미디어

     50th 

2023 January    

IWPG Spreads Peace Education to Everyone,

from Parents to Children

Philippine Branch’s Peace Project using the IWPG Coloring Book

On Dec 9th, Philippine Branch held the “Personality-Building Project to Achieve Peace” at Hinukay Elementary School with 254 Philippine children who are longing for peace using the IWPG Coloring Book for the purpose of raising awareness of the importance and value of peace.
One participant said, “It was a very valuable project because I received the beautiful IWPG Coloring Book and learned why a peaceful world is needed.”
Ms. Myrisa Balondo, the acting principal of Hinukay Elementary School and currently a PLTE student, said, “I’m grateful to be able to give this coloring book to children who are longing for peace so that they can gain hope. I will continue to work with IWPG with love and teach children with the heart of a mother.”

Hong Kong Branch holds a Peace Workshop

IWPG Hong Kong Branch held the “Peace Workshop for Emotion Control and Non-violent Communication” for 180 primary and middle school students at the HAN Academy on Nov 28th, Dec 2nd, Dec 9th. 
Volunteers in IWPG Hong Kong branch requested to collaborate with HAN Academy to have peace workshops for their students. Feeling the need to help children who were lacking F2F interaction with their peers due to the COVID-19 pandemic and going through stressful circumstances, the teachers suggested that IWPG make a program to teach these children proper character and interpersonal relationship skills. Through various programs including role play, discussions, and games, children learned various interpersonal relationship skills, such as how to openly express their thoughts and emotions while understanding and relating to the thoughts and emotions of others.
One 5th grade student who participated in the Workshop said, "I think the emotion control and non-violence education provided today is very important because everything that we learn and practice can be the start of the change to a peaceful world.”

Global Region 2, Interview with Tanzania PLTE Staff

On Dec 18th, Global Region 2 conducted a PLTE group interview with 17 Tanzanian women. It was an opportunity for everyone to share each other’s resolution and determination for the upcoming peace education.
Verena Holo Busanda (peace educator) said, “Many Tanzanian women are the victims of violence. I hope that through peace education these women gain knowledge that is helpful for the society.”
MonarMosi Theobald Chitanda (architect) said, “Peace has power. I will participate actively in the education because I believe if I have peace, more women will gain the power to work.”

Global Region 4, Holds the Completion Ceremony of PLTE Class 3 in Myanmar

Global Region 4 Myanmar Branch held the Completion Ceremony of PLTE Class 3 online on Dec 10th. A total of 37 students graduated with excellent results. After the three instructors shared their thoughts of completing the education, everyone watched a video of the students’ peace education activities. Then, one graduate gave a speech as a representative. Lastly, the 10 most excellent graduates gave a PLTE lecture, which was good practice for becoming future peace lecturers.
Khin Thida Han, doctor of the Myanmar Medical Association and one of the PLTE instructors, said, “Unlike other peace education programs, PLTE is special because it gathers people of different religions, race, and backgrounds and bonds them together. I am proud to have learned the depth and value of PLTE and become a lecturer. I was moved to see students try their best despite unfavorable conditions such as electricity cut-offs, unstable Internet connections, and turbulent national circumstances. I hope all the graduates become influential peace lecturers in their communities.”

Ei Hnin Khaing, an engineer of the Yangon-Mandalay Railway Improvement Project, shared her thoughts in her graduate representative speech. “PLTE is very systematic and effective. It is a good education program for humanity and changes us for the better. Through PLTE, I learned of HWPL and DPCW, and I enjoyed learning of amazing peace activities. DPCW is essential to all nations because its goal is to stop war on earth and build a peaceful world. Myanmar’s peace culture will thrive thanks to IWPG.”
In her Completion Speech, Htet Htet Aung, program director of ProAct Myanmar, described her action plans by saying, “PLTE is very practical and holds a new concept of peace that we can apply to our daily lives. I am proud to be part of IWPG’s peace family. I will educate PLTE to women from various classes.”

