What Does Peace
Mean to You?
Your Voice Matters. Your Vision Counts. Your Time is Now.
Calling all creative minds under 30 ready to change the world.
What’s this all about?
What does peace mean to you? This is YOUR chance to show the world. We’re bringing together young voices from every corner of the planet to share visions for the future we actually want to live in.
Through your art, music, videos, poetry, words, or performance—YOU can spark real change. Your message could reach global stages like the
Sound of Peace Concert and the UN Climate COP30.
This isn’t just another contest. This is your moment to be heard, be seen, and help build the momentum for peace, health, and justice that our generations demand.
Who’s this for?
You. If you’re under 30 and breathing, you’re in.
Doesn’t matter where you’re from, what you’ve done, or what language you speak. Solo artist? Great. Got a crew? Bring them. Never made art before? Perfect timing to start. All you need is something to say about peace and a creative way to say it.
What can you create?
Send your original work in any of these formats:
• Visual artwork – posters, drawings, designs that hit different
• Music – your original beats, songs, or collab through Audiotool
• Short films – max 5 minutes of pure vision
• Poetry/spoken word/text – words that move mountains
• Performance/theater – document your live action
• Open format – mix it up, break the rules
Just include:
- A short description (500 characters max)
- One image or video link
- Your permission to share your genius with the world
Why
• Get your voice on global stages – we’re talking real impact
• Score a spot at the Sound of Peace Concert (Sept 21) and/or COP30 (Nov 2025, Brazil)
• Join a worldwide youth movement that’s actually doing something
• Get mentored by people who’ve been there, done that
• Feature in our digital gallery and global social campaigns
• Unlock new income opportunities through Social Art Editions
Timeline – Mark these dates
|
What’s happening |
When |
The deal |
|
Open Call for Partners |
Aug 12, 2025 |
Submit via form at the bottom of this website |
|
Open Call for Entries |
Sept 21 – Oct 19, 2025 |
Submissions via landing page form; music, visual art, poetry/spoken word, multimedia |
|
Online Gallery Launch |
Oct 20 2025 |
Eligible entries published; rolling updates by category/artform |
|
Public Voting |
Oct 20–27, 2025 |
Global audience helps select wildcard entries for Jury Round 1 (across categories) |
|
Jury Round 1 (by Artform) |
Oct 27–30, 2025 |
Specialized juries (music, art, spoken word) select works for COP30 and Peace Concert longlist |
|
Winners Announcement (Top 10) – Virtual Award Ceremony @ COP30 |
Nov 10–21, 2025 |
Hosted during COP30 in Belém; finalists announced, artists presented, COP30 delegation introduced |
|
Partner Matchmaking |
Nov 30, 2025 |
Finalists paired with partner orgs for mentorship and collaboration |
|
Hackathon / Creative Lab |
Dec 2025 |
Selected youth work with mentors to refine pieces for Peace Concert stage or screen |
|
Jury Round 2 (Performance Selection) |
Mar–Apr 2026 |
Cross-artform jury finalizes which works will be performed or shown at the Peace Concert |
|
Peace Concert – Sound of Peace |
May 24, 2026 |
Selected youth present live or virtually; works integrated into stage program |
|
Continued Gallery + Activation |
May–Dec 2026 |
Public access to works, follow-up activations, partner collaborations |
|
What’s happening |
When |
The deal |
|
Open Call for Partners |
Aug 12, 2025 |
Submit via form at the bottom of this website |
|
Open Call for Entries |
Sept 21 – Oct 19, 2025 |
Submissions via landing page form; music, visual art, poetry/spoken word, multimedia |
|
Online Gallery Launch |
Oct 20 2025 |
Eligible entries published; rolling updates by category/artform |
|
Public Voting |
Oct 20–27, 2025 |
Global audience helps select wildcard entries for Jury Round 1 (across categories) |
|
Jury Round 1 (by Artform) |
Oct 27–30, 2025 |
Specialized juries (music, art, spoken word) select works for COP30 and Peace Concert longlist |
|
Winners Announcement (Top 10) – Virtual Award Ceremony @ COP30 |
Nov 10–21, 2025 |
Hosted during COP30 in Belém; finalists announced, artists presented, COP30 delegation introduced |
|
Partner Matchmaking |
Nov 30, 2025 |
Finalists paired with partner orgs for mentorship and collaboration |
|
Hackathon / Creative Lab |
Dec 2025 |
Selected youth work with mentors to refine pieces for Peace Concert stage or screen |
|
Jury Round 2 (Performance Selection) |
Mar–Apr 2026 |
Cross-artform jury finalizes which works will be performed or shown at the Peace Concert |
|
Peace Concert – Sound of Peace |
May 24, 2026 |
Selected youth present live or virtually; works integrated into stage program |
|
Continued Gallery + Activation |
May–Dec 2026 |
Public access to works, follow-up activations, partner collaborations |
What happens after your hit submit?
