Haitian student holds a What About Peace? drawing from the United States.

For six years What About Peace? has attracted youth ages 14 -20 years old to creatively answer the question, ‘What About Peace?”. It has attracted submissions from all over the United States and a few from the rest of the world.

As the artwork collected over the years we thought it could do more for peace out in the world than stacked in the office.

This October, a Global Exchange Reality Tour was headed to Haiti and graciously agreed to bring five of our favorite What About Peace? paintings to a school in Haiti. We had our message of peace translated into Kreyol;

We are sending you this small gift from young people in the United States who are thinking about how to answer the question “What About Peace?” using art or creative writing. Peace and justice must be understood internationally or it can not exist. We stand with you as you work for peace and justice in your own country and we hope we can learn from you about what you think about peace.

Please receive this gift as a gesture of solidarity and connection – that people-to-people ties can build the world we want.

Zanmi Ayisyen, N ap voye pou nou yon ti kado ke yon gwoup jen ki fe aktivite kom atis ak ekriven pou brase lide sou repons keksyon “Sa Kap Fet Pou Lape?”. Toupatou sou late moun fet pou pran konsyans sou koze jistis ak lape sinon sa pap rive fet. Nou kanpe avek nou kap travay pou lape ak jistis lan peyi pa nou e nou espere aprann sa nou panse sou koze lape a.

Tanpri resevwa kado sa kom yon senbol solidarite lan mache tet ansanm – moun toupatou men lan men kapab bati mond nou vle a.

SOPUDEP students greeted Global Exchange Reality Tour participants.

The Reality Tour was welcomed by Rea Dol, the Director and Co-Founder of SOPUDEP, the Society of Providence United for the Economic Development of Petionville, which runs education projects in the outskirts of Port au Prince. The Reality Tour participants all agreed that Rea Dol represents the best of Haiti – tenacity, hope, and the indomitable spirit of the women and children to learn no matter what the physical circumstances are. The schools are still recovering after the January 12, 2010 earthquake that destroyed Port-au-Prince and killed more than 300,000 people.

Many of the students in schools run by SOPUDEP come from the street. They are “restaveks” – child domestic slave laborers – who were sexually and physically abused and so prefer street life to adoptive parents. They find shelter and community in SOPUDEP

Andrea Broad reported back from the visit to the SOPUDEP school: “The kids really marveled at the whole concept and responded to the paintings, sketches and photos. I read them each of the artists’ names and where they were from. They asked several questions, but were otherwise shy about saying much…. Two days later we went back to the SOPUDEP school, and one young man already had completed an entry.”

TAKE ACTION:

Tell teachers, students and community workers about What About Peace? They can get involved here.

Help us send more messages of peace to schools around the world by making a donation to Global Exchange’s What About Peace? contest. For $10 we’ll send you beautiful blank note cards with images from previous entrants. Order a set for yourself and your friends.

“What About Peace?” by Christina Scheblein

Global Exchange has been a part of the What About Peace? youth art contest for six years, but this is the first year we’re offering notecards featuring some of the artwork. We’re quite excited about this, and hope you are too!

For this first run, we’re offering a collection of three beautiful designs, all past “Honorable Mention” winners.

The cards are available now for your holiday and New Year’s greetings!

The card designs reflect the urgent, dignified and playful call for peace envisioned by three talented young What About Peace? contestants.

A  set of 9 cards (3 of each design) is yours for a $10 donation to the project. The 4” by 5 ½” cards are blank inside with plenty of room for your personal holiday greeting (or any greeting for that matter, since peace is embraceable year-round.)

“Peace Comes From Within” by Allie Witham

• Christina Schebleim of New York has created a colorful watercolor grid of peace signs subtly including the words change and possibility in the pattern.
• Alayna Miller from Michigan calls on us to “Take Time to Converse About Peace” with a playful circle of sneakers spelling out the word “Peace”.
• Allie Whitham of Oregon’s peace dove, “Peace Comes from Within” is constructed of hundreds of black and white peace doves with a simple olive branch in its beak.