Global Region 12, Holds PLTE Completion Ceremony online in Kenya and Cambodia

On Dec 25th, IWPG Global Region 12 (Regional Director Mi Hyun Yeo) held an online PLTE Completion Ceremony online with Kenyan and Cambodian members. Ten people participated, including three graduates, the Cambodia Branch Manager, and the staff of Global Region 12.
Drusilla Josephine Kerubo Kuindwa, member of Kenya Alliance for Advancement of Children (KAAC), and Kesia Nundu Dibo, ticket manager of Nairobi Expressway, received a certificate and instructor ID, and Ek Sophanna, executive director of Christina Salon Beauty and School received a certificate.

Global Region 6, Chuncheon Branch Provides Parent Education on the Topic of “Peace of the Mother, Peace for the Child”

On Dec 7th, Chuncheon branch held a lecture session in the branch office titled “Peace of the Mother, Peace for the Child.”
Sung Suk Min, Research Director of Future Education of Gangwon, who completed PLTE, said, “We ourselves must be the actors of peace. I combined parent education and peace education because I wanted more people to receive peace education.” She also emphasized that mothers must realize the value of peace first to educate their children of the value of peace.

Peace Movements that Create Peace

Melbourne Branch Holds Award Ceremony and Exhibition of the 4th International Loving-Peace Art Competition

On Dec 3rd, Melbourne Branch of Australia held the award ceremony and exhibition of the 4th International Loving-Peace Art Competition at the Saltwater Community Center in cooperation with Shreelkha Jain, the director of Shreelkha Art Foundation. Under the theme of “Peace and Friendship,” 45 children participated, and excellent drawings from India, Germany, and U.S.A. were displayed. This exhibition was held to plant the seed of peace in the hearts of children and send a message of hope for peace to people living in war and conflict. Director Shreelkha Jain said that she will work with the local community to support the DPCW and spread a culture of peace.
Jasmine Hill, the councilor for the city of Wyndham, said, “In order to build a peaceful and happy world, all families and members of the community must come together, and peace starts from within us. The DPCW is amazing.”
Awardee Trisha Mehta expressed her thoughts and said, “Because we are all one, peace means stopping war and loving everyone in the world.”

Global Region 5, India Mumbai Peace Committee Holds “Peace Slogan Contest”

On Dec 19th, the India Mumbai Peace Committee held the “Peace Slogan Contest” at St. Matthew’s High School. This contest was an opportunity for students to think of the value and objective of peace and go one step further to promote peace in their communities. A total of 54 people participated, and the participating students could share their creative thoughts and opinions.

Global Region 10, Donated Funds to the IWPG Peace Committee in the Democratic Republic of Congo

On Dec 24th, Global Region 10 held a ceremony to donate funds to the Peace Committee in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Part of the 3rd Heart The Heart Love for Neighbors event, this ceremony was an opportunity to express IWPG’s gratitude to Josephine Malimukono, representative director of La Solidarite de Congolese (LSC), for her continuous cooperation and strong partnership in the past year. Through this event, the two organizations promised to maintain and strengthen their partnership. The donations will be given to refugees in the Goma, where the Peace Committee representative mainly conducts her activities.

Global Region 11, Opens “Hangeul Village School”

Global Region 11 (Regional Director Hae Hyeon Yoo) opened the “Hanguel Village School” on Dec 10th. The Hangeul Village School was made to teach Hangeul to Fiji people. It has an 8-week curriculum that includes learning the Korean alphabet to watching Korean dramas. Regional Director Hae Hyeon Yoo was the lecturer, and the overall class was organized by the Dept of International Affairs. The Fiji students were very enthusiastic to learn Korean.

MOA/MOU Signing to Realize Peace Projects

Global Region 4, Signs MOA with Innovation for Educational Life of Myanmar

On Dec 29th, Global Region 4 (Regional Director Si Hyeon Kang) signed an MOA with Innovation for Educational Life (founder Myat Thu Thu Aung) of Myanmar. 
Representative Myat Thu Thu Aung expressed her thoughts on the MOA, saying, “I am happy to have signed an MOA with IWPG. IWPG is an organization that transitions individual peace into world peace. I hope to do much for the community with IWPG.”

