Nepal – Tales of Migration

The year 2021 marks the 70th anniversary of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) as well as its 15th anniversary of Nepal becoming a member state of IOM. To mark the occasion, IOM Nepal, jointly with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, will organise a Migration Art Contest among the children and youths residing in Nepal aged between 12 and 19 and/or are students of grades 8 to 12. 

The competition, where the children and youths are invited to reflect their interpretation of migration, will aim to raise discussions around migration about both negative and positive impacts of migration. The contest also aims to raise awareness and advocate for safer and dignified migration as envisioned by the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) and Sustainable Development Goals. 

The theme for the competition is ‘Nepal - Tales of Migration’. Children and youths residing in Nepal, including foreign migrants and refugees, between the age of 12 and 19 and/or students of 8 to 12 grades can participate in the art contest. Meanwhile, all art works must depict the theme of migration. 

As per IOM, the artwork should be a drawing or painting only. The artwork needs to be submitted by email in high-resolution quality format of JPEG or PNG and it can be in vertical or horizontal format. All entrants must submit their work with the completed official entry form by email to iomnepal@iom.int or they can post it at IOM Nepal’s official address. The deadline to submit the artwork is Sunday, March 7, 2021 at 11:59 pm Nepal standard time. There is no entry fee for the contest. 

Participants must make sure that artworks that have been previously published in magazines, newspapers, websites or other information materials will not be accepted. Also works that are not accompanied by the entry form will not be considered by the panel of judges. 

The winning piece will be selected by a panel of judges who will review all art works submitted for the competition. The panel will comprise of representatives of IOM Nepal and Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, and also professional Nepali artists. 

The best 20 artworks will be included in the ‘Nepal - Tales of Migration’ art exhibition’ that has been scheduled for December 2021 as part of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of IOM. Top 20 selected participants will be awarded with certificate of appreciation. 

The winning artwork will be proposed to reflect on the 70th anniversary commemorative Nepal postal stamp to be launched on December 5, 2021. The results of the contest will be announced through official website and social media channels of IOM Nepal and the winner will be also contacted by email. 

Meanwhile, the IOM as a co-organiser of the contest reserves all copyrights to archive and use the arts submitted for the IOM’s communication and advocacy activities through IOM publications, website, social media and any other medium. Therefore, all entrants are deemed to have agreed to the exhibition and other use of their art works by entering the contest. However, no payment will be generated in any kind.