GENEVA - The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) announced in a press release that young people from Syria, Ghana and China won the top three spots in the youth video competition for this year’s World Intellectual Property Day, which carries the theme “IP and Youth Innovating for a Better Future.”

Twenty-five year old Hekma Jabouli from Syria won the first prize with her short film showing a home-made smart device designed to help her sister regain mobility after shrapnel injury to her spinal cord.

In an online vote, Ms. Jabouli’s video was selected best submission among an original pool of nearly 150 entries from dozens of countries.

Twenty-seven year old John Wobil from Ghana took second place for his video about a new rice thresher, while digital designers Li Binglu and Cai Quinge, Chinese nationals living in Japan, came third with their story about creating new pictograms or emojis to forge connections among remote workers.

WIPO Director General Daren Tang said that about half the world’s population is under the age of 30 and is the fastest-growing demographic in many parts of the world – and that younger people are already working on solutions to shared issues, supported by intellectual property (IP) rights like trademarks, patents, designs, copyright and others that help people earn a living from their work.

"This year, on World Intellectual Property Day, WIPO is celebrating the vision and dynamism of young innovators and creators everywhere.

At a time when humanity needs to come together to address a range of urgent challenges - from overcoming the pandemic, to combatting climate change - we must help our youths to realize their innovation potential.

WIPO is working to build a more inclusive IP ecosystem by expanding access to IP for groups who have been historically under-represented, including women, smaller enterprises and younger people, which is why we selected this year's theme. A better future begins with young people and WIPO intends to ensure that IP is there to help them grow," WIPO Director General Daren Tang.