Global Region 12, Signs MOA with TND News from Uganda and Lend a Voice Africa from Kenya

On Dec 21st, Global Region 12 (Regional Director Mi Hyun Yeo) signed MOAs with Kenya organization Lend a Voice Africa (representative Maureen Atieno Magak) and Uganda media TND News (representative Milton Emmy Akwam) in order to build substantial partnerships for peace projects and promotion.
Regional Director Mi Hyun Yeo said, “It is heartbreaking that many people are suffering from war and conflict. A world of peace, not war, must be achieved. I am grateful to be able to work with Lend a Voice Africa and TND News to spread peace culture and build a world of peace.”

Changwon Branch Signs MOA with Love Practice Volunteer Group

On Dec 23rd, Changwon Branch (Branch Manager Hye Jung Heo) signed an MOA with Love Practice Volunteer Group (representative Hae Young Son).

IWPG’s value of motherly love, sacrifice and volunteer spirit to hand down a world of peace as a legacy to the future generation and Love Practice Volunteer Group’s vision to spread a good influence on society through sacrifice and volunteer work came together to sign this MOA. The two organizations promised to cooperate in peace work and volunteer work.

Cooperation and Interaction Among Women

All Over the World for Peace

Global Region 4, Joint Year-End Meeting with 8 Countries

On Dec 17th, Global Region 4 held a joint year-end gathering with 75 participants from 8 countries: Korea, Myanmar, Thailand, East Timor, South Sudan, Rwanda, Cameroon, and Burundi. The event started by watching a video on the IWPG activities from each country, followed by a report of Global Region 4’s activities in 2022. Next, Aya Benjamin Libo Warille, the Minister of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare in South Sudan, gave a congratulatory speech. After that, there was a briefing on IWPG’s plans for 2023. 

Congratulatory speech by Minister of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare in South Sudan, Aya Benjamin Libo Warille.

Minister Aya Benjamin Libo Warille said, “The world is suffering from the pandemic, but IWPG demonstrated true devotion and continuous effort for sustainable peace. IWPG clearly has the momentum and potential to bring stable peace. I want to thank everyone for supporting all women who are working to achieve peace despite difficult circumstances.”

In the 2nd part of the event, participants were broken up into smaller group to share each country’s traditions and have an open discussion on the 6 peace topics.

In the 3rd part, there was the establishment ceremony of the new branches and new peace committee, and each of the representatives gave a speech. Crystal Po Gyaw, board member of the National Young Women’s Christian Association and Branch Manager of Yangon Branch of Myanmar, said, “I’m very happy to be here at this year-end gathering. It was enlightening and fun to break up into smaller groups and share the traditions of each country. I loved how all the participants sang the IWPG song and shouted, ‘We are one.’ Everything was perfect.”
Khin Mu Mu Han, the general secretary of Mandalay Young Women’s Christian Association and Branch Manager of Mandalay Branch, Myanmar, said, “Thank you for appointing me as the Branch Manager of Mandalay Branch. The goal of Mandalay Branch is to provide women with the opportunity to be educated. This is because I believe that education can change people’s lives. PLTE is made up of people from various backgrounds, which is needed in Myanmar, where people lack awareness toward peace.” 
Parfaite Ntahuba, national coordinator of Friends Women’s Association, was appointed as the new representative of the Bujumbura Peace Committee in Burundi. She said, “I’m honored to be the representative of the Bujumbura Peace Committee. I am happy to work with women around the world to promote peace. I will hold regular meetings with the Peace Committee members to facilitate the committee and make peace activities flourish.”

