With violence in schools on the increase, a non-profit organisation, Just For Peace, is on a mission to bring peace in schools through music.

One avenue through which this will be done is the Just For Peace Talent Search Contest, which started on December 5 with an audition in Mandeville. In the contest, high school students between 14 and 18 years old are invited to write conscious lyrics to promote peace, love and unity.

"We had the contest in mind from about last year because of this whole violence and indiscipline in schools," said Umar Plummer, assistant public relations officer at Just For Peace. "We know a lot of talent contests that take place in Jamaica but we wanted a talent contest with a good purpose to what's going on."

Perfect timing

And, the timing could not have been any better.

"We realised that this is the perfect time for this. The whole violence is because of these two sides that they are taking in schools," he said in reference to the Gully-Gaza feud.

"We had indiscipline in schools for quite some time but it is getting out of hand now."

With this competition, Plummer said the children write and perform clean lyrics that encourage peace. But it is not limited to songs, as dancers can participate as well.

The competition started with the first set of auditions in Mandeville. There, Plummer said, 35 students competed. Another audition took place in Ocho Rios last Saturday. And there will be other auditions in Montego Bay and Kingston in the coming weeks. The grand finals will take place in March on Peace Day.

Prizes will include trophies, music videos, recording contracts, scholarship and the opportunity to tour the Caribbean.

While there are many prizes for the competition, Plummer said the contest's main source of funding is Henfield Recording Company.

"We still hoping that we can get assistance from Government or other sponsors," he told The Gleaner.

Nonetheless, he said that he expects more students to compete at the next audition, as the competition is being promoted heavily.

Peace, love and unity

"I know it's gonna create a big impact in the schools and we are working very hard to get the message across," Plummer said.

He also believes the organisation's goal of peace, love and unity can be achieved. In addition, he said, the contest needs the support of Jamaicans, as it will help to improve discipline in schools, produce role models and decrease crime and violence.

"Not everyone loves what is going on in terms of the negativity. If we have people working with us, we know we are going to achieve our mission. Right now, everyone wish to see a peaceful Jamaica," Plummer said.

Role models

The talent contest is only one aspect of Just For Peace, which was started in 2006 by Eugene Pitter. It also comprises a group of artistes who want to promote peace. Plummer is a member of that group that also includes Delroy 'DJ Gilligan' Gillings, Errol 'Zabiki' Corniffe, Lloyd 'Four Quartas' Corniffe, Dennis Hopwood, General G.T. and Raymond Francis. These persons, Plummer said, are also role models for the students who enter the competition.

And the group has achieved much too. It co-produced Peace Mobile Concerts in Flankers, St James, and Kingston last year. In addition, the members produced a Just For Peace school tour at five St Catherine schools - Hydel Group of Schools, Dinthill Technical High, Glengoffe High, St Jago High and Innswood High in 2007.