Peace is often discussed in conferences, policy debates and diplomatic dialogues. Yet some of the most powerful expressions of peace emerge not through speeches but through creativity. Art has long served as a universal language that transcends age, culture and barriers of communication. Recognizing this, Global Peace Chain (GPC) introduced a transformative initiative—Peace by Visual Arts—a movement that invites children, youth and communities to express their understanding of peace through creativity rather than words.
This initiative became more than an artistic exercise; it evolved into a meaningful advocacy journey involving civil society youth and children aged 3 to 18. With the consent and encouragement of parents, participants were invited to reflect on a simple but profound question: What does peace mean to you?
For many children, especially the youngest participants, expressing complex ideas through dialogue can be challenging. Visual arts and drama therefore became powerful alternatives—tools that allowed them to communicate emotions, ideas and values through imagination and creativity.
As the renowned artist Pablo Picasso once said:
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”
The Peace by Visual Arts initiative allowed children to do exactly that—express their vision of a peaceful world through art.
The youngest participants—toddlers—demonstrated that peace can be understood even before it is articulated through language. Using bright colours, simple drawings and natural materials, they created images that represented happiness, calmness and safety.
Many of their artworks reflected nature—trees, sunshine, rivers and flowers. Some children creatively used sticks and leaves, turning their surroundings into artistic tools. For them, peace existed in the harmony between humans and the environment.
Their choice of colours was equally meaningful. Blues represented calmness, greens symbolized nature and growth, while bright yellows illustrated warmth and happiness. Even at such a young age, the children showed how deeply emotions can be connected to visual expression.
Research supports this powerful connection between creativity and emotional development. According to a UNESCO report on arts education, students who engage in artistic activities demonstrate up to 20% higher emotional awareness and empathy levels compared to those who do not participate in creative learning environments. Such findings highlight the importance of art as a tool for nurturing peaceful and emotionally intelligent communities.
