Smurfit Kappa Ireland and the Irish Youth Foundation (IYF) have teamed up to help Ireland’s kids take part in the Global Cardboard Challenge, a platform for vulnerable children to express creativity and use their imaginations.
The theme for this year’s Global Cardboard Challenge is “Sustainable houses”, and those taking part will create a piece of art with cardboard that expresses their thoughts on what sustainable housing means.
Children from the Irish Youth Foundation Homework Clubs will take part in the challenge through a series of workshops held around the country in October and November, guided by local artists.
The Development Director of the IYF Niall McLoughlin said “The Global Cardboard Challenge offers a wonderful opportunity for children from disadvantaged areas to have a range of experiences which are not usually available to them - access to an artist in a local cultural centre and being given the space, time and encouragement to express their imagination and creativity in a safe and secure environment. “
“The link between creative thinking and the development of problem solving skills in children is well established and we believe that this initiative could help to enhance these crucial skills for this group of children.”
Smurfit Kappa Ireland will be funding the challenge, providing materials as well as finance and offering both creative and technical assistance.
John O' Loughlin of Smurfit Kappa Ireland said, “The success of this movement is down to its simplicity.”
“It demonstrates how amazing children’s imaginations can be - to be able to take a basic raw material such as cardboard and transform it into something beautiful, which can tell a story. We are delighted to work with the Irish Youth Foundation on this very worthwhile campaign”
