WASHINGTON – Out of nearly 500 entries into the inaugural Peacedriven Songwriting Award contest, Australian Jeff Sheppard’s “Can’t Change the World” created the most buzz among the panel of judges, comprised of social activists and musicians.

Sheppard says his song was inspired by thoughts of how he could make the world a better place. “It is the thought that I am one person,” Sheppard said, who counts among his musical influences Stevie Wonder and John Mayer. “My hands and actions, though capable of so much, are still only one person’s hands. It is about making them count where I can.”

Peacedriven.com founder Anthony Stokes says the award was established to recognize songwriters like Sheppard who can tap into music’s power to inspire social change. “Many talented songwriters entered the contest, but Jeff’s song was extra special,” Stokes said. “His song is both contemporary and memorable and will inspire peacedriven people everywhere.”

As the winner of the Peacedriven Songwriting Award, Sheppard will receive $200 and will be featured on Peacedriven.com, the hub for peace news and activism. “Can’t Change the World” is now being streamed on the website. A compilation CD is also in the works, which will feature the top finalists in the contest.

Peacedriven.com began taking submissions for the contest in February of this year. Almost all of the songs were submitted through an online submission process, with the help of the global music network Sonicbids.com. Entries from all genres and from around the world were received, including United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Israel and Belgium. Judges narrowed down the entries based on originality, melody and lyrics. The field was first cut to the Top 40 semi-finalists, and then judged a second time to find the Top 18 finalists.

Other leading finalists included the Grammy-nominated Nadirah Shakoor, former lead singer of the hip-hop group Arrested Development. Her song “Break Away” encourages an end to child abuse. Award-winning California pop group Liquid Blue was also a standout with its song “Making Up” urging an end to global conflicts like Israel and Palestine.

“Peacedriven” and “Peacedriven.com” were coined and launched in January 2005. The term “peacedriven” describes one who strongly believes in the possibility of a world free from violence, war and crime, and passionately devotes him/herself to achieving this peace. It can also describe one who strives to find inner peace after abuse and other victimizations.

Peacedriven.com was created to give such public servants a place to connect with other peacedriven people, to learn more about peace projects and also stay up on the latest news.

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