Your work goes live in our online gallery (if it meets basic criteria)
The world votes public favorites become wildcards for the jury
International experts choose finalist for Peace Concert & COP30
Door open – mentoring, collabs, opportunities come knocking
Who’s behind this?
We’re the Alliance for Youth-Led Futures, and we’ve got your back with partners who actually get it:
• Catalyst Now: A global movement of more than 6000 social innovators around the world.
• Audiotool– 250,000 young music creators strong
• Youth4Planet– storytelling changemakers
• AIME– reimagining education
• IFAI Berlin– art meets innovation
• Rewired Earth– sustainable entrepreneurship
• WHO Youth Council– health advocacy powerhouse
…and more joining the movement
What’s in it for you?
Real talk – FAQ’s
• Do I need to be a «real» artist?
Nope. You just need something to say and a creative way to say it.
• Who can really join?
If you’re under 30 and give a damn about peace, health, and justice—whether in your neighborhood or across the planet—this is for you. Artist, activist, dreamer, healer, storyteller, or just someone with ideas? You belong here.
• Does it cost anything?
Zero. Zilch. Free.
• What language works?
Any language you speak. Just throw in a short English summary if you can.
• My internet sucks. Can I still submit?
We’ve got you. Mobile-friendly forms, working with local partners for offline access. We’ll make it work.
• Can my crew and I submit together?
Absolutely. Squad goals welcome.
• Will everyone see my work?
If it meets basic criteria, it goes in the gallery. From there, the sky’s the limit.
Gallery Contest
Earth Canvas by Sanniya Adnan
Éco Makala by Baharanyi Benjamin
Imprints by Magdalena Pawluk
A Canvas for the Blue Rebirth by Julio Hernández
The Catch: Reflection of a Dying Ocean by Ciccolianna
What we’re at looking for?
Your submission needs to:
Be created by someone under 30 (that’s you)
Connect to «Peace & Health for All» – however that looks to you:
- Physical health
- Mental wellness
- Environmental justice
- Peace in your community or the world
Include a short statement(500 characters max) – tell us why this matters to you
Include one creative piece:
- Visual art/design
- Short film/video
- Music/spoken word (link + cover image)
- Photo of performance/social action
- Written poem/story
Bonus points: If the WHO Youth Declaration or AIME’s Imagination Declaration inspired you, let us know how.
The jury
Dr. Jennifer Halton
Jennifer is the Director of Internationalisation at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts at Edith Cowan University in Western Australia. She holds a PhD in Cultural Musicology, focusing on music and visual culture in early modern Europe. Specifically, her research examines the cultural politics and performativity of Renaissance festivals. Currently, her work explores the liminality and intersectionality of art, research, and social innovation. She is the Founder and Creative Director of The Metamorphosis Project: Art as Research, Research as Art. This initiative seeks to break down research siloes and examine the impact of multi-sectoral collaboration across academia, industry, and the arts. In November 2024, Metamorphosis published its inaugural journal, marking a milestone in its mission. Additionally, Jennifer serves on the Board of Directors for Regional Arts Western Australia and the Centre for Entrepreneurial Research and Innovation. Through these roles, she continues to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and champion the integration of creative and academic practices.
Bonface Beti
Bonface is a visionary African storyteller and international multidisciplinary artist who bridges indigenous wisdom, theatre, and social transformation. Rooted in the rich traditions of African storytelling, his work merges performance, participatory art, and healing-centered approaches to reimagine pathways for peace and systemic change. Driven by a deep belief in the power of imagination to reshape realities, Bonface founded Mama Afrika Theatre Lab for Peace and Imaginable Futures—a creative space where artistic expression becomes a catalyst for rethinking global challenges. His practice engages communities in co-creating narratives that foster dialogue, resilience, and new possibilities for regenerative futures. With an MA in Peacebuilding from the University of Manitoba, Canada, and currently pursuing a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies, Bonface merges artistic practice with research, exploring how social art can disrupt entrenched power structures, inspire collective healing, and ignite action. Through his work, he invites artists, changemakers, and communities to dream boldly and reimagine the futures we need.
