Children of the Earth

Children of the Earth It was Simon Flem Devold, a well-known Norwegian writer, who in 1987 suggested that North Cape, be used for something of positive and symbolic value far beyond the borders of Norway. Why not, he thought, bring children from different nations and cultures together at North Cape and let them create a lasting expression of youthful understanding, cooperation and joy – regardless of national, racial, religious and political boundaries! In June 1988, seven children from as many countries, converged on the cliff to create reliefs of clay with motives reflecting their creativity and emotions. Their reliefs were enlarged, cast in bronze and erected in a semi-circle outside the North Cape Hall together with the “Mother and Child” statue made by the artist Eva Rybakken. Every year since 1989, the Children of the Earth prize is awarded to a person, an organization or a project working to promote the quality of life, rights and health of children in the world. The youngsters who demonstrated the inherent desire of children everywhere in the world to have a good time and be friendly towards each other, were from the very beginning called The Children of the Earth.