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Grounded in respect for cultural diversity and human rights, UNESCO promotes culture and arts education as a means to help foster critical thinking, creativity and a personal sense of belonging and mutual understanding.
In this context, the UNESCO Culture and Arts Education Week 2026 celebrates the power of this intersectionality. This year’s first edition focuses on the theme of “Culture and arts education for lasting peace”.
On this occasion, UNESCO invited learners between the ages of 6 and 14, from around the world, through its Associated Schools Network, to share their artworks on the theme “Art for Peace”. This photo essay showcases some of the creations that this initiative sparked, highlighting the learners’ different cultural contexts, personal creative expressions and their visions for the future.
The initiative was inspired by the principles of the UNESCO Framework for Culture and Arts Education which, among other things, seeks to promote education that equips learners with the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes to use art for promoting social change as a constructive force to enable freedom of expression and creation, active democratic participation, social responsibility, and collaboration.
Heart of peace (Argentina)
Valeria Gomez from the school Dr. Danilo Luis Baroni Tres Isletas in Argentina, wants to convey the message that peace begins within each and every one of us: “At the center of the drawing is a heart-shaped world, which symbolizes that our planet is home to us all and that we must care for it with love, respect and unity. The two hands holding the world symbolize that peace is in our hands. It is we, through school, family and society, who have the responsibility to build a better world. The doves represent peace, freedom and the hope that we can live together in harmony, respecting our differences. The flowers symbolize life, growth and the beauty of good values. Just as a flower needs water and care to grow, peace also needs respect, dialogue and empathy to be sustained. At school, peace is reflected when we treat each other well, listen to one another, resolve conflicts through conversation and work together.”
Road to peace (Bhutan)
The artwork by Ngawang Dorji Yangchen from Lhuentse HSS school in Bhutan, shows how we can build global peace together: “People praying and meditating near a garden symbolize that peace starts within ourselves. People are showing kindness and empathy in the form of helping elders and love for the earth to make the community strong and friendly. Youth are taking the lead role in building peace and mindful cities through teamwork. Praying, caring and leading shows that peace grows from the individual to communities and even the whole world.”
Peace through art (Croatia)
The painting “Peace through art” from the Kindergarten Skrinjica in Croatia is a collective artwork by children in the age range of 4 – 6. The painting was the final outcome of different activities around the proposed theme. The children chose to illustrate “children playing together around the world”, expressing their wish that all children can play freely, without conflict or violence. Their mutual collaboration supported their creativity, empathy and social skills. This helped them understand that peace is something they can actively create and contribute to in their daily interactions through respectful communication and cooperation with each other.
Prosperous peace for people (Cuba)
Valeria Borges Varona, from Escuela Especial para Ciegos y Débiles visuales Abel Santa Maria in Cuba, used her fingertips and typewriter to create an artwork in Braille to present her vision of peace, underlining that everyone can express their visions for a peaceful world and through art. “All people need peace to live in harmony and happiness. They also need cooperation and solidarity for peace to exist. People must prepare themselves to face all the problems of the world. They also need calmness and a desire for peace to be lasting. For this to happen, people of the world must look for alternatives to improve the quality of life of all people, and they must be united and supportive for all the conflicts that exist to end.”
Where the earth whispers peace (India)
Khushaagra Gupta, a student from Delhi Public School Vasant Vihar in India, is the artist of the artwork “Where the earth whispers peace” which connects all things: “I drew earth with animals and humans to show that all living beings should live in peace. We should love, help and protect each other. Peace makes our world happy and beautiful.”
Tree of Peace (Latvia)
The artwork “Tree of life” is an artwork by Fēbe Sandore from Rezeknes, Pamatskola, in Latvia. The artwork was created as part of an interdisciplinary approach: students were engaged in storytelling, reflections and discussions about their personal narratives and cultural identity. Fēbe Sandore depicted her home as it was before the war in Ukraine, surrounded by fresh air and nature, expressing hope and longing for peace: “The tree is blue, and yellow birds are sitting in it. I chose these colours because they remind me of the Ukrainian flag. The blue tree symbolizes home and a place where we belong, while the yellow birds represent people — free and hopeful. The birds sit in the tree because home is the place where everyone wants to return.”
