New Delhi, 9th October 2026: Children, diplomats, educators and public leaders came together on Thursday for an international initiative Colors for Peace, a not-for-profit organization, involved with children across 135 countries and headquartered in Italy. The campaign aims to bring children’s creativity into the global conversation on peace, coexistence, and mutual understanding. The programme saw participation from around 700 students from schools across Delhi NCR and around 1500 across India, each invited to express their understanding of peace through drawings.
The initiative also extended beyond formal school networks, with children from street schools taking part, bringing together young voices from varied societal and educational backgrounds.
The programme held at Amity International School, Pushp Vihar, New Delhi brought together H.E. Mehdi Jomaa, Former Prime Minister of Tunisia; H.E. Antonio Bartoli, Ambassador of Italy to India; Smt. Arti Mehra, Former Mayor of Delhi; Dr. (Mrs.) Amita Chauhan, Chairperson, Amity Group of Schools; Ms. Arunima Kukreja, Ambassador, Colors for Peace India and Founding Director, CP Kukreja Foundation for Design Excellence; and Mr. Antonio Giannelli, Founder and President, Colors for Peace.
Speaking on the occasion, Arunima Kukreja, Ambassador, Colors for Peace India and Founding Director, CP Kukreja Foundation for Design Excellence, said: “Through this initiative, students will have the opportunity to share their values, ethos, perspectives and educational experiences, fostering greater understanding and appreciation of each other’s cultures.
Just as artworks from India are travelling to Italy this year, we look forward to bringing artworks from Italy to India next year, with a larger vision of eventually creating a platform in India that showcases artworks from children and artists across the world. Inspired by the spirit of the Colosseum and the Peace Park in Italy, we envision building a space in India that becomes a symbol of peace, creativity, unity and cultural dialogue”
H.E. the Ambassador of Italy to India said: “Peace is nurtured through education, dialogue and inclusion. By giving children a platform to express their hopes and emotions through art, we help build greater empathy and understanding. Initiatives like this keep the memory of the past alive while inspiring a more peaceful and inclusive future.”
Smt. Arti Mehra, Former Mayor of Delhi, said: “Today, what touched me most was seeing how children from modest backgrounds express themselves through colours. Colours have the power to give children a voice, inspire creativity and bring a sense of joy and belonging. Through initiatives like Colours of Peace, we can turn every child’s imagination into a message of hope, sharing and harmony. Every colour they create is a small but meaningful step towards a more peaceful future”
Dr. (Mrs.) Amita Chauhan, Chairperson, Amity Group of Schools, said: “Colors for Peace is a truly distinctive and imaginative initiative because it approaches something as profound as peace through the simplicity and honesty of a child’s imagination. Education must extend beyond textbooks and classrooms. It must create opportunities for children to develop empathy, appreciate differences and recognise their place in a larger world. What makes this initiative particularly meaningful is that it brings children from different schools, communities and circumstances onto a common platform, where every expression carries equal value. These drawings remind us that children often understand the essence of peace far more instinctively than adults do. We believe such experiences are integral to nurturing thoughtful, compassionate and responsible global citizens.”
The event concluded with a visit to the Colors for Peace Art Gallery, where artworks created by participating children were displayed. Selected artworks will travel to Italy for proposed exhibitions in 2027, while participating Indian and Italian schools are proposed to be virtually twinned—building a lasting cultural exchange around peace, empathy and coexistence. The previous initiatives have been showcased at leading international platforms, including the G7, Expo Milan, Palazzo Vecchio and the Colosseum.
About Colors for Peace
Founded in Italy in 2015, Colors for Peace invites children worldwide to express their vision of peace through art. With participation from over 135 countries, the initiative has been showcased at leading international platforms, including the G7, Expo Milan, Palazzo Vecchio and the Colosseum.
The India programme, supported by the Embassy of Italy in India, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, CP Kukreja Foundation for Design Excellence and Amity Education Group, brings this global movement to Indian schools.
About CPKA Foundation
CP Kukreja Foundation for Design Excellence’ has been instrumental in nurturing and promoting design in India. The Foundation has undertaken and disseminated research on sustainable development in the Himalayas, studies on urban underbellies including flyover infrastructure, innovative approaches to median utilisation in Delhi, and long-term vision planning for cities such as Noida. Its work focuses on bridging research, design, and policy discourse. Named after the renowned architect and founder, Mr. C.P. Kukreja, the Foundation provides a platform for aspiring designers, students and amateurs to unleash their creative potential and contribute to the field of design. The Foundation’s primary objective is to create a conducive environment for design education, research, and innovation. It operates with the belief that design plays a crucial role in shaping the world around us, and therefore, fostering design excellence is essential for sustainable development and societal progress.
