Dentsu Inc. has again partnered with the International Advertising Association to hold the 4th IAA-Dentsu Global Student Poster Competition.

In recognition of the critical impact of environmental issues, this year’s theme was “Sustainable Development” in support of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development which will be held in Rio de Janeiro in June.

The themes of the first three competitions were Climate Change (2008–2009), Biodiversity (2009–2010) and Sustainability (2010–2011). The brief asked students to creatively communicate how through “Sustainable Development,” nature, life support and communities can be sustained with the ongoing development of people, the economy and society.

127 entries from 15 countries were received, and a World Champion, Worldwide 2nd Place, Worldwide 3rd Place and regional winners were chosen. The 10-member jury included industry executives from India, Japan, the United Kingdom, Peru, Poland, Saudi Arabia and the USA as well as a representative from the United Nations. The awards ceremony will be held later this year at the United Nations in New York.

Regional Winner Asia/Pacific: “Don’t Just Throw Away. Be Creative” – Akiko Kusuda, Sojo University, Kumamoto, Japan

Regional Winner Europe: “Problems with Big Appetite?” – Marina Brbaklic Tepavac, The Faculty of Dramatic Arts, University of Arts, Belgrade, Serbia

Regional Winner Middle East/Africa: “Deforestation” – Maryam Zainal – The American University in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Regional Winner Latin America: “A Stable Condition” – Angelica Lizarazo Villarreal, Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano, Bogota, Colombia

Regional Winner North America: “Food for Thought” – Emily Barker, Syracuse University, Syracuse, USA

Worldwide Champion “Time Never Returns” Catherine Varela Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano Bogota, Colombia

Worldwide 2nd Place “Off Makes On” Takahisa Nagata Kuwasawa Design School Tokyo, Japan

Worldwide 3rd Place “Let’s Walk Together” Catherine Avalos/Alejandra Bukele Escuela de Comunicacion Monica Herrera La Libertad, El Salvador