The Big Draw: Doves of Peace to Rewrite the Future

"Today we have made doves together, doves for peace. Peace is very important for my country. During the crisis I could not go to school. I am just happy that I can go to school now because education is the key to peace and to the future. " Koné Rokia, 14, from Cote d'Ivoire.

Save the Children is collecting a flock of brightly-coloured doves for peace, each created by a child from around the world, and showing their view of peace. Save the Children plans to present the flock at the annual Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony in Oslo, Norway in December 2008.

 The first doves were created at a drawing workshop held in the UK as part of the 'The Big Draw' campaign. In October 2007, Save the Children in the UK launched a competition asking children as far as Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire and Pakistan draw what they liked best about school. After over a thousand submissions across the participating countries, the panel was faced with some tough decisions, but thirteen competition winners were selected.

On April 19, 2008 the winners from Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia and Pakistan made the long journey to particpate in a workshop with children from the UK. The workshop was led by famous British artist Ben Johnson, and was based on Rewrite the Future's theme of Education and Peace. The young artists were asked to draw the meaning of peace, onto their own paper peace doves. There was a great amount of enthusiasm from the children, and many used strong images and colours to express their thoughts and feelings on the importance of peace. Some used words for peace in different languages, including different scripts.

"I love drawing. I feel happy when I'm drawing. I have coloured in a dove. It's about peace- mine is about the land and the sea, they make me feel peaceful. Some children in other countries don't have peace. I wish all children around the world had peace and food and water. " Victoria, 9, from Dover, England

Following the workshop competition winners Naqsh Haider, 12 from Kashmir administered Pakistan, and Rokia, 14 from Cote d'Ivoire, went to the House of Commons to campaign for Education for All as part of the Global Campaign for Education's Week of Action.

The children were introduced to the All-Party Parliamentary Group meeting by Save the Children Education Project Officer Omenga Kormoh, from Kailahun, Sierra Leone., who outlined the major obstacles to accessing a quality education for children in countries affected by conflict and natural disasters. The meeting was an opportunity for MPs to hear how progress can be made on delivering Education for All (EFA) and learn more about the All Party Parliamentary Group on EFA.

Speaking from their own experiences, the young people told the MPs of the difficulties they or their peers have faced in trying to continue their education and improve its quality.

Koné Rokia outlined some obstacles to education for children in Cote d'Ivoire, including child labour and early marriages. She demanded training and awareness-raising on child rights for parents and communities in Cote d'Ivoire, so as to teach them the importance of respecting children's rights, including the right to education.

Naqsh Haider, 12, told MPs of the lack of education for children in Kashmir, Pakistan, following the earthquakes in October 2005.Her school collapsed during the earthquakes and she couldn't go to school for a year. Now that schools are being rebuilt, she emphasized the importance of child-friendly schools- where children want to go and learn and can feel safe. 

"These children are our future. In order to make your future brighter, you have to make their future brighter as well". Naqsh Haider, 12, from Pakistan, reminding the MPs not to forget about the children still out of school.

For more information on Rewrite the Future's global debate on education and peace click here