What is the competition all about?
We Are What We Do, working in partnership with the Department for Children, Schools and Families, is asking all under 18 year olds in the UK to come up with new simple, everyday actions that have a positive effect on the world around them. We Are What We Do is a global movement that believes that small actions x lots of people = big change. We came up with 100 actions for our first two books and now we want to hear what the next generation think.
Who can enter the competition?
Anyone that lives in the UK and is under 18 years of age on 2nd January 2008.
How long is the competition open for?
From 15th October to 2nd January 2008.
What should my action be about?
We’re looking for small, simple things that that anyone can do and that have a positive impact on the world around you. If these actions are done by lots of people, they could have a massive impact and bring about BIG change.
What should the pictures be of?
The pictures should bring the world changing potential of the action to life. Here are the three main ways that we think this could be done:
- A photo of people doing the action
- A photo of the thing that the action will change or what it will achieve
- A piece of art that shows the action - small or massive and made of anything you like
What help can I get with coming up with my action?
There are heaps of things that we can do for you:
- Watch the short film that will tell you more about We Are What We Do and the competition
- Check out the Need Ideas? section for loads of advice
- Take a look at the actions that have been submitted, either on the map on the homepage or in the See All the Actions section
- Give us a call or e-mail us for any extra help or advice you're after
What is all the voting and commenting about?
We want to know what you think of the actions that get submitted to the competition so that we can use it as part of the judging process. It also gives people over 18 a chance to get involved with the competition, through voting on the actions.
All of the comments will be checked before they go live, so no-one will be able to post rude or offensive comments.
How will the winning entries be chosen?
There will be 2 stages to this.
First, after 2nd January 2008, ten finalists from each UK region will be chosen by We Are What We Do. These regional finalists will be announced in January 2008.
Second, these regional finalists will be whittled down, by a judging panel made up of the We Are What We Do team and a selection of high profile judges, to a selection of national finalists. One entry will be crowned the overall winner. These national winners will be announced in January/February 2008.
We Are What We Do and the judging panel will use the following criteria:
a) The votes given to the action by users on the website
b) The positive impact of the action
c) The simplicity of the action
d) Everybody can do it
e) The originality of the action
f) The creativity of the picture
What happens to the winning entries?
When an entry is picked out by We Are What We Do as a regional finalist, we'll be in touch with the participant via e-mail or phone. If they're under 16 and have registered with permission of a named adult, we'll contact them too.
If their action is selected as one of the national winners, the entry will become part of the next edition in the Change the World series. The actions will be designed into spreads, printed and one copy will be made available free to each school (currently only in England) in 2008. Check out more detailed conditions concerning this here: competition rules.
One national winner will be selected for a national We Are What We Do campaign, which will aim to get as many as one million people taking part in the action.
What can over 18s do?
If your children or the ones you work with or know are under 18 and live in the UK, they can take part and you can help them. If they're under 16, they need permission from a parent or guardian to register. You can also help them come up with their entries, as long as the idea and the picture are produced by them. You can get ideas here, materials here, use our original 100 actions and our books for inspiration or contact us at competition@wearewhatwedo.org or on 0207 922 7893
What have you got for teachers or people that work with under 18 year olds?
We've got a dedicated section for you lot, that's what. Check it out here...
What is in place to protect under 16 year olds?
We've got the following protection measures in place for children under 16:
- Participants under 16 will be required to get permission from an adult to register online
- All entries and comments will be moderated before going live and potentially offensive content will not be published
- No personal details of any participants are made public online during the competition phase and only with express permission of participant (or parent/guardian if under 16) after the competition, when entries are being showcased
What happens if I live outside of the UK?
Anyone, anywhere can change the world with simple everyday actions and if you have an idea for one, we want to know about it. If you live outside the UK you can suggest an action through our main website. Unfortunately, your entry can't be included in the competition, but it will add to our collection of inspiring ideas and maybe, just maybe, might end up in a book one day. We'll keep you posted...
I have more questions!
Feel free to contact us with anything that we haven't covered at competition@wearewhatwedo.org or on 020 7922 7893