The Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center (WDRC) is pleased to announce the launch of the 2024 Youth Peace Poetry Contest. Sponsored by Village Books, the Youth Peace Poetry contest invites Whatcom County youth, ages 4-18, to get creative and use poetry and other forms of written word to explore themes related to peaceful conflict resolution. Themes of past poems have included resolving conflict, talking things out, listening to one another, tolerance, building peace, hopes and dreams, understanding, respect, inner peace, anti-bullying and more.
Poets are encouraged to submit between now and June 14th, 2024. Winners will have the opportunity to read their poem aloud at the WDRC’s annual Peace Builders Awards Gala on October 25th, and at a Youth Peace Poetry Reading hosted by Village Books.
Over the next few months, the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center will also be hosting multiple poetry writing workshops throughout Whatcom County. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to stay up to date on future workshops.
The Youth Peace Poetry Contest highlights the WDRC’s Youth Program, which works to empower young people to resolve conflict creatively and build healthy relationships. Through training and mediation, the Youth Program reached over 600 youth in 2023.
More information, past winning poems, and submission forms can be found at: www.whatcomdrc.org/youth-peace-poetry-contest/
The WDRC is a non-profit dedicated to providing and promoting constructive and collaborative approaches to conflict through mediation, training, facilitation, and community education. More information can be found at www.whatcomdrc.org or by calling 360-676-0122.
