United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs is running the Pitching Peace Youth Music Challenge which invites young people to express their passion for peace through music.

It is part of the Youth4Disarmament Initiative.

With financial support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, the #Youth4Disarmament initiative invites young people, aged 13-29, to share what disarmament means to them and their communities by creating their own music.

The original scores should also reflect one of the four pillars of the Secretary-General’s Agenda for Disarmament for inspiration:

• Disarmament to save humanity,
• Disarmament to save lives,
• Disarmament for future generations,
• Strengthening Partnerships for Disarmament.

The Pitching Peace Youth Music Challenge has been inspired by the uniting and healing power of music that can support efforts for Securing Our Common Future.

Submissions will be judged on musical technique, creativity, innovation, theme, performance, and overall impression. Entries must be original and will be judged in the following age categories; 13-18 (middle & high school), 19 to 24 years (college & graduate school) and 25 to 29 years (early career professionals). A panel of distinguished judges will select three winners from each group.

Winners will receive a token grant, ranging from $500 (first-place), $250 (second-place) and $100 (third-place), and will be invited to perform at a special congratulatory event during the seventy-seventh session of the United Nations General Assembly First Committee.

Submissions can be from any genre of music and can be performed in all languages. Entrants are encouraged to perform in their native language and should provide a transcript if lyrics are used.

The challenge will close for submissions on 12 August 2022, International Youth Day, and the winners will be announced on 21 September 2022, International Day of Peace.

Please see the full rules and regulations before submitting your entry.