IN a bid to foster global understanding and promote peace, the Rotary Club of Stabroek joined hands with Nextech Incorporated to organise the 2024 Peace Poster Competition.

Held under the theme, “Imagine a World of Peace,” this annual event marked Rotary’s World Understanding Month, traditionally observed in February.

Rotary, founded on February 23, 1905, celebrated its 119th anniversary this year, with February 23 now designated as World Understanding and Peace Day, commemorating the inaugural Rotary meeting.

The competition, now in its 10th year, serves as a testament to Rotary’s commitment to fostering goodwill and peace among people worldwide.

Open to students aged 12-16, participants were tasked with visually interpreting the theme through artwork on a 30 cm x 40 cm canvas within a two-hour timeframe. Nextech’s showroom provided the backdrop for the live competition, with all necessary materials provided.

A panel of judges assessed the posters based on creativity, quality, artistic merit, expression of the theme, explanation of artwork, and presentation. The top three winners were awarded cash prizes of G$25,000, G$20,000, and G$15,000, respectively, to be utilised on a shopping spree at Nextech.

Emerging as the victors of the competition were Kadence Belony from St. Joseph High School, claiming the first prize, followed by Naeem Alli in second place and Sabastian Khan in third place.

CEO of Nextech, Rehman Majeed, expressed his satisfaction with the collaboration, emphasising its significance in promoting peace among children. He pledged continued support, envisioning this partnership as an annual tradition to reach more young minds.

President of the Rotary Club of Stabroek, Marva Benjamin, applauded the participants and encouraged them to embody the ideals of peace in their daily lives, urging them to leverage their imagination to interpret the theme effectively.

The 2024 Peace Poster Competition not only showcased the artistic talents of the youth but also underscored the importance of fostering a culture of peace and understanding in today’s world. Through such initiatives, the Rotary Club of Stabroek and Nextech Incorporated aim to inspire a brighter, more harmonious future for generations to come.