poetry contest Before Refugees and Human Rights


STUDENT POETRY CONTEST


This past May, UNHCR and the CCUNESCO held a poetry contest for Canadian students from grades 4 to 12. Pupils from across the country submitted their poems, looking beyond their personal experiences, imaginatively assuming the voices of those whose lives have been torn apart by war, hunger and displacement. Their work celebrates human rights, cultural diversity and the importance of welcoming newcomers. UNHCR and the CCUNESCO are happy to announce the winners of the “Refugees and Human Rights Poetry Contest, 2015 edition”, selected from the many wonderful submissions in both French and English. Among them is Jackson Hunter, a grade 8 student from Ottawa, ON who captured the hardships of fleeing home and leaving memories behind in his poem, “Before.”


I can remember when she told me that she once loved to paint the tales of our lives with only the brightest colours, but I suppose that was before our world became grey


I can remember when he whispered to me that he used to plan what our lives could become after we finally returned home


I can remember when I used to write poetry back when my words would craft tales of bliss and drift off the pages like smoke but I guess that was


Before I left


– Jackson Hunter, Gr. 8. J.H 10 / UNHCR


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