"Peace Begins With Me"
Speech by 2008-09 Grand Prize Winner Yennie Shyu
Lions Day with the United Nations
March 13, 2009

It’s a great honor to receive this award from one of the largest organizations in the world, Lions Clubs International. However, I am here today not only to receive the prize but also to take the opportunity to express my desire to deliver a message of peace.

 
When I found out that the Milpitas Executive Lions Club had launched this Peace Poster Contest, I was so excited because I really wanted to draw something meaningful, directed to my generation and related to my daily life.

I am from the Silicon Valley, San Jose, California, a place of super-high technology, where computers, Ipods and abundant electronic gadgets are ordinary sights. Children and adults alike can be seen emailing, texting, researching, chatting and exchanging pictures through computers and mobile phones. Computers and blackberries are regular fixtures at schools, libraries and homes. This environment gave me the idea that if we can communicate so much using technology, why can’t we send out messages of peace through the same medium? By doing so we can send more messages, reaching more people. That is why, in my poster, you will see children of different races and nationalities sending out messages of peace all over the world.

The problems we face today, like religious and political differences, destruction of nature, poverty, hunger and many others can be resolved through our collaborated effort to foster understanding, develop tolerance and create a sense of brotherhood among nations. Peace can begin with thoughts of harmony and can serve as a bridge or path to reach the hearts of everyone. Peace means taking care of ourselves, taking care of each other and taking care of the beautiful planet we live in. Peace must be the essence of our existence. My dearest wish is for all of us to live together in peace in this world.

I would like to thank Lions Clubs International and the United Nations for providing us, the youth, with the chance to express our thoughts about peace. I have learned a lot by participating in this contest. When I was creating this poster, I had the chance to talk to my family and friends about the meaning of peace and what we can do to promote it. I really hope that those children who see my poster will be inspired to help spread the spirit and let their “little fingers type big messages of peace.”

My parents and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Milpitas Executive Lions Club,
represented by their president, Joselito Abelardo, and their District 4-C6, represented by District Governor Marlene Duffin, for sponsoring me and accepting me as their contestant. My gratitude also goes to The International Association of Lions Clubs and its president, Al Brandel, and the United Nations for promoting the need and importance of the much needed peace in our lives.

Let the messages of peace fly around the world and may peace begin with you and me.

Thank you.

Yennie Shyu