Justin Howard performs as Nordic Thunder during the Air Guitar World Championships in Finland.

I’ve been competing in air guitar competitions for seven years now, and I have finally obtained the ultimate title —  2012 Air Guitar World Champion. 

Believe it or not, the purpose of competitive air guitar is to promote world peace. There is a saying that goes “You cannot hold a gun if you’re holding an air guitar.” As absurd as that sounds, it’s true. I have seen first hand the positive influence that air guitar has on people, and the joy it brings. I have traveled the world spreading this message of peace and love.

There are a dozen countries that are represented during the Air Guitar World Championships that take place in Oulu, Finland. Each of these ambassadors of air gathers together, regardless of  their gender, religious beliefs, and the political agendas of their home country, to focus on one thing — bringing peace to the world by playing an invisible instrument.

If the world treated one another the way that air guitarists do, focused on loving each other while promoting happiness through good clean harmless FUN, the world would be a better place. I believe that air guitar can and certainly will change the world.

• Learn more about the Air Guitar World Championships
• Peace and conflict resolution is one of Rotary’s six areas of focus. Read more about the three Rotary Global Peace Forums that will champion President Sakuji Tanaka’s RI theme, Peace Through Service.