Peace out: see how record breakers have advocated for world peace

From holding up peace signs to speaking at the UN, we all have our own way of advocating for peace. No action is too small. These records will have you revisiting 1970s with more peace signs than you can count.

Largest human image of a peace sign

To spread the message of peace around the world, on 28 March students from Somayya Group of Institutions and Maharashtra Shikshan Prasarak Mandal (both India) worked together to form the largest human image of a peace sign. In total, 1,381 students worked together to create the universal symbol of friendship. With this peace sign being formed by the most humans ever, the amount of collaboration required amongst the students signifies there can be unity and friendship. These students give us hope that world peace is not too far out of reach.

Largest floating human logo / image

Adding more of a challenge to the peace-making task, 10 years prior Municipality of Mudanya, Hayri Türkyilmaz, and Cumhur Aygün (all Türkiye) gathered 460 people to float their way into making a peace sign on 30 August 2015. The group created the universal sign of peace in order to celebrate Türkiye’s 93rd Victory Day, which celebrates the Türkish War of Independence back in 1922. The group wore all the same coloured life jackets so they could be seen in the aerial photo.

Youngest UN messenger of peace

If there's one thing to be learned from students collaborating to make a peace sign, it is at that young people are the movement and voice of the generation. Malala Yousafzai (Pakistan) holds the Guinness World Records title for youngest UN messenger of peace. On 10 April 2017, Secretary-General António Guterres gave Malala the title of United Nations Messenger of Peace for her advocacy work in girl’s education. Malala was only 19 at the time.

Two years earlier at 17, she became the youngest Nobel Peace Prize Winner. According to the Nobel Peace Prize, she received the award for “her fight for the right of every child to receive an education.”

First peace treaty

For as long as there has been violence, there has been peace. The first peace treaty was signed in 1271 BC between the Egyptian pharaoh, Ramses II (Ramses the Great), and Hattusilis III, King of the Hittites. This treaties formal title is The Treaty of Kadesh. The two leaders formed an alliance between Egypt and Hatti (present-day Türkiye) to protect themselves from foreign aggression. After the treaty was signed, peace stayed between the two empires for the next 40 years. The treaty was written in both hieroglyphics and in the Mesopotamian language of Akkadian (or Babylonian-Assyrian). What remains of the original treaty resides at The UN’s headquarters as a symbol of diplomacy throughout the ages of the world.

Most peaceful country

Image by Gaby|ShariaOut from Pixabay

Need an escape from all the chaos?

Try a vacation to Iceland. According to the Global Peace Index, by the Institute for Economics and Peace, as of 2012 Iceland is the most peaceful country. In 2025, Iceland still remains the most peaceful with a GPI of 1.212. The index is calculated by the internal and external ‘absence of violence’ related to the country.

“The key to the country’s safety lies in a number of factors, such as having an exceedingly low crime rate, while also being the only Nato member without a standing military,” The Independent says. “A level of trust can be seen throughout the country, demonstrated by babies being left out bundled up in the strollers for fresh air to let them sleep.”

Largest personnel contributor to multilateral peace operations (country)

We need to also shoutout the country that's working to make the peacefulness of Iceland a universal reality. According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the largest personnel contributor to multilateral peace operations (country) is Ethiopia. Ethiopia had dedicated 12,534 military and police personnel to United Nations and African Union peace operations. The United Nations says: “Ethiopian men and women have played an important role in the Organization’s efforts to advance peace in the world’s hot spots.”

Longest peace vigil by an individual

Concepción "Connie" Picciotto (Spain) proves you do not need an army behind you to fight for peace. Instead, you alone can make a difference. For a span of 34 years and 177 days, Connie camped outside Lafayette Square, opposite the White House in Washington, DC, USA. Connie dedicated her life here to protest nuclear warfare and well deservedly earned the Guinness World Records title longest peace vigil by an individual. Till Connie sadly passed away in 2016, she would hand out pamphlets and display signs advocating for an anti-nuclear world.

Keep calm and peace out.  These records show no matter who you are or how many people you have behind you, you can always make a difference.