Future Forest, UNCCD and Korea Foundation launch the G20 editorial cartoon exhibition “Save the Earth”

Seoul, Korea, 7 November 2010 – In concurrence with the G20 Seoul Summit, the international editorial cartoon exhibition “SAVE THE EARTH” will be held in Seoul from 7-14 November. A preview will take place at Artium, in COEX, on 7 November at 5 pm. The official launch, composed by a press conference and a luncheon, will be held in the Sejong Center on the 9th at 12 am. The exhibition will run from the 9th to the 14th of November in both venues. The aim of this initiative is to deliver messages from global citizens that urge world leaders not only to deal with the global financial crisis but also to contribute more to policy making and actions for saving the earth.

“Save the Earth” will display some 100 works donated by world-class cartoonists and young artists from 28 different countries all over the world, becoming the first international environmental cartoon exhibition held in Korea. The exhibition is co-hosted by Future Forest, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and Korea Foundation and supported by companies that have taken part in Future Forests project to combat desertification such us Korea Forest Service, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Gyonggi Province, Gyoengsangnam Province, Seoul Metropolitan Government, SK, Korean Air, Samsung Electronics, the Federation of Korean Industries, KBS and Yonhap News Agency.

Background information

About the hosts:

Future Forest is a Non-governmental Organization that acts to create a greener future by raising awareness to desertification and sustainable land management. One of its most famous initiatives is the development of a 16 km-long windbreak forest named “Great Green Wall” by planting more than 4 million trees in the Kubuqi desert of Inner Mongolia, China which is one of the main sources of yellow dust blown to Korea.

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), established in 1994, is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment, development and the promotion of healthy soil. The Convention’s 194 signatory Parties, including all G20 members, work to alleviate poverty in the drylands, maintain and restore the land’s productivity and mitigate the effects of drought. Korea joined the Convention as the 156th party in 1999. The 10th UNCCD COP will take place from 10-21 October 2011 in the Korean city of Changwon.

Korea Foundation mission is to promote a better understanding of Korea in the international community and to foster global friendship by conducting exchange activities between the Republic of Korea and foreign countries around the world.

Venue and dates:

Artium, COEX (159 Samseong 1-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul CEOX Mall)

Preview: Artium, COEX 7 November, 5 pm

Exhibition: From 7-14 November 2010
Sejong Center (Seoul-si Jongno-gu Sejong-ro 81-3)
Press conference: Foreign News Reporter’s Club, 18th floor, Press Center. 9 November, 12 am.
Opening ceremony: Outdoor Exhibition Space. 9 November, 2 pm
Exhibition: Outdoor Exhibition Space. From 9-14 November 2010