Officials, event sponsors, and competition winners gather for a group photo at Houng Heuang School on August 14.

Young people honoured in environmental awareness competition

An awards presentation ceremony was held at Houng Heuang School in Vientiane on August 14 to honour the winners of youth competitions organised in celebration of World Environment Day and National Environment Day 2026.
Organised under the slogan #NowForClimate, or “It’s time to pay attention to a bright and fresh climate”, the initiative was spearheaded by Phanthamit Analytical Lab Co., Ltd. (PAL) in cooperation with the Department of Environment under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
Speaking during an interview following the event, the Deputy Director General of the Department of Environment, Ms Chithanom Ounsida, said the competitions followed on from World and National Environment Day observances on June 5.

Ms Chithanom Ounsida delivers an address at the awards ceremony.

The competitions comprised drawing contests, online quizzes, and short video creation, attracting strong engagement from primary school pupils through to university students.
This demonstrates that climate change and environmental protection are topics of genuine concern to the public, while giving young people a meaningful platform to showcase their talent, knowledge, and creativity, Ms Chithanom said.
This is the seventh consecutive year since 2019 that PAL has led environmental awareness campaigns aimed at young people. Addressing the awards ceremony, the Director of PAL said a total of 288 participants registered across three core categories.
They included 133 primary school pupils in the drawing contest, who expressed their love for nature through art; 141 secondary school contestants in the online quiz who showcased their understanding of climate issues; and 14 university students competing in the short video contest who presented innovative ideas and practical environmental solutions.
The Director of PAL observed that great changes have their beginnings in the small hands of youth, adding that although World Environment Day on June 5 has passed, the drive to safeguard the planet remains a daily mission.
He expressed deep gratitude to Ms Chithanom, the Department of Environment, Houng Heuang School, and supporting partners, pledging that PAL would continue its strong commitment to building environmental consciousness among future generations.

By Advertorial Desk
 (Latest Update August 17, 2026)