Queen Silvia of Sweden has launched an annual voter education project for primary school learners in order to

• improve their literacy skills.
• help them to communicate with children in the global village.
• teach them about democracy.
• develop their voting skills.

Children will be able to take part by

• learning and reading about other children across the world.
• deciding on a winner.
• engaging in a voter educational process involving a ballot or using a specified website.

Competition entries must be submitted by no later than 28 March 2003.

A child jury consisting of children from all over the world will make the final decision about the prize. A South African child will be nominated to serve on the panel which will select the winner in Sweden in 2003.

The curriculum outcomes of the Learning Areas Social Sciences and Life Orientation make these learning areas appropriate for learners to explore and develop an understanding of voter education and democracy, particularly in the Intermediate Phase.

Schools are invited to participate in this learning experience and by doing so encourage their learners to become responsible citizens in local, national and global communities.

To register and receive further information, principals can contact Marlene Winberg, the South African co-ordinator - World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child - at

         Tel.:       021 781 0415
         Fax:        021 781 0416
         Cell:       083 392 5153
         e-mail:     childrensworld@childrensworld.org
         Website:    http://www.childrensworld.org

SIGNED: D.R. SHEPHERD
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2003:01:29