JOHOR BAHRU – A wave of creativity swept through the Sultan Ismail Library as more than 75 young artists gathered for the 7th International Loving Peace Art Competition (ILPAC), turning a quiet Saturday into a vibrant celebration of hope, harmony, and youth-driven change.
Organised by the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) Malaysia, the annual competition invited students aged 7 to 18 from over 20 schools across Johor, including children with special needs, to visually express their visions of peace under the timely theme, “What Can We Do to Achieve Peace?”
Each canvas became a conversation, every colour was a call for unity.
Graced by Madam Fadzlina binti Abdul Malek, Director of the Community Development Department at the Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB), and Y.M. Tengku Tarmizi bin Tengku Aziz, Librarian of Sultan Ismail Library, the event showcased strong institutional support for youth empowerment and peace-building in the community.
Two standout winners emerged with powerful and thought-provoking artworks that earned them top spots in their respective age categories. Nur Ayra Binti Ahmad Nizam from Sekolah Seni Malaysia Johor claimed victory in Category 3 (ages 13–15), while Tan Wei Hoo of SMK Dato Penggawa Timur triumphed in Category 4 (ages 16–18).
Their winning pieces will now journey far beyond Johor, heading to IWPG’s global headquarters in South Korea to compete with entries from over 100 countries for prizes exceeding RM1,000. If selected, their works may be featured in international exhibitions and publications as part of IWPG’s global peace advocacy campaigns.
While addressing the attendees, IWPG Malaysia Branch Manager Madam Saroja A. Ramiah emphasised the importance of shaping young minds through initiatives like ILPAC.
“Instilling the value of peace at a tender age is the key to being united to truly achieve world peace,” she said.
For 18-year-old winner Tan Wei Hoo, the competition was more than an artistic challenge; it was a personal commitment.
“I aspire to be a positive peace messenger by being a motivator and spreading peace throughout my surroundings,” he shared, his eyes reflecting the quiet confidence of a young changemaker.
The event was supported by MBJB, Hanan Education, Sultan Aminah Hospital’s Occupational Therapy Unit, and Yayasan Kebajikan Suria, representing a broader community commitment to peace education.
Since its inception, ILPAC has evolved into a global platform that connects young minds through the universal language of art. Winning pieces from around the world often serve as the visual voice of the IWPG’s peace education campaigns, symbolising the collective dreams of a generation yearning for a better world.
As the children left the library with coloured fingers and hope-filled hearts, the message was clear: peace may begin as a drawing, but its power lies in those bold enough to imagine it and brave enough to share it. -MalayaDailyToday
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