“Time to Converse about Peace” by Alayna Miller

• Support the contest designed to give creative voice to youth who want to engage in the dialogue for peace: Order your Peace cards today!
• What About Contest Seeking 2013 Entries Now! Do you know any 14 – 20 year olds? Send them this link to the contest guidelines. – The deadline is February 15. More than $2500 in prizes are offered to winners and their sponsors.
• Keep up with the What About Peace? contest: “Like” What About Peace? on Facebook.

2012 Grand Prize, “Peace is in Our Hands” by Amanda Mckenna of Sacramento, CA

What About Peace? is a Global Exchange art contest that asks youth ages 14–20 to answer this question creatively for a chance to win prize money and wide recognition.

Earlier this year hundreds of submissions rolled into our offices, and after months of jurying, judging and photographing, last April we announced the grand prize winner.

Now here we are in October, we have a What About Peace? Facebook page for folks to “like”, and are looking forward to a brand new round of entries!

What About Peace? submissions from 2012

It’s time to start thinking about peace again. Help us spread the word about this great contest where young people ages 14-20 can showcase their talents answering the question: What About Peace?

Painting, short story, photography, graphic, poetry and essay categories are judged by a panel of artists and activists based on form and content. Because of the careful “refereed” judging process, having an entry published on the What About Peace? web site is equivalent to journal publication.

Entry forms and information are on our website, www.globalexchange.org/whataboutpeace.

Prizes will be given in two categories: written (essay, poem, short story) and visual (painting, collage, photography and graphic).

GRAND PRIZE is $1000 in any category
First Place $300 each for the best written entry and $300 for best visual entry
Second Place $150 in each category
Sponsor/Teacher’s prizes $100 for Grand prize and first prizes

Deadline: entries must be in our office by February 15, 2013.

2012 Submission: “We Stand for Peace” by Mary Hare, 17 yrs, Portland, OR

TAKE ACTION!
We’re excited that another contest is underway! Here’s how you can get involved:

• “Like” What About Peace? on Facebook;
• Help us get the word out to teachers and youth workers ready to sponsor another winner;  download the What About Peace? flyer to share with friends and family;
• Youth ages 14-20 enter today! Entry forms and information are on our website.
• Be among the first to receive What About Peace? news and updates. Sign up for the What About Peace? e-mail list.

So, how do you answer the question: What About Peace?

Grand Prize, “Peace is in Our Hands” by Amanda Mckenna of Sacramento, CA

What About Peace?, the art contest that asks youth ages 14–20 to answer this question creatively is pleased to announce the 2012 winners.

Hundreds submitted entries, and after months of jurying, judging and photographing we are ready to reveal the inspiring work of  this year’s contestants, as they think about what peace means in 2012.

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners. Below is a list of winners; our grand prize winner along with the first and second place winners for each category, plus honorable mentions in each category.

Check out the What About Peace Facebook page for a peek at some of this years colorful, thought-provoking visual entries.

We will continue to showcase the creative entries through the end of the school year on our What About Peace website. You can go there now to see the first installment of all of our amazing and inspiring entries. Then keep checking back for future entries!

In the meantime, without further ado, here this year’s winners:

2012 Grand Prize Winner:

Amanda McKenna 17 years old, from Sacramento, California: “Peace is in Our Hands” sponsored by Deborah George of Sheldon High School.

First Prize Visual Arts: Paisley Hiefield, 16 years old

First Prize Visual Arts:

Paisley Hiefield, 16 years old from Portland, Oregon: “Release More Peace” sponsored by Annarose Pandey of West View High School

Second Prize Visual Arts: Jessica Tilley, 16 years old from Battle Creek Michigan: “Peace Has No Limit” sponsored by Rebecca Gardner of Harper Creek.

First Prize Written:

Emily Council, 17 years old from Wiliamsburg, VA: “Reality Check” sponsored by Moncia Schauffler of Lafayette High School.

