On the 13th, the International Women’s Peace Group, Global Region 2 (Regional Director Seo Yeon Lee) held the preliminary awards ceremony for the 6th International Loving Peace Art Competition at the Sea Cliff Hotel Bongoyo Conference Hall in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Approximately 3,000 Tanzanian children and adolescents participated in the preliminary round, drawing pictures on the theme of ‘A heart of peace conveyed to friends suffering from war.’
The awards ceremony was attended by over 100 guests and parents, and it proceeded with a viewing of the preliminary highlights video, the award presentation to the winners, and the delivery of certificates of appreciation. The awards were presented by George Magambo, a notary public from the Tanzania Ministry of Education who attended as the representative of the Director of Education, Dr Aneth A. Komba and Global Region Director Seo Yeon Lee.
The first-place winners in the elementary, middle, and high school categories were Hudairry Issa Mussa (Mchangani Primary School), Japhei Joseph (St. Dominic Savio School), Joshua Emmanuel Anthony (Jovin Junior Nursery Primary School), and Magera Emily (Seeke Secondary School). Their works will be sent to South Korea and compete in the finals against the best entries from around the world.
In addition, the special award from Fr. Aidan Paul Ulungi, the director of St. Dominic Savio Schools, was given to Sanchez Stephen and Daudi Francis (St. Dominic Savio School). The Vice-Chancellor’s Special Award from Prof. Pius Mgeni was awarded to Justin Mussa Pomo and Ashley J. Mwacha (St. Dominic Savio School). The special award from Alberto Gabriel Ndekwa, executive Secretary of Community Actions and Empowerment Tanzania, was given to Brian Ibrahim (St. Dominic Savio School), Esia James, Rebecca (Nyasubi Secondary School), Joshua Zakaria (Sombetini Primary School), Eunice Steven, Rahma Amani (Blessing Model School), Catherine Francis (Angelico Lipani School), Reginald Edward (Bishop Alpha Memorial High Secondary School), and Clinton Opesmo (Kidia Secondary School).
Attorney George Magambo said, “Through IWPG Loving Peace Art Competition, we learned that a peaceful heart without violence must be nurtured from a young age,” adding, “We need to educate children to maintain peace, solve problems, and cultivate patience for each other.”
Annagrace of UN Women Tanzania said, “I am honored to attend the preliminary awards ceremony,” and expressed her desire to “definitely attend and contribute to next year’s competition.”
Ndendekisye Mwayohojo, a student from Mikocheni Alfa High School who participated in the competition, said, “I drew a picture of doves, a symbol of peace, and hands holding each other to represent peace,” and added, “To spread peace in the world, I told my friends that we must participate again next year.”
International Loving Peace Art Competition, hosted by IWPG, is held annually as part of its efforts to spread a culture of peace, providing children and youth with an opportunity to imagine and depict a peaceful world. Through this competition, it seeks to raise awareness of the need to end global wars, spread the value of a culture of peace, and convey a message of peace. The competition is held each year in major cities around the world.
Meanwhile, IWPG is a global women’s NGO registered with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the Department of Global Communications (DGC), headquartered in South Korea, with over 110 branches and 660 partner organizations worldwide. With the vision of ‘Realizing Sustainable World Peace,’ it actively works to promote Solidarity The World Needs, Culture of Peace, Women’s Peace Education, and Enactment of Law and Institution that the peaceful world needs.
