Previous winners

From March to August 2008, thousands of connect2earth members uploaded videos, images, and words and participated in the 2008 World Conservation Congress competition. In September, a special Jury voted and elected four winners who were presented with a once in a lifetime opportunity. Every month, the highest rated submissions were also awarded a Nokia Xpress phone and the recognition of the community. Take a look at the monthly winning entries.

Our grand prize winner took part in the opening ceremony of the World Conservation Congress in Barcelona on 6 October, on stage, alongside some of the world's leading decision-makers in sustainable development. The 3 category winners also saw their submissions featured during the ceremony and each has received a fantastic N95 phone courtesy of our friends at Nokia. Here is a video of the ceremony.

But most importantly, through connect2earth, it's all of your voices that were heard during the congress. Your amazing photos, videos and stories prove that young people around the world are passionate about preserving our beautiful planet. Throughout the event we also had a stand in the exhibition hall and we presented all that you've uploaded. So thank you again for your fantastic work.

Grand prize winner

Sofia Mateus - Switzerland
Entry: "Why" video depicting overpopulation

Best picture

Chiel Maas - The Netherlands
Entry: "Can man and animal live aside?" picture depicting the threat of human expansion into animal territories...

Best text

Prajwal Bhattarai - Nepal
Entry: "I don't need wheels; Just don't break nature's feet": Short poem about the consequences of our changing lifestyle on the environment

Best video

Dean Omori - UK
Entry: "How can we sleep": Video of his own song highlighting the need to preserve the planet for our children.

The IUCN World Conservation Congress, is the world's largest and most important environmental event covering a broad range of issues. Held every 4 years it brings together thousands (more than 8,000 this year) of leaders from governments, NGOs, the United Nations, business, scientific associations and community organizations. These decision-makers debated the best ways to tackle environmental and development challenges. They shared pragmatic solutions to pressing problems. They committed to a wide range of solutions and partnerships. And the governments and NGOs voted on issues and action-plans.

3 issues were in the spotlight in Barcelona:

- How we deal with climate change
- How healthy environments contribute to healthy communities and economies
- How we safeguard the unique diversity of life in all its forms

The World Conservation Congress produced a range of concrete solutions for the world to become truly sustainable in the next two decades.

Find out more about what happened at the congress.

...and start changing the world