IWPG Peace Art Competition 2025: Bangladeshi Student Wins Grand Prize with Powerful ‘Cry for Peace’

When the world feels overwhelmed by conflict, sometimes the clearest cry for peace comes from the smallest hands. This year, a young student from Bangladesh touched hearts across the globe with a powerful painting that captures both the pain of war and the hope for peace. Her work rose above 15,932 entries from 40 countries, earning the Grand Prize at the 7th Peace Loving Art Competition hosted by the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG).

A Global Competition, a Universal Message

IWPG announced that Taspia Tashin, a student from Shanto-Mariam Academy of Creative Technology in Bangladesh, received the top honor for her piece titled “A Cry for Peace.”
Her artwork delivers an emotional plea for peace shared by countless children living in conflict zones.

In the painting, a child stands with eyes closed in prayer, surrounded by tanks, missiles, flames, and collapsed buildings. Barbed wire and outstretched hands reflect the suffering caused by war. Yet, symbols of hope—white doves, peaceful eyes, national flags, and the UN emblem—rise through the smoke. Repeated throughout the artwork is the handwritten word “Please”, a single word carrying the full weight of humanity’s longing for peace.

Tashin explained,

“If you look deeper, you can see a silent prayer for peace blooming in the middle of chaos. The child represents millions of children around the world longing for safety.”

She added that “Please” is a direct appeal to all of humanity to choose peace over despair.

Gold Prize Winners Share Their Own Vision of Peace

Four students from different countries earned Gold Prizes for their unique interpretations of peace:

• Indonesia – Kian Wiryadharma Yaphet (Primary Division)
  Depicted children of diverse cultures holding hands with a dove symbolizing peace.

• Indonesia – Severine Abigail Budiyanto (Secondary Division)
  Illustrated a “Tree of Peace” connecting all nations, expressing hope in youth cooperation.

• Philippines – Prince Alm V. Ican (High School Division)
  Highlighted unity through joined hands and a dove.

• Rwanda – Siubahiro Alain Prince (Youth Division)
  Showed that a simple handshake can build understanding and friendship.

Judges and IWPG Leaders Praise Youth Voices

Hwang Soon-kyu, President of the Korea Green Art Association and head judge, described the Grand Prize work as:

“A masterpiece born from pure desire for peace. Peace is life itself, and it must be taught to the younger generation.”

IWPG Chairwoman Nana Young Jeon praised the artists, saying:

“Children already understand that respect, love, and forgiveness are the answers to peace. These young artists are the true protagonists of peace.”

A Global Movement for Peace Through Art

The competition, held annually since 2018, encourages children and youth to express the value of peace through art.
This year’s theme was “How can we practice peace in our daily lives and make it real?”

• Total participants: 15,932

• Countries represented: 40

• Award categories: Grand Prize, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Special Mentions

• Total winners: 41

• Prize:

  • Grand Prize – ₩1,000,000

  • Gold Prize – ₩500,000 each

  • Silver/Bronze – ₩300,000 / ₩200,000

  • Merit Award – Certificate

The award ceremony was held online with over 1,000 attendees, including students, parents, and leaders from around the world. Winning works will also be published in an official art catalogue.

About IWPG

IWPG is a global women’s peace NGO registered with the UN ECOSOC and UN DGC, operating 115 branches across 122 countries. The organization works to promote a culture of peace, expand women’s peace education, and support the international adoption of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW).

The voices of these young artists remind the world of one powerful truth:
Peace begins with those who dare to imagine it—especially children.

Source: https://vo.la/Tm5QNaH