Second Prize Written:

Simran Khanal, 15 years old from Bennington, NE: “A New Kind of Peace”, sponsored by Deborah Ward of Burke High School.

Honorable Mentions Visual Arts:

• Dana Ser, 16, Levittown, NY “Breathe in War, Breathe out Peace”
• Alayna Miller, 17 Battle Creek, MI “Take Time to Converse about Peace”
• Nhi Nguyen, 15 San Diego, CA “The Letter of Peace”
• Baylee Kentner,, 15 Levittown, NY “Represent Peace”
• Camille Mason, 16 Chattanooga TN “Peace on Earth”
• Ashley Hand, 16 Chattanooga, TN “Heartbeat?”
• Mary Hare, 17 Portland, OR “We Stand For Peace”
• Angeleena Tiaokhiao, 14 San Diego, CA “We Are Peace”
• Katie Lober, 17 Odenville, AL “Share the Peace”
• Alexander Setzer, 16 Baltimore, MD “A Piece on Peace”
• Jacob Reynolds, 16, Concord, CA “Peace is in our Reach”
• Allie Witham, 17, Portland, OR “Peace Comes from Within”
• Veronica Stamp, 17 Oneonta, NY “It isn’t Enough..”
• Brenna Rathbone, 16 Oneonta, NY “Holding the World Together, One Hand at a Time”
• Ansley Pearson, 14 Chatttanooga, TN “Let Peace Fly Free”
• David Vieira, 16 Parlin, NJ “Why Not Try Peace”
• Rausan Bonijerai, 18 , Locust Valley, NY “Peace, love, peace, love”
• Emma Black, 17, South Abington, PA “Together we Can find the Missing Peace”
• Mallory Hiefield, 16 Portland, OR “It Starts with You”

Honorable Mentions Written:

Essay:

• David Arellano, 15 Ooltewah, TN “What About Peace”
• Changwoo Hong, 16, Winona, MN “ Promoting Peace”
• Hyuntuek Huang, 16, Winona, MN “Peace Sign (V sign)”
• Lynzee Matousek, 18 Omaha, NE “My Peace”
• Jacqueline Naganuma, 17 Beaverton, OR “Peace, What About It?”
• Amelia Nichols, 15, Winona, MN “Peace is Possible”
• Nicolo Odorizzi, 17 Omaha NE, “Peace”
• Cecilia Perez, 17, Salinas, CA “Give Peace a Chance”
• Alexander Peterson, 16 Omaha, NE “Peace and War”
• Nick Thurber,16 Omaha, NE “A Piece of Mind”
• Joseph Tlougan, 16, Winona,MN “Untitled”
• Michael Yoon, 16, Winona, MN “Untitled”

Poetry:

• Samantha Adams, 16, Baltimore, MD “One World Peace”
• Emily Banat, 17 Omaha NE, “The Implications of ‘Peace”
• Rachel Chuang, 17 Great Falls, VA “Perched on the Window”
• Lauren Cooper, 17 Omaha, NE “The First One Home”
• Eric Keisling, 18 Omaha, NE “Something to Fight For”

Short Story:

• Erin Brown, 16 Omaha, NE “That One Person”
• Hannah Combs, 15 Chattanooga, TN “Why Can’t There Be Peace?”
• Kathryn Gunderson, 16 Seaford, NY “City of Peace”
• Stephen Skelly, 16, Levittown, NY “Stockholm Syndrome”

Artwork ready for the jury

What about Peace? The answer is on it’s way.

What About Peace? is the international arts contest for youth ages 14 – 20 to express ideas and thoughts about peace by responding to the question, “What About Peace?” through artistic expression, with $1500 in prize money to be given out.

"What About Peace?" submissions laid out by jurists

The deadline has passed to submit and the question “What about Peace?” has been answered by over 700 young people – using the medium of photography, painting, graphic, poetry, short story and essay.  The answers came from all over the country – Virginia, Minnesota, Nebraska, Arizona, California and far off countries including the Philippines.

