ICAF's 1997-2000 Program
The objective of ICAF�s first program was to involve the world�s children in the celebration of the new millennium. The theme of the millennium program was, My World in the Year 2000. The program was launched in December 1997, by mailing invitations to 20,000 schools worldwide, sending program information to education ministries in every country, publicizing the program in ICAF�s ChildArt magazine, announcing it in art education journals and international magazines, and outlining participation details on the ICAF website Starting in classrooms across the United States, the program gradually spread to schools around the world.
More than one million children in 86 countries participated in the global art creation program. The program was implemented in 67 countries by ICAF partner organizations, comprised of offices and foundations of the First Ladies in 19 countries; Ministries of Culture, Education or Information in 20 countries; children and arts organizations in 14 countries; national museums in 5 countries; and UNESCO offices, U.S. Embassies and academic institutions in 3 countries each.

Generally, schools and after-school programs selected one representative artwork and sent it to ICAF or ICAF�s partner organization in their country. Independent panels comprised of art educators and prominent artists then selected the national artwork entry. In 19 participating countries ICAF had not designated a suitable organization as a partner. The Washington, DC based embassies of these countries helped select their country's finalist artwork from submissions sent directly to ICAF by schools and children.

Children's "Voices"
The children have expressed various themes in their paintings and drawings. Some works of art depict joy and celebration, whereas other works reveal a child�s fears and concerns for the future. Some show the world as it is (Botswana, Nepal, New Zealand, and Samoa); some show a clean, modern landscape (Lesotho, Sri Lanka, Togo) or a high-tech future (Korea, Qatar, Singapore, Togo, and Zambia). Environment is a deep concern (Croatia) and so is individual betterment (Sweden). Children feel the poverty and the need for development (Liberia) as well as for education (United States, Papua New Guinea). The artworks reflect the impact of war and violence (Tajikistan, Palestine); and the blossoming of peace (Hungary, Lebanon, Poland). The new millennium is also a time for philosophical reflections (Germany, Kyrgyz Republic), for grand hopes (Egypt, Nigeria), romance and love (Brazil), togetherness (Philippines) and playfulness (Mongolia).

"I hope that technological developments do not destroy or alter nature, with all its beauty and splendor... I want to show different kinds of people, of different races and characteristics, living and working together. ... I try to show an optimistic point of view, a world in which discrimination and destruction do not exist.�
- Alejandro Goldzycher (9, boy) Argentina.

"I see my country as flourishing. ... I want to know more about the world. I would like to travel to different countries. I want to make friends with all the children of the world.�
- Tamara Talat Mamedova (11, girl) Azerbaijan.

"My idea was to create an image that showed the end of violence between people and between nations - the end of all forms of violence. ... To show the transformation of the World in the year 2000 into a place full of love and peace, there is nothing better than the shape of a heart.� - Anna Carolina dos Santos Israel (12, girl) Brazil.

"I would like to see the year 2000 as the start of a world free of wars and pollution, ... where everyone will share and care for each other.� - Viviana Astudillo (9, girl) Canada.

"Because of pollution the buildings are bending down.� - Masa Budimir (12, girl) Croatia.

"I drew a map of the world to show that we are all connected and need each other. ... The endangered animals I painted symbolize my hope that they will still be there in the next millennium.�
- Sophie Johnson (9, girl) England.

"In my world in the year 2000 ... children will have fun and frolic in numerous parks, while engaging in meaningful play and physical development ... instead of disruptive behavior.�
- Bradlee Bernard (10, boy) Grenada.

"I am showing the differences between the present (pollution, dirt and violence) and the changes that I wish for the future.� - Gaby Savelski (11, girl) Israel.

"As a girl and a female, I will become a woman and carry a child, giving him care and love. The bird represents peace, the pregnant mother represents the present, and the baby is the future peace. The flowers represent protection of the environment (past/present/future).� - Lotfieh Mohamed El Masri (11, girl) Lebanon.

"My Africa is crying!� - Permanent Sam Wilmot (11, boy) Liberia.

"Just as the earth is a friend of the neighboring planets, I would like those of us who live on earth to be friends and take care of the earth so it lasts another 2000 years.� - Roberto Fernandez Madero (8, boy) Mexico.

"I want the world to live a peaceful, simple and basic lifestyle. My vision of the future shows the world will be a beautiful and comfortable place to live.� - Fitafita Brown (8, girl) Samoa

"I would like that the world be a place to live easily and friendly, without trouble to others.�
- Chathura Sooriya Arachchi (11, girl) Sri Lanka

"I want to see different cultures joining together to make peace throughout the world, I want to see kids reaching their goals and dreams in life, I want to see technology help us and not hurt our planet, and most of all I want to see kids getting the education they need and an equal chance in life.� - Shellie Lee Korth (12, girl) United States

Local & National Festivals
ICAF organized the first-ever nationwide children�s art festival in the United States. The ChildArt USA Festival was held in Washington, DC on September 4-8, 1998. Child artists from across the United States, accompanied by their parents and teachers, came to Washington to participate in the festival. On September 4, 1998, the children collaboratively created the America 2000 Mural on the National Mall, near the U.S. Capitol. The 16 x 24- foot mural, outlined by the map of the United States, reflects the dreams, aspirations and concerns of the children for the United States in the year 2000 and beyond.

"I really enjoyed working on the U.S. Mural. It was one of the best experiences of my life!"- Jenna Skophammer (11, girl), Iowa

National children's festivals, based on the ICAF model, were organized by ICAF�s partner organizations in the following eleven countries: Costa Rica, Ecuador, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Liberia, Lithuania, Mexico, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. More...