The Brazilian Ministry of External Relations announces a drawing competition for Brazilian children aged 6-11 who are living abroad. The theme, 'My Brazil', aims to encourage young Brazilians to maintain their identity and their cultural connection with their nationality.

The children who produce the best ten entries will receive the 'Itamaraty Children's Drawing Award for Young Brazilians Abroad' along with a selection kit of children's books about Brazil.

Each participant can submit a single drawing that reflects any aspect of Brazil he/she remembers or imagines. The drawings must be on A3 paper but can be done using any material or technique.

Entries must never previously have been published. Family members of the judging panel or of Ministry of External Relations staff are excluded from taking part.

All entrants must register by email and all drawings must be submitted to the Brazilian Consulate General in London by 15 January 2010. Click here for registration details and a full list of the competition rules.

A panel of judges will select the ten winners on 15 March 2010. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Brasília and the awards presented at Brazil's diplomatic missions in the winners' countries of residence.

Source: Ministry of External Relations and Embassy of Brazil in London