Children Key Partners In Building Peace - UNICEF Representative

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 21 (Bernama) -- Children must be recognised as partners in creating a peaceful world, as their voices and imagination reveal that peace is not only about ending wars but also about friendship, respect and celebrating differences.

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Representative to Malaysia Robert Gass said that young people are capable of offering powerful lessons through their creativity, reminding adults that peace can be found in simple acts such as kindness, listening and caring for the Earth.

“You see, adults often make peace sound complicated, but these children remind us that peace is simple. We want every child, everywhere, to grow up safe, healthy, and happy. And we cannot build that future for them, we must make it with them.

“Their voices, their ideas, and even their brushstrokes, teach us what kind of world they want and from what I see today, it is a world of colour, compassion, and possibility,” he said in his opening remarks at the launch of the ‘Ta-Da! Look at My Lines! Children’s Peace Art Exhibition 2025’ here today.

Organised by Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM), the exhibition runs until Oct 12 at Wisma Kebudayaan SGM, in conjunction with Peace Month and the United Nations International Day of Peace on Sept 21.

The exhibition will showcase 150 works by children aged four to 15 from nine associations and institutions.

They include Jane Yap Atelier, Madrasah Darul Muttaqin Maa’ Tahfizul Quran Rohingya, National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) Teluk Pulai Klang, NATIarts Global, TopArt School of Art, WE & I Art, SGM Junior Division, Soka International School Malaysia (SISM) and Tadika Seri Soka (TSS).

Meanwhile, SGM president Johnny Ng Teck Sim said the exhibition is not only a showcase of children’s artistic talents but also a recognition of them as equal partners in fostering peace.

“For us adults, peace is often discussed in the context of politics, international relations, or societal issues. Yet for children, peace resides in the small yet profound experiences of daily life like a safe space at home, laughter with friends, the joy of learning, or the kindness of others,” he said in his welcoming remarks.

Ng added that the exhibition reflects the spirit of Soka Gakkai International President Daisaku Ikeda’s belief that “children are messengers from the future” and that every child carries a unique and important mission.

--BERNAMA