After two years of active social contribution, “SYMMETOCHI” announced its collaboration with the University of Cyprus for the implementation of the Pancyprian Primary Education School Competition “Children, Citizens of the Future.” Charalambides Christis supported the initiative by providing funding of 100,000€ for the implementation of the project. Responding to the needs of children and in line with the SYMMETOCHI programme’s commitment to social contribution, the project, which is implemented within the framework of the Health Education Curriculum Programme, aims to create functional installations of artistic interest within school grounds. These spaces will allow students to present, both individually and collectively, their thoughts, feelings, ideas, experiences, suggestions and activities to the wider school community, encouraging creativity and freedom of expression. The model for the competition proposals was the project created at Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios Primary School, an artistic installation designed to encourage spontaneous and creative expression through activities proposed by the school’s pupils. The project, which is now approaching completion, has so far been implemented with great success through four phases:
| The announcement of the competition in all schools throughout Cyprus |
| The evaluation and selection of the proposals by a special committee |
| The development of the proposals by students of Architecture |
| The implementation of the projects |
At the awards ceremony, where prizes, commendations and honorary participation certificates were presented, held at the University of Cyprus on Thursday, 26 November 2015, the results of the competition were announced. Through this initiative, pupils from 50 schools were invited to submit comprehensive proposals and models for the creation of the installations within their schools. The five-member Evaluation Committee, established to assess the proposals, unanimously decided to award three prizes to three schools:
| St. Andreas Primary School (Departments A and B) |
| The Regional Primary School of Tamassos |
| Chryseleousa Primary School |
The further development and implementation of the three projects were then undertaken by Architecture students from the University of Cyprus, with the practical support of the “SYMMETOCHI” social solidarity programme. In April 2016, pupils from the three schools took part in a special workshop together with the architecture students and Sakis Rouvas, where they shared their inspirations and ideas so that the final design and construction of the projects would reflect their vision for their school environments.