Last year I served as the “What About Peace?” Grand Judge and this is the first year that Global Exchange has been in charge of this contest that is designed to reward sustained thought about what we mean by peace and how we achieve it.  It was started by a visionary woman, Barbara Briggs-Letson who believes that having young people think about peace is a good thing and that their unleashed creativity can and will make it happen.

What About Peace? promotes an important inter-generational dialogue and the jurists were inspired by the carefully thought out essays, poems and beautiful paintings and collages.

Some of the "What About Peace" 2012 entries

For continuity this year I drove up to Sebastopol, CA where last year’s jury showed me how it was done. Four jurists – a museum curator, an artist and two art teachers helped me spread out all the visual pieces in the pews of large church that had donated space. Then came the difficult task of finding the truly unique answers, the creative responses and the artfully executed pieces. It wasn’t easy! There are some great entries this year.

Now the pieces have returned to San Francisco, where our Grand Judge Rae Abileah will pick the prize winners in the next two weeks and we will have the honor of announcing and posting the winners on April 20th on our What About Peace? website and right here on our People to People blog. Stay tuned!

What About Peace? is a Global Exchange international arts contest

With the submission deadline just one day away, it is finally time to announce who this year’s What About Peace? Grand Judge is, and that person is….drum roll please…

Rae Abileah!!!

What About Peace 2012 Grand Judge Rae Abileah

Rae Abileah is the co-director of CODEPINK Women for Peace (www.codepink.org).  She is also a founding member of Young Jewish Proud, the youth wing of Jewish Voice for Peace. Rae is a contributing author to 10 Excellent Reasons Not to Join the Military; Sisters Singing: Incantations, Blessings, Chants, Prayers, Art and Sacred Stories by Women; Beyond Tribal Loyalties: Stories of Jewish Peace Activists; and Beautiful Trouble: A Toolbox for Revolution.  Her articles have been published on Mondoweiss, AlterNet, Common Dreams, Pink Tank, and she has guest blogged for Global Exchange.

Please join me in welcoming Rae as this year’s What About Peace? Grand Judge. Rae is a shining example of what it takes to be a truly dedicated activist, role model, and leader in the struggle for justice around the world! Last year Kirsten Moller served as the Grand Judge.

The "What About Peace?" art contest submission table

Submissions are pouring in as the deadline approaches. All entries must be received in our office on or before February 15th, 2012 to qualify. The Grand prize is $1000, but more than $2500 in total prizes will be awarded. Check out www.whataboutpeace.org for all the contest details.

On my way to lunch this afternoon, I passed a big pile of incoming mail. The person watching the front desk area told me “Most of these are “What About Peace?” submissions. Crazy, huh?”

I picked one envelope up out of curiosity. The return address said Philippines.

“So cool,” I thought. Each one of these art submissions was created by a young person…poems and short stories, photographs and paintings. Graphic designs, essays and cartoons. Piles of submissions, all about peace. All by young people. From all over the world.

Yes, so cool. And now that we have a cool Grand Judge, we are gearing up for the big announcement. Who will be crowned this year’s What About Peace winner? Stay tuned.

"Unity" 1st place painting winner by Christopher Minafo 15 years old, New York

We hear a lot of talk about war, violence and destruction, but what about peace?  This important question is the inspiration behind our international arts contest, aptly named What About Peace? The contest is for youth ages 14 – 20 to express ideas and thoughts about peace by responding to the question, “What About Peace?” through artistic expression.

Though the contest is in full swing and the deadline is closing in, there is still time to enter. All entries must be received in our office on or before February 15th, 2012 to qualify.

"What About Peace" 2012 submission table

I meandered over to the contest submission area at our office today to peek at the entries, and I have to say, I got a little verklempt. There are some really inspiring pieces already in, organized in boxes by category, with bigger pieces stacked behind. A surprisingly large haul of photographs and poems. Cool!