Ifigeneia Giannoukakou-Leontsini
Ifi is an oceanographer and creative researcher at the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC). Specializing in participatory art-science facilitation and ocean literacy, she fosters dialogue and co-creates new narratives about the ocean. With a master’s in Water and Coastal Management, she has worked across five countries in diverse roles. Her experience spans coastal management, marine cartography, and environmental assessments of offshore wind farms and submarine cables. A lifelong water enthusiast, Ifi has been a competitive swimmer, skipper, water chemist, and photographer. She seamlessly blends scientific expertise with artistic expression to deepen connections between people and marine ecosystems. Fluent in multiple languages, she navigates different cultures as effortlessly as she navigates the sea. At ICM-CSIC, she brings all these elements together—exploring where art and science merge to inspire new ways of understanding and protecting our oceans.
Eulalia Domanowska
Eulalia is a Polish art critic, curator, and expert in contemporary and public art. A member of AICA (International Association of Art Critics), she has curated over 100 exhibitions across Poland and Europe, including a major exhibition of Magdalena Abakanowicz. Since 2022, she has served as Director of the State Art Gallery in Sopot.Previously, she led the Polish Sculpture Center in Orońsko (2015–2019), where she worked on exhibitions featuring renowned artists such as Tony Cragg and Henry Moore. In addition to her curatorial work, she has been a dedicated researcher and lecturer in art history. With a deep interest in the intersection of art, environment, and public space, she explores how artistic expression can reshape landscapes and challenge narratives. Her work emphasizes the power of creativity to foster dialogue, inspire new perspectives, and contribute to collective well-being.
Dr. Derek Woodgate
Derek is a worldknown futurist, educator, and speaker specializing in experimental futures and transformative education. As President of The Futures Lab, Inc., he has advised over 170 corporations, governments, and institutions worldwide, shaping long-term strategies. In addition to his consultancy work, he teaches at universities in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the USA. He also actively supports futures education initiatives across Africa, fostering new approaches to learning. His work explores the fusion of multimedia, progressive culture, and emerging technologies to create more inclusive and regenerative futures. Throughout his career, he has led cultural innovation initiatives, founding Fringecore and Plutopia Productions, both known for pioneering projects. Notably, Plutopia Productions launched the SXSW “Living the Future” events, blending art, technology, and speculative thinking. Currently, his FutureXperience Lab continues to push the boundaries of multimedia-driven futures exploration. Furthermore, he is the author of Future Frequencies, The Augmented Learner, and Future Flow. His upcoming book, Future Rhythms, is set for publication in 2025.
Dr. Brigitte Mohn
Brigitte has been a member of the Executive Board of the Bertelsmann Stiftung since 2005. She is currently responsible for the programs “The Common Good”, the “Center for Sustainable Communities”, “Health”, and “Digitalization”. During her tenure, she initiated the founding of the non-profit consulting company PHINEO, and the patient portals “Weisse Liste” and “ZiviZ – Zivilgesellschaft in Zahlen”. Internationally, Brigitte has contributed significantly to the discourse on impact investing. From 2001 to 2014, she served as Chair of the German Stroke Foundation’s Executive Board. Afterward, she assumed the Chair of the Board of Trustees. She is also a member of the Supervisory Board of Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA and Bertelsmann Management SE. Additionally, she serves as a member of the Bertelsmann Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH. Beyond these roles, Brigitte has her own investment vehicle that supports startups aligned with the SDGs.
Fran Erazo
Fran Erazo is the co-founder of Culturans, a Mexico City–based NGO that integrates art, culture, and social innovation. His work focuses on creating sustainable cities and fostering futures rooted in humanity. With a background in art, architecture, philosophy, and urbanism, he promotes art as a tool for social change. For over a decade, he has actively engaged citizens in transforming their communities through creative interventions. He has also built global partnerships that connect public, private, and civil society sectors. By fostering collaboration, he helps drive environmental innovation and community-led development. His approach highlights creativity’s role in reimagining urban spaces and strengthening social resilience.
Huijun Zhung
Huijun is a strategic communicator and environmental advocate who integrates storytelling, diplomacy, and policy to inspire collective action for sustainable futures. With over 15 years of experience in international public relations, she has led communications strategies focused on climate change, biodiversity, and sustainable development. Through her work, she bridges voices across sectors and cultures, fostering meaningful collaboration. Her career includes key roles at the EU Policy and Outreach Partnership in China, the China Entrepreneur Club, and the EU-China Environment Governance Programme. In these positions, she has played a vital role in promoting cross-cultural dialogue and advancing environmental initiatives. Passionate about the transformative power of art, media, and diplomacy, Huijun works to amplify the narratives that drive real change. She believes that by reshaping planetary narratives, we can inspire more inclusive, sustainable, and regenerative futures.
