Through a glass starkly

Debbie Lau Hei-tung, 11, is pictured with her trophy and winning picture (top) after picking up first prize in the Asia-Pacific Art and Writing Competition organised by the United Nations on the theme 'Wanted! Seas and Oceans - Dead or Alive?' The contest, open to six to 16-year-olds in the Asian-Pacific region, was part of the UN programme for World Environment Day, and attracted more than 1,200 entries from 14 countries. Her water colour, which will be used in UN promotional material on marine conservation, featured people from different races co-operating to monitor the marine environment. Debbie, from Kowloon True Light Middle School, says she is saddened by Hong Kong's water pollution. 'Only beautiful oceans can make all valuable creatures live and the only way to achieve this is through the joint effort of the whole world,' she said.