Secondary school students inside and outside the country were challenged by the Faculty of Biotechnology at the Universidade Catolica in Porto to produce a video on the importance of washing hands in order to protect both health and the precious resource that is water. The starting point for the work is the notion that the best way to sensitize young people and children is horizontally, among peers and naturally. The contest was launched on May 5th, World Hand Hygiene Day, and the results are announced today, June 7th, which is World Food Safety Day.
“Start scrubbing” is the title of the video that won the competition and was written by João Oliveira, a student at Colégio Alfacoop, in Braga. It's a very original rap that is destined for success on Youtube. Second prize was awarded to the video “Wash your hands!” by Miguel Fonseca, a student at Escola Secundária Filipa de Vilhena, in Porto, for having managed to create the most unexpected plot twist of the contest. The jury also decided to award an Honorable Mention to the Center for Learning and School Training in Lospalos, in Timor-Leste, for its two videos (video 1 and video 2) on "The importance and ecology of washing hands", where that good ideas have no borders.
"If there is no doubt that washing your hands is important for health, why is it so difficult to convince people that they should do it and do it correctly? These competitors have created new narrative approaches that can reach audiences less susceptible to rules or conventions", explains Paula Teixeira, deputy director of the Faculty of Biotechnology and responsible for the activity.
The contest had the participation of 14 groups from different locations in the country: Porto, Sertã, Valongo, Gaia, Trofa and Timor-Leste. First place received a prize of €200 and second place a prize of €50. The honorable mention is also €50.
The initiative was carried out within the scope of the Blue Design Alliance project, financed by the funds of the Recovery and Resilience Plan for 2021-2026 and links water, environment and microbes, contributing to the construction of a renewed and fresh image on the importance of hand hygiene from a sustainability perspective.
Winners' videos:
Honorable Mention: Video 1 and Video 2
