CFC Pakistan & EBM Compassionate Arts Competition 2014 Report
Charter for Compassion (CfC) Pakistan in collaboration with English Biscuit Manufacturers (Private) Limited (EBM) organized the first ever Compassionate Arts Competition for the Compassionate School Network (CSN) on January 30th 2014 at the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Park. Present at the event were CfC’s team lead by President, Amin Hashwani and EBM’s Chairperson, Dr. Zeelaf Munir along with her team.
Hundreds of students from CfC’s Compassionate School Network participated in the competition. Students stimulated their minds, making connections between compassion and humans - bringing forward their best ideas and illustrated the ones closest to their hearts. The main aim of the event was to encourage and flourish compassionate thinking.
The schools started arriving at the venue just after 8AM, where they were welcomed by the CfC team. This was followed by quick seating of both the students and teachers in separate enclosures. The students were divided into three groups Grades one-three, Grades four-six and Grades seven-ten. Topics ranged from ‘Random acts of Kindness’, ‘Courage’ and ‘Compassionate City 2.0’.The students were allotted one-and-a-half-hours to complete their artwork while devoted volunteers roamed the area to monitor them. Spread out in the grassy field, most of the students were immersed in their work, using all their materials to fill in their posters.
Zohair Alibouy, from CfC took the role of master of ceremony and made sure he kept the teachers engaged while the students were at work. Teachers were asked various questions about their experience as being a part of the Compassionate School Network. Most replied that the students had learnt to be more compassionate towards not only other human beings, but also towards animals. “The other meaning of education is compassion,” said one teacher.
After the completion of the competition a panel of renowned artists came in to evaluate the pieces - judges included Nafisa Rizvi, Nuraya Nabi Sheikh, Rubeya Jalil, Arshad Faruqi, Scheherezade junejo and Samar Husain. The judging took time as all art work was exceptionally detailed.
All participating schools received a letter of appreciation. A special recognition was awarded to the Navy Special School. Three winners were announced from each category – Ashra Adeel from Dawood Public School in the grades one to three category, M. Hassam Bhaugat from Jaffar Public School in the grades four to six category and Mohib Zafar from Beaconhouse Jubilee Campus in the grades seven to ten category.
The activity was concluded by both heads of CfC Pakistan and EBM thanking one another for the positive initiative. The success of the event remains witness that it has been an exemplary collaboration between CfC and EBM. The enthusiasm and efforts of all the teachers, students and volunteers was commendable it brought together everyone in a spirit of friendship and altruism. It was evident that the people of Pakistan want a society which is compassionate and one which will eventually promote a peaceful nation.
Read more about the Charter for Compassion Pakistan's Art Competition on their own website: https://cfcpak.wordpress.com/tag/compassionate-art-competition/">https://cfcpak.wordpress.com/tag/compassionate-art-competition/
