Called "Welcoming the World" more than 500 pupils from the five Host Boroughs, living and studying close the the Olympic Park, will document their local area in photographs, short films and music for the "My World" and "Our World" projects.

 

They will showcase their work to the world during events to mark the Handover Ceremony for the Paralympic Games in September.

Talented artists including documentary photography Gideon Mendel, film-maker Pratibha Parmar and music director Mike Dixon will guide them in workshops running between now and June.

Sebastian Coe, chairman of London 2012, said: "Welcoming the World in an exciting initiative for local school children to learn new skills and explore the cultural landscape of their local area at a time when it is going through enormous change.

 

"The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are ‘everyone’s Games’ and the Welcoming the World project is one way local school children can get involved and contribute right now."

 

Denise Jones, the Leader of Tower Hamlets Council, one of the Host Boroughs, said: "The young people in this Borough will be lucky enough to have access to Olympic standard facilities after the Games in 2012.

 

"Getting the students involved in documenting their journey through this period of change and thinking about what they want the eyes of the world to see in 2012, is an important part of encouraging them to make the most of this once in a lifetime opportunity."