Peace, Let’s Be Friends!
15,932 children and youth from 40 countries drew “What can we do to achieve peace?”
Hosted by IWPG · 2025 · 73 final award-winning works
Overview
The International Loving-Peace Art Competition offers children and youth an opportunity to engrave in their hearts the hope for cessation of war and the realization of world peace, to envision a peaceful world of the future through their own drawings, and to bring the value of peace into their daily lives. In particular, the theme of the 7th competition, “What can we do to achieve peace?” invites participants to see peace not as a distant ideal but as a practice that begins with oneself and one’s community. This year, a total of 15,932 children and youth from 40 countries took part in the competition, discovering ways to create peace in their everyday lives and expressing those ideas through diverse lines and colors.
Since its founding in 2013, the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) has been devoted to spreading a culture of peace to achieve cessation of war and the realization of world peace. As part of this effort, the International Loving-Peace Art Competition, launched in 2018, has become a global platform where children and youth around the world communicate through art and grow as active advocates of peace.
Details of the Event
- Event Name
- 7th International Loving-Peace Art Competition
- Subtitle
- Peace, Let’s Be Friends!
- Theme
- What can we do to achieve peace?
- Hosted by
- International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG)
- Division (Age)
- D1 7–9 · D2 10–12 · D3 13–15 · D4 16–18
Results
- Countries
- 40
- Participants
- 15,932
- Award-Winning Works
- 1 Grand Prize, 4 Gold, 4 Silver, 12 Bronze, 19 Honorable Mention, 33 Participation Awards (73 in total)
- Special Awards
- Korean Fine Arts Association (KFAA) 4, The Federation of Artistic & Cultural Organizations of Korea (FACO) 4
- Final Judges
- Soon-kyu Hwang (Head Judge), Swati Ghosh, Irena Procházková
Greetings
The Most Beautiful Artists of This Era
Dear IWPG’s peace family and all youth and children who are the center of this art brochure, first, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the participants who have contributed to this shining record of the 7th International Loving-Peace Art Competition. With a brush in one hand and dreams in the other, you have painted colors that now gather here to brighten the world.
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This year’s theme posed the fundamental question: How can we make peace a tangible reality? In response, the children gave answers that were both pure and remarkably clear. Respecting others, loving one another, choosing forgiveness over hatred…. Many children said that peace is made up of small acts of friendship and love. Their words are deeply warm and moving.
Many of us may have forgotten this simple truth, which is why IWPG is hosting this competition every year to spread a culture of peace with a motherly heart.
The art brochure of this competition is not just any art brochure. It is a textbook of peace for the future generation and a reminder for the adult generation of our heavy responsibility to raise our children in peace.
IWPG is sowing the seed of peace with women all around the world to make sure that these drawings do not remain as mere pieces of art. IWPG is committed to making sure these dreams take root as a culture of peace and to realizing the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) as an unwavering legal foundation for sustainable peace.
We send our heartfelt thanks to the judges, mentors, parents, and all IWPG staff and members around the world who dedicated themselves to creating this precious art brochure. The children and youth are the true heroes of peace and the most beautiful artists of this era.
May the warm light of this moment dwell deeply in the hearts of all who open this brochure. And may this document become a milestone in your personal path toward peace. Thank you.
Chairwoman Na-yeong Jeon, International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG)
“Even though she is just one woman, she can strive to make her country a better place.”— Moe Thet Kapyar, Myanmar
Finals Judges’ Interview
In this 7th competition, children and youth from diverse cultures and age groups around the world showcased meaningful artworks harboring the singular, pure aspiration of ‘peace’. Experts representing each continent gathered for the final judging.
What was the most impressive artwork for you in these finals?
Mr. HwangFirst, I would like to thank IWPG for its significant efforts for world peace. Peace is life itself. In this competition, the work by the student from Bangladesh particularly moved our hearts. The intense longing for peace emanated from the student’s pure heart, and we selected it as the Grand Prize winner by unanimous decision.
Ms. ProcházkováThe work from an artist from Bangladesh was a unanimous decision by the entire jury. We selected it for the Grand Prize. Of course, it was very difficult to choose just one, as there were so many wonderful works. I find it striking that the children’s artworks have shown an increase in creativity and have become much more colorful.
Ms. GhoshHonestly, each and every artwork I have seen today moved me. They all show the sincerity of the children—the love and peace they hold in their hearts. It was truly difficult to select just one, especially when so many artworks showed such love, kindness, and connection with nature.
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What were the most important criteria you considered when judging the final artworks?
Ms. ProcházkováThe first criterion I considered was adherence to the theme. Since I am an artist, the second criterion was the technical skill, such as the painting technique and the composition. I was also incredibly surprised by the high quality of the artworks in the division for the youngest children.
