The drop by drop logo was available in more than 13 languages

The Future We Want: Drop by Drop

Drop by Drop is an initiative of the UN Regional Information Centre (UNRIC), in partnership with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and with the support of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

The purpose is to create a print advertisement that inspires others to preserve water, now and for future generations. The competition calls on professionals and non-professionals in 48 European countries to design a newspaper advertisement, using the competition logo, which inspires the European public in a positive way.

The winners will have their work displayed on the competition website with possibilities of exhibits and placement in European print media. A jury of graphic design, advertising, photography and environmental experts will select a winner.

Part of the UN's global campaign

The European ad competition is part of The Future We Want, the UN's global campaign leading up to the Rio+20 Conference in June 2012. This global conference could change the way we think about our world in terms of economic, social and environmental matters, and that's why the UN is engaging all citizens to put forward their ideas. Initiatives and competitions like this one from all corners of the globe that will form part of a global conversation about The Future We Want.

The „Drop by Drop“ UN European Ad Competition called on professionals and non-professionals to create a newspaper ad that inspires others to preserve water, now and for future generations. The competition was organized to galvanize support for the Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development in June 2012 and the UN Secretary-General´s initiative „the Future we want“.

Italian Designer Daniele Gaspari won the competition for his ad Wasting water will kill the future which shows a water gun held to the head of an infant. The ad from more than 3,500 ads submitted to the competition from 45 European countries. Many of them were published in newspapers and even books and displayed in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Denmark, Russia, Sweden, Iceland, Finland, Norway, Greenland, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia and Greece.

The first prize, the Nordic Council of Ministers Award and a 5,000 euro cash prize, was handed over to Mr. Gaspari at a ceremony in Copenhagen on 5 June, World Environment Day, by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Denmark. Eszter Szigethy of Hungary won the Youth Prize for her entry Save Earthlings and Turkish graphic designer Toprak Onur won the public vote for his contribution, Save your children.Drop by Drop

Rio+20 ? the short name for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 2012 - is a historic opportunity to define pathways to a safer, more equitable, cleaner, greener and more prosperous world for all. Twenty years after the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio, where countries adopted Agenda 21 ? a blueprint to rethink economic growth, advance social equity and ensure environmental protection ? the UN is again bringing together governments, international institutions and major groups1 to agree on a range of smart measures that can reduce poverty while promoting decent jobs, clean energy and a more sustainable and fair use of resources. Rio+20 is a chance to move away from business-as-usual and to act to end poverty, address environmental destruction and build a bridge to the future.

Part of the UN's global campaign

The European ad competition is part of The Future We Want, the UN's global campaign leading up to the Rio+20 Conference in June 2012. This global conference could change the way we think about our world in terms of economic, social and environmental matters, and that's why the UN is engaging all citizens to put forward their ideas. Initiatives and competitions like this one from all corners of the globe that will form part of a global conversation about The Future We Want.

A major component of Rio+20 will be the green economy – making everything we do in the world better aligned to sustainable development. More information on Rio+20 and the green economy can be found in the background information.

What is Rio+20?

Rio+20 is a UN conference on sustainable development. The conference is a historic opportunity to, amongst many other things, set the world's water management and consumption onto a truly sustainable pathway for the future. This is part of what the UN calls the shift to a "green economy".

• The one-stop Rio+20 shop http://www.uncsd2012.org