« Draw me the abolition » : What does it involve ?
Every three years, on World Day Against the Death Penalty (10 October), ECPM (Together Against the Death Penalty) and RIEA (International Network for Education on Abolition) launch a new edition of the ‘Draw Me the Abolition’ competition.
With this competition, the RIEA and its partners, supported by ECPM, aim to pique the interest of young people, particularly middle and high school students, in the issue of universal abolition of the death penalty by encouraging them to express their creativity. This project aims to encourage and enhance the civic engagement of tomorrow’s young people by allowing them to develop a thorough knowledge of the subject together with an artistic know-how.
What are the conditions to participate ?
- Participation in the competition is free of charge.
- Participation is open to young people from across the world aged 12 to 25.
- Any technique can be used (drawing, painting, collage, photography, digital art, etc.).
Planning of the competition
- PHASE 1 : 10 October 2025 – 31 March 2025 : Realisation of the works
During this phase, the participants will be able to reflect on the death penalty issue and learn about the making of a graphic poster. To accompany them, ECPM will provide free of charge pedagogical tools adapted to both the subject and the exercise requested.
The registration form must be completed by an adult representative (teacher, educator, association leader, etc.) and returned by email to education@ecpm.org before 28 February 2026. Original physical posters or VERY HIGH DEFINITION scans must be received in Paris before 31 March 2026 - PHASE 2 : 1 May 2026 : Announcement of results
An international jury, composed of committed professional artists and human rights specialists, will select the 50 best posters that will make up the final exhibition. - PHASE 3 : From May 2026 : Exhibition valorisation
The 50 selected posters will be promoted through the publication of an exhibition catalog featuring the course of the project and thanking all the participants and partners. It will be distributed in three languages (Fr-Eng-Ar). In the meantime, large-format prints of the winning works will be exhibited in all participating countries. The exhibition will also be promoted through ECPM and its partners’ web and paper communication tools, as well as on the occasion of major international abolitionist events, starting with the Congresses against the death penalty.
Competition prizes
Three special prizes will be awarded from among the 50 best posters : the Internet users’ prize, the Jury prize and the Youth prize.
All 50 selected posters will be presented in a catalogue and an exhibition in 2026 in Paris for the World Congress Against the Death Penalty, as well aw widely relayed around the world !
Winning poster n°2 by Krystyna K. for the 2022-2023 l’édition 2022-2023 “Draw me the abolition” edition
Winning poster n°3 by Lina Fenja H. for the 2022-2023 “Draw me the abolition” edition
Winning poster n°4 by Emmanuel E.S. for the 2022-2023 “Draw me the abolition” edition
Winning poster n°5 by Foyet Toko for the 2022-2023 “Draw me the abolition” edition
Wiining poster n°6 by Jacques M.B. for the 2022-2023 “Draw me the abolition” edition
Winning poster n°7 by Issa S. for the 2022-2023 “Draw me the abolition” edition
Registration procedures
- Participants must be supervised by an adult mentor (teacher, instructor, organisation manager, etc.) who must register the students/young people they are supervising by returning the registration form (attached) to ECPM by email to education@ecpm.org before 31 December 2026.
- The adult supervisors will have to send the posters made by the young people no later than 31 March, 2026.
To learn more
