Calendars featuring drawings by Bermudian primary school children are being distributed as part of the Peace and Tolerance Campaign.

Friends of the United Nations representative Sarah Fellows, introduced 2004?s campaign that includes ten new initiatives including the calendars.

General manager Andrew Mackay from Gorham?s, the calendar?s sponsor, was also on hand to present the colourful and peace-oriented calendars during yesterday?s press conference.

Gorham?s will also be supporting the campaign for the next seven years.

?Peace and tolerance through art is very pro-active. It?s a great opportunity and we look forward to working with them for the next seven years,? he said.

The calendars also include quotes from the school children and pictures of the students working on their art.

Ms Fellows said 1,000 calendars had been distributed to Government offices and more than 1,000 would be distributed to schools.

School children will also set up tables outside of Gorham?s where members of the public can contribute to the campaign by giving a donation for a calendar.

Other highlights for the year?s campaign include a national youth talent contest, greeting cards with primary school artwork, the United Nations International School and United Nations Conference and the Bermuda Simulcast Support Conference and a middle and senior school poetry and essay contest.

A Grassroots Tennis League, an Islandwide hamper campaign, a national youth debate, the United Nations Award Ceremony and a documentary are also planned.

Students have been invited to attend the 28th Annual United Nations and United Nations International School Conference in New York at the United Nations headquarters on March 3 to 5.

?The theme of the conference is ?Modern Mass Media ? the influence of information?. Global Arts Entertainment is proposing to take 24 children to the conference in New York,? Ms Fellows said.

?In addition, Global Arts Entertainment will be hosting a simulcast Bermuda support conference.

?The support conference will have a live link to the United Nations and offer some 150 children from private and public schools in Bermuda the opportunity to unite and be a part of the conference at the United Nations.?