A memo from the Department of State for Basic and Secondary Education (DOSBSE) sent to all Lower Basic School Head teachers across the country and dated 4thAugust 2008 informed them about the 18thInternational Children painting competition launched by the United Nations Environment program UNEP and the Japan based foundation for peace and FGPE, Bayer and Niskon corporation.

According to the memo, the purpose of the competition is to allow children from all over the world to express their knowledge and point of view of Egypt through their paintings. The memo stated that this years competition will focus on Climate Change, Our Challenge and it added that the competition is meant for Lower Basic Schools and the memo asked the Regional Directors to identify participants in their Regions .The competition is targeting children between the ages of 4 and 8 and according to the memo, the competition will be organised by the Egyptian Ministry of Culture later this year. The memo encouraged all Gambian children to participate in the competition and it stated that painting should be submitted to the Egyptian Embassy based in Dakar on or before 30thNovember 2008.