As part of its “For Diversity. Against Discrimination” awareness raising campaign, the European Commission is launching the third edition of the “Cartoons for Diversity” competition and exhibition in Malta.

This year the competition has two categories: one for young and established artists and another for art students. Participants are invited to produce cartoons that explore the positive impact of diversity and the negative effects of discrimination in one or more of the following aspects: racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age, sexual orientation and sex. Entries must be original cartoons tackling diversity or be linked to the above-mentioned grounds of discrimination in the workplace or other areas of life.

Entries are to be handed in on weekdays between 8.30am and 4.30pm at BPC International Limited, BPC House, J Gasan Street, Pieta’ by not later than Friday 14 January 2011. Participants can submit between one and a maximum of five artworks each; an experienced selection panel will select the exhibits that will be displayed in a public exhibition in February 2011.

All participants will have the opportunity of winning one of four prizes assigned by the selection panel. In the artists’ category, the most original cartoon will receive €700 while €300 will go to the runner up. The most original cartoon in the students’ category will be awarded €400 with the runner up receiving €200. The winners will be announced during the official opening of the exhibition.

For Diversity. Against Discrimination. is a pan-European information campaign run by the European Commission. In line with EU anti-discrimination laws, which came into force throughout the EU over the past few years, the campaign aims to promote the benefits of diversity and to combat discrimination in employment on the grounds of racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, age, disability and sexual orientation.

Rules and regulations for participation in this competition and exhibition can be obtained from BPC International (Attn: Carmel Bonello via e-mail: [email protected] or on tel: 2124 3212), which is organising this competition and exhibition on behalf of the European Commission.