But I’m not the only one. Throughout the workday today I could hear other Global Exchange staffers milling about the contest submission table, checking out the newest arrivals.

Of course it’s not up to us who wins the big $1,000 prize. That will be up to the grand judge (to be announced soon right here on our People to People blog.) Last year Global Exchange’s Kirsten Moller was the What About Peace? grand judge and shared her reflections in this blog post about the contest winner.

The Contest Accepted Mediums are:

• Telling a story (up to 500 words)
• Writing an essay (up to 500 words)
• Creating a poem (up to 200 words)
• Painting a picture or collage (up to 18” x 24”)
• Taking a photo (up to 11” x 14” on photo paper)
• Designing a graphic, poster or comic strip/cartoon (up to 18”x24”)

It’s not too late to enter! If you are between the ages of 14-20 enter today. If you are a teacher, counselor or youth worker, please encourage your students to apply.

Download entry form here.

Download contest flyer to share with teachers here.

The Grand prize is $1000, but more than $2500 in total prizes will be awarded. Check out www.whataboutpeace.org for all the entry details.

WHAT ABOUT PEACE? RULES N SUCH:

• You must be between 14 and 20 years of age to participate.
• One entry per person…One person per entry.
• Entries won’t be returned. What About Peace? has the right to use any and all entries on our website, in displays, and in publicity for the contest. Copyright belongs to the entrant.
• Be sure that you and your teacher/sponsor understand our stance on copying and plagiarism.  They are not allowed.
• Send your entry and the form to What About Peace ? at 2017 Mission Street, 2nd floor, San Francisco, CA 94110;  All entries must be received in our office on or before February 15th, 2012.

WHAT ABOUT PEACE? WINNER DETAILS:

• The sponsor/teacher of each winner will be notified of their winner(s) by US Mail.
• All winning entries will be posted on our website, www.whataboutpeace.org on April 20th, 2012.
• Sponsors/teachers will present What About Peace? awards in our name.
• All winning entries will be posted on our website on April 20th, 2012.

SPREAD THE WORD! An easy way to spread the word about this exciting contest is to Share and Tweet this post (buttons on top right of post.) Here’s to a peaceful tomorrow.

Priceless Peace by Bikram Singh, California

It’s the beginning of a new year, the perfect time to contemplate peace and the environment. With 2012 in full swing, the deadlines for two youth-focused events, an art contest and eco-awards, are fast approaching. Here’s more about them, and how you can get involved:

1) What About Peace? is a Global Exchange international arts contest for youth ages 14 – 20 to express ideas and thoughts about peace by responding to the question, “What About Peace?” through artistic expression.

What about Peace Hands Can Help by Michelle Cupp, Missouri

Are you finishing up your painting, choosing between photographs or assembling a collage?  Does your poem, short story or essay say everything you want it to convey about peace?  Because on February 15th we hope that your ideas for peace will be in our office and ready for the jurying process!

If you are a teacher, counselor or youth worker, please encourage your students to apply. Here’s a downloadable flyer you can print and share.

The Grand prize is $1000! Check out www.whataboutpeace.org for all the entry details.

To get your brain pumpin, here’s some unique painting style ideas:) Just remember to stick to the contest size rule (up to 18” x 24”).

2) Eco-Hero Awards recognizes accomplishments of young people ages 8 – 16 whose personal projects have significantly improved the environment. The awards are sponsored by Action For Nature.

The young people who contribute their stories, pictures, insights, and achievements are at the heart of what Action For Nature stands for. The Eco-Hero Awards gives young people both the motivation and the means to continue creating positive change for the natural world.

Award recipients receive up to $500 cash, an award certificate, and other forms of recognition. The application deadline is January 15, 2012. Visit the Action for Nature website for application requirements or email ian@actionfornature.org for more info.

—

An easy way to spread the word about both of these exciting events is Share and Tweet this post (buttons on top right of post.) Here’s to the next generation leading by example!

