Anja Rožen, a 13-year-old elementary school student from Slovenia is the winner of the international Lion’s Club Plakat miru, “Poster of Peace” contest, now in its thirty-fourth year. This year’s theme: "We are all connected."
Anja will receive $ 5,000 from the International Association of Lions Clubs.

The purpose of the global competition is to encourage children aged 11 to 13 to think about life, compassion, and peace. Anja’s representation was selected from 600,000 submissions from all over the world.  

Anja explains, "My poster represents the earth that connects and unites us. People stick to each other. If one person let go, the rest will fall. We are all connected to our planet and to each other, but unfortunately, we are little aware of it. Peace is very important. There is inner peace, which is the search for happiness and contentment, no matter how stressful your life is. Peace is also freedom from violence. When there is peace, nations and the entire planet can be stable and promote cultural growth. That's why I don't understand how wars can allow people to happen or what leads people so far," these thoughts from a 13-year-old.

The International Association of Lions Clubs, began in 1916 in Chicago, now headquartered in Oakbrook, Illinois, is the largest voluntary humanitarian organization in the world. The LIONS acronym stands for Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nations' Safety, their motto is “we serve.”

Life Lesson: Peace. "It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It menas to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart." anonymous 

“Let us… seek peace… near the inland murmur of streams, and the gracious waving of trees, the beauteous vesture of earth, and sublime pageantry of the skies.” —Mary Shelley

“The mind can go in a thousand directions, but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace. With each step, the wind blows. With each step, a flower blooms.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh