI appreciated the efforts of students. He said thatMercury poses
risks to environment and human health, especially of children. However,
it is great to know that after receiving our recommendations Polyclinic
Islamabad has banned use of mercury chemical in its premises.

Dr. Vaqar Ahmed, Deputy Executive Director, SDPI said that SDPI would
continue to work with youth to preserve biodiversity and protect
environment.

In her concluding remarks, Sadia Sharif, Advocacy Officer, SDPI
informed participants about upcoming theatre/Skit competition on the
same topic, which will be announced soon.