An independent
think-tank on Canada's relations with Asia

Poster Contest 2006

Asia Pacific Gateway Poster Contest 2006

In January 2006, the Asia Pacific Foundation invited high school students, grades 8 to 12, across British Columbia to participate in an inaugural Poster Contest on Canada’s Pacific Gateway Strategy.

Engaging the imagination of youth is one way to contribute to a better understanding and awareness of the Gateway initiative among the wider community. The future of Canada’s relationship with Asia depends on successive generations of bridge-builders who are willing to cross the Pacific divide and embrace cross-cultural exchanges.

APF Canada staff as well as our external judges (Michael Henderson, Regional Director of Transport Canada and Hank Bull, Executive Director of Centre A) were extremely impressed by the artistic ability and creative ideas in the works submitted for the Poster Contest, as well as the overall strong response. St. Thomas Aquinas High School in North Vancouver won the “Top School Award” for submitting 67 entries in total. Out of a pool of more than 350 entries, the following posters were judged to have best captured, in vivid imagery, the essence of a trans-Pacific gateway and all its inter-related connections.

First Place

Jessica Pang
Grade 11, Age 17
Cambie Secondary,

Richmond

Artist Statement:
“My poster displays the connection between Asia and B.C., Canada through a bridge. The balloons are a form of celebrating this joyous occasion.”

Quote from
Hank Bull:
“This one understands the bigger picture of the Gateway that goes beyond trade; it’s about people living together.”

Second Place

Heera Kim
Grade 10, Age 15
Sullivan Heights Secondary,
Surrey

Artist Statement:
“A festive rendering of east-west relations. As a student of Korean decent, I have bi-cultural status. As such, my design metaphor for a gateway is a ‘jacket’ that has BC in the foreground and Asia in the upper area. Sort of BC on the outside and Asia on the inside. The open zipper represents business links symbolized by a coin. The open zipper pattern also expresses continents coming together and cultures coming together.”

Quote from
Hank Bull:
“This image is a joyful celebration which recognizes the important role of the aboriginal in Asia Pacific relations.”

Third Place

Wendan Li
Grade 10, Age 16

Walnut Grove Secondary, Langley

Artist Statement:
“An exchange of culture, a connection of heart. We are no longer an ocean apart.”

Quote from
Hank Bull:
“This is a transpacific love story, and it’s very happy.”

Honourable Mention

Pavandeep Gill
Grade 10, Age 15
Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School, Vancouver

Artist Statement:
“My poster illustrates how British Columbia will not only be Canada’s gateway to Asia, but will eventually be North America’s. My poster shows how traditions, ideas, cultures, etc.