Harmony in Humanity: Matthew’s Vision of Peace

The Lions International Peace Poster Contest has, for nearly four decades, invited young people aged 11 to 13 to express what peace means to them through art. The 2026–2027 theme, “Harmony in Humanity”, encourages participants to imagine a world in which people of different cultures and backgrounds live together peacefully, celebrating differences while finding common ground. Fong Jin En, Matthew placed 15th out of 183 entries in Singapore. In this reflection, he shares the inspiration and symbolism behind his artwork.

Written by: Fong Jin En, Matthew (1i1, 2026)

My inspiration for this artwork came from the idea that despite our differences in culture, race, religion and background, we are all part of one humanity and share the same world.

I wanted to create a piece that shows how people from different parts of the world can come together in peace and harmony, just like different musical instruments coming together to create a beautiful melody.

I began by thinking about how music is a universal language that connects people regardless of where they come from. This led me to include people playing different traditional instruments in my artwork. Each musician represents a different culture and background, showing that everyone has something unique to contribute to society.

At the centre of the artwork, I placed a large Earth to symbolise how we all share one home and have a shared responsibility to protect it. I also included a large white dove flying above the Earth, as doves are commonly recognised as symbols of peace, hope and freedom.

The musical notes flowing across the artwork represent the power of music to bring people together, spreading positivity and understanding throughout the world.

I chose to use a variety of colours, such as blue and green for the Earth, to represent life, nature and unity. The darker sky surrounding these brighter elements creates a contrast, showing that even in a world filled with conflict and differences, peace and harmony can still shine through.

As I developed my composition, I wanted the different elements to connect and flow into one another rather than appear as separate objects. This reflects the idea that everyone is interconnected.

Ultimately, I hope my artwork communicates the message that humanity does not need to be the same to live in harmony. Instead, our differences should be celebrated, just like the different notes in a piece of music.