In order to further promote peace education in member cities around the world, Mayors for Peace hosts an annual children’s art competition inviting children from 6 to 15 years old who live in Mayors for Peace member cities to submit artworks on the theme of Peace. This is to announce that 20 prize-winning submissions have been selected for 2024, the seventh year of the competition.
The artwork that wins the Mayors for Peace President’s Award will be printed on clear folders which Mayors for Peace will be using to promote awareness of the importance of peace education on various occasions.
Submission period: From April 23 until October 31, 2024
Submissions received by member cities:
Total number of participating cities: 123 cities in 21 countries
Total Number of applications: 4,208 (6 to 10 years old: 2,312, 11 to 15 years old: 1,896)
Selection results:
6 to 10 years old: the 1st place (1 winner), the 2nd place (2 winners), the 3rd place (3 winners)
11 to 15 years old: the Mayors for Peace President’s Award /the 1st place (1 winner), the 2nd place (2 winners), the 3rd place (3 winners)
Special prize (8 winners)
Note: One of the first place winners from the two age categories has been selected for the Mayors for Peace President’s Award.
Note: 8 special prize winners have been selected regardless of the category.
Prize-winning works
6-10 years old
1st place (1 winner)
Shaviva Winslade in Tasman, New Zealand (10 years old)
《Message from the artist》
My painting was inspired by a hope for peace for every human, regardless of their race, culture, age or social status.
2nd place (2 winners):
Pol Calzado in Caldes de Montbui, Spain (6 years old)
《Message from the artist》
How festivals can unite people and contribute to peaceful coexistence.
Dominika Derkach in Nova Ushytsia, Ukraine (9 years old)
《Message from the artist》
The picture shows a little girl sleeping peacefully in her room, hugging her favourite toy – a teddy bear. Outside the window, you can see a night city with bright windows of high-rise buildings, reminding you of life and hope even in dark times. The starry sky and the moon over the city create an atmosphere of comfort and tranquillity. The drawing conveys the dream that every child can fall asleep under a peaceful sky, feeling safe and loved.
3rd place (3 winners):
Keisan Amani in Azna, Iran (6 years old)
《Message from the artist》
People can be friends together and live with together and be happy together, even if they have different skin colors.
Dima Alomari in Zarka, Jordan (7 years old)
《Message from the artist》
Mama is my Peace
Sayed Mahan Mosavi in Shahinshahr, Iran (6 years old)
《Message from the artist》
Peaceful living means coexisting with nature, humans, animals, and plants without causing harm.
11-15 years old
Mayors for Peace President’s Award / 1st place (1 winner)
Sui Ochi in Hiroshima, Japan (13 years old)
《Message from the artist》
I saw the white doves shining most beautifully in the blue summer sky—not an inferno, a pale light, or a foreign airplane.
If I had been under that sky at that time, I would have drawn a picture with a scorched feather that had drifted in from somewhere. I wonder if anyone would want that picture.
2nd place (2 winners):
Kondo Yuriko in Hiroshima, Japan (15years old)
《Message from the artist》
What peace means to me is the continuation of the daily life without war that I am living now. However, many conflicts and wars are happening around the world. That’s why I drew this picture, hoping that those who start wars would realize how meaningless they are. Instead of resorting to fighting or taking out their stress on others, I hope they can find ways to release stress on their own, perhaps by looking at the beautiful evening sky, as shown in this picture. Finding relief, immersing themselves in their favorite things, and finding comfort in nature could help prevent wars from breaking out over trivial things.
Arshida Jahanpour in Shahinshahr, Iran (11 years old)
《Message from the artist》
This is Iran and all Iranians love all people from all nations.
It is Iran, where all Iranians embrace people from all countries, races, and colours throughout history, as well as
races and colours from the distant past. This has been shown in historical.
3rd place (3 winners):
Risako Adachi in Kurume, Japan (12 years old)
《Message from the artist》
I depicted how peace has been achieved through the efforts of people in the past who stopped wars, using nature as a symbol. Wars bring immense sorrow and take away people’s smiles by claiming many lives. They also deprive people of food and tear families apart. As I created this picture, I reflected on the many who must have endured such tragedies. I resolved to do my part to ensure that the peace passed down by those before us lasts forever.
Tuana Hanceroglu in Kuşadası, Türkiye (15 years old)
《Message from the artist》
War is the result of ignorance. The only way to stop this is to develop, gain knowledge, understand the effects of wars on people, and prduce more humane and peaceful solutions.
Nicole Audrei Rilles in Muntinlupa, Philippines (15 years old)
《Message from the artist》
Peace is the harmony we find within ourselves, in our communities, and the world around us. When we nurture inner calm, kindness, and understanding, we create a ripple that spread to our families, communities, and the world. True peace is born from the heart, and only we can share it with others when we find it in ourselves. It means understanding in relationships, compassion in society, respect for nature, and unity in diversity. Peace is not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of love, kindness, and balance in all the walks in life.
Special Prize
Zlata Herasymchuk in Nova Ushytsia, Ukraine (9 years old)
《Message from the artist》
The drawing depicts a peaceful city amongst the charming pink trees that cover everything with delicate colours. A calm stream meanders between the houses, whose roofs are painted in bright colours that symbolise hope and renewal. The sun shines through the clouds, radiating warmth and light, creating a sense of peace and harmony. This drawing expresses the dream of a peaceful and prosperous city where life flows smoothly like a stream.
Waku Ota in Urayasu, Japan (9 years old)
《Message from the artist》
Watching fireworks fills me with warmth and happiness, which is why I drew a picture of myself watching them with my family.
Dorothy Maguire in Dublin, Ireland (10 years old)
《Message from the artist》
In my drawing I drew a crow, the sign of death and a dove, the sign of peace. Since what peace means to me is that people get along no matter how different they are. I also drew a humming bird because music brings me peace so I thought a humming bird would be nice!
Zahra Farady in Rochester, US (10 years old)
《Message from the artist》
This is a picture of me swinging in the tree looking up at the world. It’s a beautiful fall day and the leaves are starting to fall off the trees. It’s quiet and life is good.
Elisa Marouf in Khosrowshah, Iran (9 years old)
《Message from the artist》
The painted girl is me, and I drew my hair like the sea to show that we all play and live close together like fish. I drew this picture to show that all people can live together without any problems or fights and always be happy and laugh. Living in peace and friendship makes us much happier.
Nilay Faramarzzadeh in Marand, Iran (9 years old)
《Message from the artist》
The painting shows a happy girl who imagines a peaceful city in her mind and a smile can be seen on her face as she thinks about peace and tranquility. She has two cats by her side, which symbolize kindness to animals and peace.
Gracie Quinney in Tasman, New Zealand (12 years old)
《Message from the artist》
Peace to me is like nature, where everything fits together perfectly and we all live in harmony. I feel most at peace when I’m dancing at home, and I wish that all kids can grow up in peaceful homes where they’re free to dance too.
Abigail Guadalupe Vargas in San Salvador de Jujuy, Argentina (15 years old)
《Message from the artist》
All children in the world have the right to live in a peaceful world.