Gerrit Jan van’t Veen
Gerrit Jan is a reknown mentor, strategist, and connector of ideas and people. As a fellow at We Are Changemakers, a global incubator for social and impact-driven entrepreneurs, he leads international expansion and mentoring efforts. With his boutique agency, What Would The Birds Say, he is curating a new conference set for March 2026 in Europe—an event designed to bring together artists, collectives, and labs to explore pathways toward a future worth arriving at. Gerrit Jan thrives on flow, energy, and thoughtful provocation. He is a big- picture thinker, exceptional at strategy, and prefers to leave the details to those who love them. Music scores his daily work, setting the rhythm for creativity, collaboration, and impact.
Jan Hurwitch
Jan is the President of the Visionary Ethics Foundation (VEF) in Costa Rica. With extensive experience across Latin America and the Caribbean, Jan has led initiatives that empower communities, foster sustainability, and drive systemic change. She has held key roles at the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA/OAS) and served as Country Representative in Jamaica and Haiti, where she developed programs in microenterprise, women’s empowerment, and conflict resolution. Her work integrates cultural dialogue and indigenous knowledge, reinforcing her commitment to ethical and regenerative futures. She believes that conscious evolution and ethical leadership are essential for sustainable governance and inclusive societies built on cooperation and compassion. Having grown up across multiple continents, she developed a deep appreciation for diverse cultural perspectives. Her career later took her to Haiti and Costa Rica, where she expanded her impact. Dedicated to building bridges between cultures and ideas, Jan continues to foster meaningful collaboration for a more just and sustainable world where our human rights and Nature’s rights are the number one priority.
Johan van den Berg
Johan is a passionate advocate for renewable energy and climate justice, working at the intersection of policy, finance, and sustainable transformation. As the outgoing Head of Secretariat for the Africa-EU Energy Partnership (GET.pro) in Bonn, he collaborates with global partners to advance Africa’s just energy transition. His work focuses on fostering international cooperation to drive sustainable energy solutions across the continent. Previously, he served as CEO of the South African Wind Energy Association and Chair of the South African Renewable Energy Council. In these roles, he played a key part in shaping policy and investment strategies for sustainable power solutions. With over 20 years of experience in energy and climate protection, Johan is also an internationally accredited mediator. He is dedicated to fostering collaborative, cross-sector solutions that contribute to regenerative futures. In recognition of his impact, he was awarded the 2015 Global Sustainable Leadership Award by the World CSR Congress in Mumbai, India.
Maggie Greyson
Maggie is a globally recognized futurist and designer celebrated for her award- winning contributions in both fields. As Chief Futurist and CEO of Futures Present, she helps organizations and individuals envision futures, thereby enabling them to make informed decisions in the present. In addition to her work in strategic foresight, Maggie is deeply passionate about empowering museums and guiding the public to embrace complexity through futures work. Her dedication to education and research is further reflected in her current pursuit of a SMARTlab practice-based PhD in Architecture and Design Research at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. Furthermore, she actively shares her expertise by lecturing at post-graduate institutions worldwide, fostering a global dialogue on futures thinking and innovation.
Dr. R.M. Sánchez-Camus
Marcelo’s research and practice unfold in two strands: participatory governance and cultural democracy. His focus is on working collaboratively with communities, sector support, research, and organisational strategy to help improve participatory practice. He is the Director of Applied Live Art Studio, a social practice art studio. His exhibition From Birth till Death: Scrolled Life Stories was nominated for Museum + Heritage Awards, Exhibition of the Year 2021. From this experience he published Community Engagement as Museum Exhibition in Engage: The International Journal of Visual Art and Gallery Education, Issue 45 on Class and Inequality (2021). His studio work can be found in the permanent collection of the London Museum. He created and delivers the Central Saint Martin College of Art & Design Short Course: Creative Health & Wellbeing through Artmaking since 2019. Marcelo has co-founded various mutual aid groups and networks internationally and delivers consultancy around organisational leadership and development in the cultural sector as well as professional coaching and mentoring.
Nicole Loeser
Nicole is the Board Director at the Institute for Art and Innovation, and a seasoned manager in art, science, and innovation. With over 20 years of global experience, she specializes in inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration. Throughout her career, she has consistently bridged artistic research, social innovation, and sustainable practices.. Her leadership in water-related initiatives—such as The Universal Sea, Ocean Future Lab, and Sustainable Coastal Futures—highlights her dedication to environmental regeneration through art. In recognition of her efforts, she received the German Award for Sustainability Projects in 2024 for her work with the Art For Futures Lab.. Recently, she co-founded The Futuring Alliance to drive transformative innovation. Additionally, she is pursuing a PhD at Film University Babelsberg, researching Social Art for Transformation. Previously, her WHITECONCEPTS Gallery, active for more than a decade, served as a vibrant space for interdisciplinary dialogue and experimental art practice.
