24 Children From Around the World Named as Finalists in Lions International Peace Poster Contest

News release by Lions International

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Oak Brook, Ill. | March 07, 2024 01:07 PM Eastern Standard Time

Fanjin Si an 11-year-old girl from the Weiyang District of China, draws a clear image of peace. Si recently brought that vision to life through her artwork, earning her the grand prize in the Lions International Peace Poster Contest.

Si was one of 600,000 participants worldwide in the annual Peace Poster Contest sponsored by local Lions clubs, which gives young people aged 11-13 an opportunity to share their vision of world peace through art.

“Peace is not just about ending wars; it requires each of us to live with kindness, to solve problems, and to influence those around us with our positive actions,” said Si. “I think the Peace Poster Contest can be used to publicize the idea of peace through drawing and planting the seeds of peace in the hearts of children all over the world.”

The winning poster was selected for its originality, artistic merit and portrayal of the contest theme, “Dare to Dream.” The Shaanxi Datang Lions Club sponsored the local contest that gave Si the opportunity to participate in this global event and share her vision with the world.

“In this painting, I used the head of a young man as a carrier and the vastness of space as a metaphor for dreams,” added Si. “It means that we young people should use knowledge and the desire for peace to bravely explore the universe and realize our dreams.”

As the contest winner, Si will receive a US$5,000 cash prize, an award and an invitation to attend a major Lions International event as a VIP. The young artist is also sharing in the celebration with 23 merit winners from around the world. All merit winners receive a US$500 cash prize for their winning artwork.

The 2023-2024 Lions International Peace Poster merit winners are:

Ruth Émalin Ladino Clavijo,13 years old, Santa Marto Simon Bolivar Lions Club, Colombia

Yingxiaoai Qian,13 years old, Harbin Ailifang Lions Club, China

Shangshu Tong, 13 years old, Dalian Delong Lions Club, China

Ziying Wang, 13 years old, Hainan Qiongzhou Lions Club, China

Yuxin Xu, 12 years old, Guangdong Shanxin Lions Club, China

Xinyu Zhao, 12 years old, Zhejiang Longxingzhe Lions Club, China

Yuejun Zhao, 12 years old, Jiangsu Lanjing Lions Club, China

Yu-Fei Yang, 12 years old, Teipei Jenai Lions Club, China Taiwan

Ling Cheng, 13 years old, Kaoshing Spring Autumn Pavilion Lions Club, China Taiwan

Gertrud Kivisto, 13 years old, Parnu Koidula Lions Club, Estonia

V. Smirithi, 12 years old, Tuticorin Perfect Kings Lions Club, India

Tori Ikebe, 12 years old, Higashiosaka Daitonawate Lions Club, Japan

Sunwoo Lim, 13 years old, Seoul Naksungdae Lions Club, Korea

Alexandrea Jong Shiow Xuan, 12 years old, Sibu City Lions Club, Malaysia

Sofia Litvinova, 13 years old, Karori Lions Club, New Zealand

Valeria Choque Quilca, 13 years old, Juliaca Perla del Aetiplano Lions Club, Peru

Lezé Calitz, 12 years old, Durbanville Lions Club, South Africa

W A Nethuka Hasarel Pervera, 13 years old, Maradagahamula Divulapitiya 2nd Century Lions Club, Sri Lanka

Samara Saroop, 12 years old, San Fernando Les Efforts Lions Club, Trinidad & Tobago

Maria Travisano, 13 years old, Bonita Springs Lions Club, USA

Caileigh-Marie Smith, 13 years old, Pooler Lions Club, USA

Ava Simone Durden, 12 years old, Nashua Lions Club, USA

Felicity Petry, 12 years old, Pine Bluffs Lions Club, USA

“The Lions International Peace Poster Contest provides young people around the world a blank canvas to fill with hopes and dreams of harmony for humanity,” said Lions International President Dr. Patti Hill. “With open hearts and curious minds, these talented artists are changing the world one brush stroke at a time.”

About Lions International

Lions International is the largest service club organization in the world. More than 1.4 million members in over 49,000 clubs are serving in 200 countries and geographic areas around the globe. Since 1917, Lions have strengthened local communities through hands-on service and humanitarian projects, and we extend our service impact through the generous support of our Lions Clubs International Foundation. We are focused on supporting vision, the environment, childhood cancer, hunger, diabetes and other pressing humanitarian needs to help address some of the biggest challenges facing humanity. For more information about Lions International, visit lionsclubs.org.