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For Immediate Release

12-YEAR-OLD BOY FROM HONG KONG AWARDED GRAND PRIZE IN LIONS INTERNATIONAL PEACE POSTER CONTEST

OAK BROOK, IL USA, March 11, 2005 – Cheuk Tat Li, a 12-year-old boy from Hong Kong, is the grand prize winner of the 17th annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest, “Give Peace a Chance.” His poster was one of more than 350,000 entries created by children ages 11,12 and 13, representing 60 countries.

Li was presented with an award and US$2,500 during Lions Day with the United Nations today. The president of the sponsoring Lions club (Hong Kong Metropolitan) and Li’s parents, sister and art teacher accompanied him to the award ceremony. Li received one of 23 merit awards in the previous year’s competition.

"I hope that everyone in the world will try their best to break down the walls we build between us and give peace a chance,” said Li.

"The Peace Poster program is a wonderful way to work with the youth in our community and provides a means for them to visually express their views of peace,” said Thomas Y. H. Yiu, president of the Hong Kong Metropolitan Lions Club that sponsored the contest at Li’s school. “We are proud to share Cheuk’s poster with people around the world at today’s event."

Lions Clubs International President Clement F. Kusiak said, “The Peace Poster Contest represents a unique way for our members to reach out to the children in their communities and provides an outlet for these future leaders to express their visions for peace.”

Li’s winning poster was chosen for its originality, artistic merit and portrayal of the contest theme, "Give Peace a Chance." In addition to the grand prize poster, 23 posters have been named merit award winners. This year’s merit award winners are from Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, Guam, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Peru, Poland, Taiwan, Thailand and the United States.

The 24 finalist peace posters will be exhibited during the year at children’s museums and various locations throughout the United States. The display will kick off in June at the 88th annual Lions Clubs International Convention in Hong Kong. The posters are also featured on the Lions Clubs International Web site.

Lions Clubs International, the world's largest service club organization, created the Peace Poster Contest to foster a spirit of peace and international understanding in young people worldwide. To view the winning posters, send an e-card or learn more about Lions International Peace Poster Contest, visit Lions Web site at www.lionsclubs.org.

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