Friendship Force International/International Paint Pals Save `Children’s Art for Peace’ Project

ATLANTA - Nov. 4, 2015 - PRLog -- Proving that global friendship can make a positive contribution towards international understanding, a mission that Friendship Force International (FFI) (http://www.friendshipforce.org/) and International Paint Pals (IPP) pledged to uphold when they merged in late 2013, today they are announcing they have successfully saved one of the world’s largest children’s peace art projects and are looking forward to its debut exhibition at the 15^th annual `World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates’ in Barcelona, Spain, November 13-15, 2015.

After the summit was cancelled from its original location in Atlanta, Georgia, the partners – along with MEADOWS in Beirut, Lebanon and the Institute for Cultural Programs in St. Petersburg, Russia - leapt to the challenge of finding a new home for this extraordinary display of children’s peace art.

“We felt after all the work the children had put into expressing their `Dream of Peace’, that we had to support them in having a voice in the global discussion,” says Joy DiBenedetto, President/CEO of FFI. “When the World Summit of Nobel Laureates announced a rescheduled summit in Barcelona, we knew we had our platform and it couldn’t be a better one for the hopes of children everywhere.”

For almost two years the combined groups have been gathering thousands of art works and peace pledges from children ages 2-19 in more than 90 countries around the world.  In addition to the actual exhibition that will be shown on the World Summit site during the conference itself, the group has also created a digital art installation, curated by FFI’s Communications Manager, Maggie Smith, which can be found on Flickr, at `My Dream of Peace (https://www.flickr.com/photos/friendshipforce/sets/721576...)’.

Linden Longino, founder of International Paint Pals, which has mounted dozens of global exhibitions with children’s peace art as its focus says, “Having been chosen by the World Summit to bring our display to Spain, there is no higher calling for us than to bring these kids’peace messages to the peacemakers themselves. We hope that by sharing this work with them, they will know their own legacy is in good hands and they are an inspiration for the next generation.”

All of the organizations involved with the project feel there is no time like the present to elevate children’s aspirations for peace in the world. With Malala Yousafzai having co-won the Nobel Peace prize last yearat the age of 17, along with Kailash Satyarthi, the time for inter-generational dialogue with leaders is now.

Says DiBenedetto, “We feel this is a message that requires the world’s attention, and that children are its most sympathetic and deserving advocates.” From here says Longino,“We will keep collecting art, and we will put it on a worldwide tour.  Several countries have already asked for it next year.”

The paintings themselves are so striking and moving, that once the exhibition in Barcelona is over, the partners have other global destinations such as Lebanon, Russia,Egypt, and Afghanistan lined up for its showing. “We hope,” says the team, “to bring our global message of friendship and collaboration through art to every point on Earth."

ABOUT FFI: FFI conducts more than 400 international home hospitality exchange programs every year, in 60+ countries. Since 1977, when US President Jimmy Carter introduced the Friendship Force at a White House gathering, 1 million people have participated in the organizations unique `citizen ambassador’ activities. FFI's efforts have been honored with a Nobel Peace Prize nomination in 1992.  Read more at www.friendshipforce.org.

ABOUT IPP: Formed in 1995, IPP provides a creative forum for young people to express personal views on global issues through the universal language of art. 200,000+ youth in 100 countries, on all 7 continents have participated.  Started by The Atlanta Project of The Carter Presidential Center, the network has included associates of The Prince of Wales Business Leaders Forum, The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Atlanta.  Exhibitions have been mounted for the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta, the Goodwill Games, and the Athens, Beijing, and Sochi Olympics and for 10 major United Nations international conferences. In 2001, IPP received a “Global Tolerance through the Arts Award” from the UN for successfully promoting communication, understanding, and friendship.

For more information contact:  Joy DiBenedetto, joy@thefriendshipforce.org, +(404) 558-0858; or Linden Longino, linden.longino@me.com.