“Family means a home with no one missing”

To mark the International Day of Families, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is pleased to announce the results of its 28th Annual National Student Contest in Greece, held under the theme “Family Means Together.” This year’s theme was closely linked to UNHCR’s “Hope Away from Home” campaign, which highlights the importance of family unity for refugees around the world.

A record number of more than 3,700 students from schools across Greece participated in the contest. Through their creative submissions, students explored the meaning of family and reflected on the profound impact of separation – particularly for refugee children forced to flee. Working individually or in groups, students submitted 1,151 sketches, posters, and postcards addressed to separated refugee families and decision-makers. Their messages called for a world in which every family can remain together or be reunited, urging those in power to take meaningful action to turn this vision into reality.

“This year, we invited students to use colours, words and imagination to advocate for the universal right to family unity. Their response was overwhelming”, said Maria Clara Martin, UNHCR Representative in Greece. “With almost 123 million people around the world displaced due to escalating conflicts, violence and human rights violations, and many among them torn from their loved ones, these student creations send a powerful message of solidarity and hope”.

One student wrote to decision-makers: “Separated family members are not statistics. They are lives. And your decisions can determine whether these lives will be filled with hope or despair”, a strong reminder that no effort should be spared to bring families together. 

Walking from darkness to light ©UNHCR/4th Primary School of Tripoli

A special committee evaluated all entries based on their originality, creativity and depth of message, awarding three entries per educational level. The evaluation committee consisted of representatives from Athens Comics Library, the Greek Council for Refugees, the Hellenic Theatre/Drama and Education Network, the Network for Children’s Rights, UNRIC – the UN Regional Information Centre (Office for Greece), and UNHCR. The committee also included Popi Kyrdi, teacher and head of Cultural Programmes at the Primary Education Directorate of A’ Athens, Naemi Solomon, a young refugee whose family was reunited in Greece after years of separation, and Giorgos Benos, actor and UNHCR supporter.

Winning students will receive commemorative gifts from UNHCR, including backpacks, canvas bags and T-shirts from the exclusive “Hope Away From Home” collection. All participants will receive a digital certificate of participation in recognition of their creativity and participation.

UNHCR warmly congratulates all the winners and sincerely thanks every student, teacher, and school that took part in this year’s contest, as well as the members of the evaluation committee for their valuable support.  

The winning entries

Kindergarten:

• 4^th Kindergarten of Nea Ionia, Volos – Poster: Agakos Athanasios, Vrachiolia Chrysovalanto Maria, Diakomi Vasiliki, Zarifis Panagiotis, Zafeiriou Zoi, Ioannou Maria, Martinakis Georgios, Baltsiakis Angelos, Nitsas Fanourios, Dalampira Anastasia, Doika Ragian, Ramioti Dafni, Samaras Marios, Tsilotai Enriko, Cheimonidi Sofia, Cheimonidis Vasilis – Sotirios
• 9^th Kindergarten of Kalamaria, Thessaloniki – Poster: Georgakakis Dimitris, Bantras Fotis, Zafeiriou Efthymia, Ayanoglou Kynthia, Petsikopoulou Eirini, Nedas Sotiris, Chrysafis Angelos-Evangelos, Sifakis Dimitris, Iviriotis Paschalis, Patsalidi Elizianna, Karagianni Evangelia, Bakali Ioanna, Venetsanaki Sofia, Trakas Konstantinos, Karamanolis Alexandros, Christoforakis Angelos, Tsalidi Zoi, Soukats Leonid, Kafasis Efthymis, Kalamara Dialechti
• 2^nd Kindergarten of Lagadas, Thessaloniki – Poster: Davitidis Dimitris, Karypidis Ioannis, Berberidis Anestis, Tsantalis Ioannis, Kanellopoulou Stamatia, Tzouni Athina, Stergiannakou Feggoula, Bleniou Soultana, Eleftheriadou Sofia, Billi Alexandra, Gousi Kalliopi, Michail Kyriaki, Dangkli Danai, Graikou Maria, Mylonidou Maria-Glykeria, Aivazoglou Mariamni, Karanikolas Nikolas, Trikalinos Marios, Mylonidis Athanasios, Koukos Christos, Moschovakis Chrysostomos, Ormyliotis Panagiotis, Dimitriadis Konstantinos, Netsikas Michail, Dani Nion, Metekidis Panagiotis

Primary School:

• Primary School of Agathonisi island – Postcard: Eleanna Stergiou, Chrysovalantis Evangelos Kottoros
• Centre for Creative Activity for Children “Omonoia” of Trikala Municipality – Poster: Aliki Maggou, Errika Barbati, Alkmene Papadimitriou, Fotis Mouhakis, Sofia Mouhaki, Katerina Mina, Angelina Kotsiou, Aliki Balomenou, Evangelia Mertsioti, Revekka Tzeli, Marietta Nasiou, Karapetsa Dimitra, Maria Karafantalou, Emmanouela Moize, Konstantina Siounta
• 4^th Primary School of Tripoli - Poster: Koulis Dimitrios, Koutsioukou Myrto, Lahanis Panagiotis Tryfonas, Lahanis Charilaos, Leggas Antonios, Magklari Vasiliki, Manolopoulos Rafail, Nikopoulos Panagiotis, Papageorgiou Aggeliki, Papagiannopoulos Anastasios, Papakosta Sofia, Sountas Vasileios, Stamatopoulou Vasiliki, Syreggela- Athanasiadi Danai, Syreggela – Athanasiadi Ioanna, Traka Ioanna, Hotzai Nerilda, Chronopoulou Paraskevi, Galazoula Apostolia, Kostogianni Georgia

Junior High School

• Model Junior High School of Patras – Postcard: Vasilis Papastathopoulos
• 2^nd Junior High School of Krya Vrysi, Pella – Sketch: Bozini Torlaki Despoina
• 5^th Model Junior High School of Chalkida - Sketch: Triada Anita Levidioti Doltseskou

High School

• 3^rd High School of Lamia - Postcard: Michalis Papadogiannis
• General High School of Agiasos, Lesvos - Sketch: Panagiotis Gramelis
• 1^st Vocational High School of Drama - Sketch: Kelempeki Aikaterini

All awarded entries and the analytical results of the Contest are hosted here