A world in harmony (Mexico)
“A world in harmony” is an artwork by Leslie Carrasco Cabrera from Colegio Espana Sur in Mexico. In her own words: “It represents the importance of peace and harmony among people. The drawing features different colours and people coming together to show that, although we are all different, we can live together with respect and in harmony. The white dove symbolizes peace and the hope for a better world. The colours represent the diversity of cultures, ideas and ways of thinking that exist in our society. Peace does not mean that there are no problems, but rather that we learn to resolve them through dialogue, respect and understanding. Every person has an important role to play in building a fairer and more peaceful environment.”
The world through my eyes (Republic of Moldova)
Alisa Plugari, from Chisinau IPLT A. Puskin school in the Republic of Moldova, painted “The world through my eyes” with these reflections: “The word ‘world’ has two meanings: peace and the planet. Our world lacks peace. People are constantly fighting and destroying it. Everyone is always rushing somewhere; everybody is always late. They say the end of the world will come in a million years, but in reality, it may come as early as 2100. A world without people would be beautiful: colourful butterflies flying over a meadow. Humans destroy all of this. In general, the world through my eyes is not something exact. It is a dove with an olive branch, trees by a lake, and our planet itself. Many people in the world are kind, and that makes the world kinder. But there are also people who ruin it. We must save our planet.”
Building bridges, not walls (Nigeria)
Vincent Joy from Ifesowapo Aboru SNR Secondary School in Nigeria, shares the reflections behind his drawing: “Peaceful living is understanding that peace means recognizing it’s not just about not fighting. It’s about treating everyone with kindness and respect, even when you disagree. It means standing up for what’s right, like fairness and equality, and helping others feel safe and included. It’s about talking things out instead of getting angry. Bring unity to light. Peace is about building a world where everyone can feel happy and have a chance to succeed.”
Sri Lankan culture always guides to peace (Sri Lanka)
This painting is made by Dassanayake Mudiyanselage Radinu Lewanjith Dassanayake from Maliyadeva College in Sri Lanka: “Adam’s peak is a sacred mountain located in the middle of Sri Lanka. It has a sacred footprint revered by multiple religions. On this mountain, all religions seem to come together. The Buddhists believe Buddha’s first footstep was set here and for the Hindus, it was Hanuman or Shiva who stepped via this peak on earth. According to Islamic tradition that of Adam took his first footstep was set here, Christian tradition that of St. Thomas Apostle. During our journey, we share food, water and many things with everyone. We always help elders and children. Everyone helps each other to cure illnesses. It shows us how people can live together in peace, even if they follow different beliefs. Sri Lankan culture teaches and says to the world that we can build peace and live happily together in every hour without borders.”
Youth as conscious citizenship (Venezuela)
The drawing “Youth as conscious citizenship” was created by Santiago Medina, from UE Colegio Salesiano in Venezuela. “This drawing represents the union of elements related to how youth is the fundamental pillar of citizen change in this society that is built and rebuilt every day. Young people, through good morals, social and spiritual education, are responsible for opening the path toward the reality of peace, coexistence and sustainability, in which they can wisely integrate inclusion and critical thinking for constructive dialogue. Where ideas are built endlessly and collaboratively among peers for the recovery of a harmonious global society and citizenship, without distinction of race, gender or ideologies, the world can move toward true global citizenship.”
Peace and its symbols (Uruguay)
Israel Fagundez from the San Jose de la Providencia school in Uruguay, painted this artwork inspired by abstract art and the symbols of peace.
read more: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/how-culture-and-arts-education-shapes-global-citizenship?hub=701
