Creating a fairer Britain
The Equality and Human Rights Commission in Wales is delighted to announce the winners of the Croeso Project’s animation competition.
National Director for Wales, Kate Bennett met with the Year 6 pupils of Cardiff’s Coryton Primary School to tell them the exciting news.
Imogen Buckley, Cameron Hunter, Ben Davies, Sam Willson
and Mathew Johnson, all aged 11, won the top prize. Their idea beat over 1000 entries from across Wales.
On finding out they were successful Cameron said, 'I felt honoured and stunned that we had won' Ben added 'I was surprised we’d won because the competition was open to a large age group and I thought older children would win.'
The competition was launched in January of this year to find an idea which challenged discrimination and prejudice. It was open to all young people in Wales aged 25 or under. The prize is to have that initial idea brought to life by award-winning Welsh animation company Calon, and to have the animation screened in cinemas across Wales this summer.
Kate Bennett said, 'The standard of the entries was exceptional, and we were so pleased to have such a fantastic response. The winning idea was chosen for the simplicity of its message and including different aspects of equality and diversity. And above all, it communicates clearly that bullying and discrimination are totally unacceptable.'
On the thinking behind their winning idea, Sam said, 'We chose bullying because it is relevant to schools and we thought about the main reasons children are bullied.'
Imogen added, 'I think sometimes I feel sorry for bullies because they have their own sad reasons for behaving like they do. Our animation makes me feel quite sad because this type of bullying is going on in schools and I want to stop it'. Mathew asks, 'I see no point in prejudice, why can’t we all live in peace?'
The animation is currently in the final stages of post-production and will be available to view on the Commission’s own and social network sites after the premiere screening in Cardiff on 15 July.