Omg, it’s totally true. Lol! (That was my ridiculously lame attempt to sound like a young person:)

What About Peace? is an international arts contest for youth ages 14 – 20 to express ideas and thoughts about peace by responding to the question, “What About Peace?” through artistic expression, with $1500 in prize money to be given out.

The accepted mediums are:

• Telling a story (up to 500 words)
• Writing an essay (up to 500 words)
• Creating a poem (up to 200 words)
• Painting a picture or collage (up to 18” x 24”)
• Taking a photo (up to 11” x 14” on photo paper)
• Designing a graphic, poster or comic strip/cartoon (up to 18” x 24”)

Honorable Mention: Anjali Chandrashekar 18 years old, Tamil Nadu, India "Peace! Is It Out There?"

Past What About Peace? entries have blown me away. Whether official winners or not, there have been some really incredible submissions in past years, like this honorable mention from last year. (I couldn’t create something 1/10th that good!)

Last year Global Exchange’s Kirsten Moller was the What About Peace? grand judge and shared her reflections in this blog post about the contest winner.

A great way to get a feel for the contest is to check out previous year winners, so here are some:

2011 What About Peace Winners

2010 What About Peace Winners

2009 What About Peace Winners

WHERE DO YOU COME IN?

If you know youth between 14 – 20, please encourage them to enter this special contest. An easy way to spread the word is to download the flyer and hand out to teachers and others who work with youth ages 14-20. (That’s what I did; I gave one to my sister who is a high school history teacher, and she passed it on to a colleague who teaches art at the same school.)

Download contest flyer to share with teachers here.

Download entry form here.

WHAT ABOUT PEACE? RULES N SUCH:

• You must be between 14 and 20 years of age to participate.
• One entry per person…One person per entry.
• Entries won’t be returned. What About Peace? has the right to use any and all entries on our website, in displays, and in publicity for the contest. Copyright belongs to the entrant.
• Be sure that you and your teacher/sponsor understand our stance on copying and plagiarism.  They are not allowed.
• Send your entry and the form to What About Peace ? at 2017 Mission Street, 2nd floor, San Francisco, CA 94110;  All entries must be received in our office on or before February 15th, 2012.

WHAT ABOUT PEACE? WINNER DETAILS:

• The sponsor/teacher of each winner will be notified of their winner(s) by US Mail.
• All winning entries will be posted on our website, www.whataboutpeace.org on April 20th, 2012.
• Sponsors/teachers will present What About Peace? awards in our name.
• All winning entries will be posted on our website on April 20th, 2012.

TWO CONTESTS ARE BETTER THAN ONE!

I got a call the other day from a guy named Ian. He told me about another contest aimed at youth called the Eco-Hero Awards which is happening around the same time as the What About Peace contest. I figured 2 ways for youth to get involved in making the world a better place are better than one, so here’s more about the Eco-Hero Awards from Program Coordinator Action for Nature Ian:

Every year Action For Nature sponsors the Eco-Hero Awards, which recognize accomplishments of young people (ages 8 – 16) whose personal projects have significantly improved the environment. The young people who contribute their stories, pictures, insights, and achievements are at the heart of what Action For Nature stands for. The Eco-Hero Awards give young people both the motivation and the means to continue creating positive change for the natural world.

Award recipients receive up to $500 cash, an award certificate, and other forms of recognition. The application deadline is January 15, 2012. Visit their website for application requirements or contact ian@actionfornature.org for more.

WHAT ABOUT PEACE? DOWNLOADS & ACTIONS

Please help us spread the word about the What About Peace? contest. Here are some resources to help you:

• Download entry form here
• Download contest flyer
• Visit www.whataboutpeace.org for more info
• Share & Retweet this blog post (use buttons on top right of post)
• “Like” What About Peace on Facebook

As Whitney Houston sang back in the 80s: “I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way.” Watch for yourself if you really want to cheese out on nostalgia!