Fashion designer Stella McCartney and War Child UK have launched a global project to use young people’s creativity to help support vulnerable children living in conflict zones around the world.
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The ‘Draw me to Safety’ art project was first launched in London with UN Special Envoy Angelina Jolie. It aims to use art created by children from across the UK and countries affected by conflict to promote messages about what the concept of safety means to children today.
Stella McCartney commented, ‘This project is about young people standing with children affected by conflict. Children see the world with clarity and honesty. War Child UK and I are excited to share their insights through art that will raise awareness and encourage the world to do more to protect children from war.’
The project is asking UK children aged eight to 15 to submit artwork that answers the question ‘What makes you feel safe?’ Stella McCartney will then create a T-shirt inspired by children’s drawings, with proceeds going directly to War Child UK. The T-shirt will be available in Spring 2015 in all Stella McCartney stores worldwide, and the images will be featured in an online gallery.
Rob Williams OBE, Chief Executive of War Child UK, added, ‘There are children across the world who don’t know what safety means because all they have ever seen is conflict. Draw me to Safety is about the power of children’s voices to talk directly to the world. We are very grateful to Stella McCartney for her response to these voices and her support to help make safety a closer reality for children in war.’
Poline Akello, a War Child UK young ambassador from Northern Uganda who was a survivor of sexual violence following abduction into sexual slavery aged twelve, said, ‘We need to provide a safe environment for children. We need to respect children’s rights, treat them fairly and provide education – let education be the first priority for helping children in conflict.’
Entries must be sent by post before 31st October, to:
War Child UK – Draw Me to Safety
Linton House
39-51 Highgate road
London
NW5 1RT
War Child UK was founded in 1993 by film-makers David Wilson and Bill Leeson, with the mission to support and improve the protection and care of children and young people living in poverty and exclusion in some of the worst conflict-affected places. Fashion designer Stella McCartney is a lifelong vegetarian who doesn’t use any fur, skins or leather in her designs. None of her products are tested on animals and all her products have been PVC-free since 2010.
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