OSAKA, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Panasonic Corporation held the award ceremony of “Eco Picture Diary Global Contest” which Panasonic has been promoting with the aim to raise awareness of the environmental issues, and eco actions among the next generation, with the finalists of national competitions attending the ceremony at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France, at 13:00 (local time) on Wednesday, February 8. The Grand Prix has been awarded to the Eco Picture Diary of Ms. Jeamyma Pazsa Natasuarna from Indonesia.

The “Eco-Picture Diary Contest” is a program developed globally as part of "Panasonic kids school" - Panasonic’s next generation promotion support activity and education programs, which gives the children the opportunity to learn about environment issues and thinking about the eco action ideas to protect our planet in an easy-to-understand and playful way.

In the 2011 Eco Picture Diary Global Contest, around 130,000 works were submitted by children from 37 countries and regions, and their ideas are presented with vivid pictures and thoughtful expressions. The national winners of 29 countries attended the ceremony in Paris, where they were recognized with the various category prizes by a group of judges, which included the UNESCO ambassadors and international specialists in environmental issues. The company’s brand ambassador Ms. Sarah Brightman was also newly appointed UNESCO Artist for Peace on February 8, and attended the ceremony as a judge and ambassador of the UNESCO.

The Grand Prix-winning Eco picture Diary by Ms. Jeamyma Pazsa Natasuarna was well received for its clear themes on global environmental issues and conveying strong messages on how we must protect the earth.

Moreover, there was a special prize related to the partnership activities called "World Heritage Eco Learning Program.” In cooperation with the UNESCO, Panasonic undertakes the program that promotes the environmental education for the next generation to raise awareness of importance of the environment and preservation of World Heritage. In 2011, 1,700 children in five countries visited and engaged in the unique environmental activities at each World Heritage site. The eco picture diary of Ms. Kendra Yunuar Rahma, who participated in the program in Indonesia’s World Heritage Ujung Kulon National Park, was awarded the "World Heritage Eco Learning Program Prize." Panasonic will subsequently initiate this program in a total of 10 countries, aiming to engage approximately 4,000 children by the end of fiscal 2012.

Panasonic and UNESCO World Heritage Centre entered into a strategic partnership agreement to promote sustainable development through World Heritage conservation and environmental education for the next generation on June 3^rd, 2011. As the strategic partnership strengthens the relationship built on the successful collaboration over the years, Panasonic continues to promote the 40^th anniversary of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention through the World Heritage Eco Learning Program and various promotional events.

“This new partnership will strengthen our ability to accomplish the mission. Thorough Panasonic’s press and television campaigns, World Heritage sites will be showcased to raise awareness among the wide public about the needs to deepen the promotion of the heritage and the environment. We will stimulate the interest of young people in World Heritage Conservation and environmental issues through video contests and site visits. We will work together to take forward a range of activities of youth education,” said Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director General.

“Panasonic aims to be the ‘No. 1 Green Innovation Company in the Electronics Industry’ by 2018, its 100th anniversary. By putting the environment at the core of every part of its business, Panasonic is combining its environmental contributions with business growth. Panasonic will continue to promote the activities for environment protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage sites of outstanding universal value for future generations,” said Lauren Abadie, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Panasonic Europe Ltd.

At the press conference reporting the partnership activity on the same day, Panasonic introduced communication activities including Panasonic’s sole sponsorship of “The World Heritage Special” aired on the National Geographic Channel in 183 countries and areas, and various communication activities featuring Ms. Sarah Brightman and her song "Shall Be Done." Also, at the UNESCO headquarters, a super-wide 3D visual landscape created with five large screen plasma displays called "DIVE into World Heritage 3D" was shown to the participants and visitors—a magnificent world of majestic images of World Heritage sites including Grand Canyon and Stonehenge.

About Panasonic

Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products for a wide range of consumer, business, and industrial needs. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded consolidated net sales of 8.69 trillion yen (US$105 billion) for the year ended March 31, 2011. The company's shares are listed on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and New York (NYSE:PC) stock exchanges. For more information on the company and the Panasonic brand, visit the company's website at http://panasonic.net/.

With the concept slogan “When kids shine, so will our future,” Panasonic is committed to supporting the development, dreams and futures of the next generation by providing the opportunity for children to learn and discover through Internet as well as events held all over the world.

Panasonic also conducts a variety of educational programs worldwide including the Eco Picture Diary Contest, the Jump Rope Competition, the Global Eco Learning Program and World Heritage Eco Learning Program under the umbrella scheme of “Panasonic Kids School.” In the hopes of promoting the sound development of children and mutual understanding among people around the world, Panasonic will continue in its work to promote and expand these activities in the future.

Please refer to the following site for details concerning the Panasonic kids school and the eco-picture diary.
http://panasonic.net/citizenship/education/

Panasonic conducts the unique program called the World Heritage Eco Learning Program, where students can visit and participate in an interactive environment for learning about World Heritage conservation activities in cooperation with UNESCO and the World Heritage sites. The children can also experience the beauty and importance of the World Heritage as they carry on and pass to future generations. During the course of the program at the heritage site, there will also be a 3D video and photo shooting session, and the viewing of the World Heritage in full HD 3D, shot by Panasonic HD 3D camera recorder. Also the students write down and draw what they have learned from the visits in their World Heritage Eco Picture Diary as a step to put their environmental awareness into practice in daily life. Approximately 4,000 children are expected to engage in this program by the end of fiscal 2012.

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