Friday, May 11, 2007

Singapore launches ASEAN postcard program in Cambodia

Friday May 11, 2007

(Kyodo) - Singapore, upcoming chair and host of the ASEAN summit this year, launched in Cambodia on Friday a "Postcards Across ASEAN" project to raise awareness of the role the group plays in Southeast Asia.

William Chik of the Singapore Embassy in Phnom Penh told Kyodo News some 300 postcards were distributed to students at two primary schools in Phnom Penh on Friday.

"We hope that this launch would help to create greater awareness and appreciation amongst the primary school students in Cambodia of the important role ASEAN plays for the people of Southeast Asia," he said.

"Postcards Across ASEAN," which targets pupils aged 6-12, aims to promote awareness of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and build a sense of community among youth in the region through the "universal language of art."

Each postcard invites a pupil to design something that reveals his or her country's heritage as well as introduces him or herself to others.

The postcards, which are postage prepaid, can be mailed back to Singapore or to Singapore embassies.

Project is expected to reach 100,000 students, with 10,000 postcards being distributed in each of the 10 ASEAN countries.

"Attractive cash prizes stand to be won by the best-designed postcards and the outstanding entries will be exhibited at the Singapore Istana Open House on 5 August 2007, as well as at the 13th ASEAN Summit hosted by Singapore, in November 2007," Chik said.

The first-prize winner will get S$500 (US$329).

The project is part of a series of commemorative activities organized by Singapore to mark the 40th anniversary of ASEAN and Singapore's chairmanship of the group this year.

ASEAN comprises Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, Brunei, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Laos, the Philippines and Myanmar.

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