Ms. GhoshThe most important criteria for me were creativity, originality, and how well the artwork supported the theme. Of course, we cannot overlook technical skill; that is another essential element, but I think in everything we saw, the children did a perfect job.
Mr. HwangI focused on how deep the students’ passion for peace was, and how sincerely they expressed that feeling—that peace is as precious as life itself—in their artwork.
You must have been very inspired by the children’s work. What actions are you planning to take for peace in the future?
Ms. ProcházkováAs a judge for the Prague division in Europe, I would like to further promote and support the division in Prague. Specifically, I will offer to host an exhibition of the finalists’ artworks in my gallery in the center of Prague. I am very excited and look forward to seeing the artworks in the next edition.
Ms. GhoshIWPG is doing a very great job spreading peace and humanity throughout the world. They are trying to connect people, which is the main thing we need, and this is how we can spread peace. As a citizen of India, a country where we promote peace and harmony through our culture and arts, I would like to associate with more peace-loving institutions like IWPG and join in spreading peace all over the world.
Mr. HwangIf there is no peace, there is no humanity. This competition is such a valuable endeavor that raises awareness of peace for our youth. As an artist and an advisor, I will always actively cooperate and contribute to this noble cause.
“Every child can spread the spirit of peace to every corner of the world with love and imagination.”— Muhammad Aldric Rafisqy, Indonesia
Gallery of Award-Winning Works
Tap any work to view it larger.
Title
‘The cry for peace’
Description
This artwork is my message for peace, a message that the world needs today. At first glance, it is filled with chaos, fire, destruction, and overwhelming pain. But as you look deeper, you will see a silent prayer for peace emerging from despair.
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At the center, a young child sits with eyes closed in prayer, symbolizing innocence, hope, and a silent plea for peace. The child yearns for a world that chooses peace, clinging to hope as the only refuge. The surrounding tanks, missiles, and burning buildings represent the devastation of war, while the barbed wire and raising hands show the suffering and helplessness of countless victims in the crossfire. This child embodies countless innocent lives caught in the merciless grasp of fire.
Yet, even in this darkness, flickers of hope remain. A white dove in the smoke carries the message that the dream of peace never dies. An eye with a peace symbol signifies that we must see the world through the lens of peace. The national flags and the UN in the background remind us that peace is the duty of all humanity. The word ‘please’ is the emotional essence of this artwork, a desperate cry to choose peace.
The child, praying even as everything burns, speaks for millions worldwide longing for safety and a life untamed by fear. Therefore, let us rise above the sorrow, believe in humanity’s potential for better days, and be the ones who choose peace and hope.
Gold
4Read description
Peace is like a white dove soaring freely and hopefully in a sky painted with beautiful colors. Below it, children from different cultures hold hands and play together, showing that peace grows where there is mutual understanding and togetherness. Peace is also like a large kite. To ensure its string never breaks, let us all protect world peace with love, generosity, and a spirit of unity.
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This image depicts a “Tree of Peace” that unites all the countries of the world. It symbolizes that peace can be achieved through the unity of all nations. As the young generation, let us stand together in harmony and unity for the better future.
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This drawing contains symbols of harmony such as doves, various races, and clasped hands. Through this, it delivers a powerful message for all people to understand each other, not to fight, and to be united as one. Through simple images and calm colors, this drawing tells us all to become messengers of peace.
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I put the most effort into the part where people are shaking hands because it shows understanding and friendship. I was thinking about how small actions can make a big difference in the world. Each person in the drawing is doing something peaceful: greeting others, sharing, planting, or supporting peace.
Silver
4Read description
Peace begins with loving our families. Love costs nothing, but that love brightens the world. The big dove in the picture represents the great hope in our hearts. When we love our families, love ourselves, and cherish each other even if we are different, the world will become peaceful. Just as Mother Teresa said, “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.”
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I gathered figures, animals, and symbols from humanity’s past, present, and future to express how faith, science, and literature harmonize for the common good. From Gandhi’s spirit of non-violence and Shakespeare’s words to Einstein’s curiosity, the message conveyed by countless themes is but one: “Peace through unity in inclusivity.”
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When you educate one child well, teaching them how to promote peace, kindness, honesty, knowledge, and responsibility, that child grows up and influences those around them. “Educate your child, educate the world.”
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Today, many people are actively engaged online. I, too, am spreading messages of peace to all nations. Children from around the world are rising from the ruins, lifting the Earth with hope and love. The wings of peace and the power of connection at their fingertips remind us that the future is built not with weapons, but with kindness, courage, and compassion.
Bronze
12Honorable Mention
19Participation Awards
33Special Awards
8Special Award-winning works, sponsored by distinguished institutions that recognize and honor the artistic value of this global event.
Photo Stories
Preliminaries and finals around the world
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