Global Region 2, Holds Joint Year-End Meeting with 4 Countries

On Dec 17th, 30 women from various countries including Ethiopia, Yemen, Armenia, and Tanzania came together for the year-end meeting hosted by Global Region 2. This was an opportunity for the members to reflect on 2022 and its meaning and renew their resolve for 2023. 
Yayesh Tesfahuney Kiflay, Ethiopia Director of Child Support Inspection of the Ministry of Gender Equality, said, “I will do my best as an IWPG member to achieve peace in Ethiopia in 2023.”

Gayane Khachatryan, director of Armenia Talin Women’s Resource Center Development Foundation (TWRCF), said, “In 2023, I want to work with IWPG more closely to achieve peace.” 

Kaltham Abdulla Yusuf from Bahrain said, “In 2022, I lost my mother, who was everything to me, and was hit hard due to COVID-19. However, I will not lose hope. I am happy to have met IWPG, and I will continue to run towards peace.”
Lillian Masaki, the regional community coordinator of Tanzania Christian Social Service, said, “I am happy to have met IWPG, and next year I will try to work with more women for peace.”

Global Region 3, Holds International Women’s Peace Network Regular Meeting with 5 Countries

On Dec 18th, Global Region 3 held the International Women’s Peace Network Regular Meeting online with India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Afghanistan. Participants reflected upon the peace activities in 2022, while sharing their ideas for women rights and peace related activities in 2023. Also, awards were given to excellent members who participated actively.

Jansi Leela Packia John, the representative of India Peace Committee and PURA Director, said, “I will cooperate for peace activities even more in 2023 so that we can reap more fruits in 2023. Ms. Rahuma Moosa from Maldives said, “IWPG’s history sets a good example. I also plan to take PLTE in January.”

Global Region 5, Holds Joint International Women’s Peace Network Regular Meeting for Asia

On Dec 17th, Global Region 5 held the “The 5th Asia Joint International Women’s Peace Network Regular Meeting” online. The participants watched a highlight video on IWPG activities and messages of gratitude from the members, followed by the award ceremony. All the participants showed positive reactions to the event. It was a meaningful opportunity for everyone to become one under peace.

IWPG 2022 Peace Fundraising Event “Fruition”

On Dec 16th, the headquarters of International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG, representative Hyun Sook Yoon) held the 2022 Peace Fundraising Event “Fruition” at Lotte Hotel in Jamsil, Seoul with 500 IWPG staff and support members from Korea.
Since its establishment in 2013, IWPG has led the path to world peace by signing 450 MOU/MOAs through various peace activities over the past 10 years. As IWPG has grown thanks to the effort of many, the event was an opportunity to invite many of the contributors that could not gather face to face due to COVID-19 and to share messages of gratitude and strengthen cooperation and interaction.
The event started with a brief history of IWPG’s past decade, followed by an introduction of the guests, the establishment ceremony of the Peace Support Committee, the donation delivery ceremony, advisor appointment, and a congratulatory performance. IWPG thanked all the participants and promised to spread its two wings, the Peace Committee and the Peace Support Committee, even wider and leap one step further toward world peace.

IWPG Volunteer Activities

Mongolia Branch, Volunteers to Care for Children with Disabilities

On Dec 27th, Mongolia Branch volunteered to care for children during the regular training session of Erhem Nandin Suvd (which means “The Precious Pearl”), a national coalition of parents of children with disabilities. Erhem Nandin Suvd regularly provides education and gatherings for parents of children with disabilities, but many of the parents could not participate because there was no proper space for the education. IWPG Mongolia Branch and the youth members of IPYG, a cooperative organization of IWPG, came together to look after children with disabilities and help the education take place. The Mongolia Psychology Society provided consulting education for parents of children with disabilities. 
G. Enkhchimeg, the representative of Erhem Nandin Suvd, expressed his deepest gratitude towards IWPG’s social contribution activities and said, “It was thanks to IWPG that the parents could focus on the education without being distracted or anxious because of their children.”
Erdenechimeg, a member of Erhem Nandin Suvd, said, “I would like to thank IWPG for helping me receive such valuable education.” 
The two organizations will continue to cooperate and have plans to focus on peace projects going forward.

Interview of the Month

Lamia Al-eryani

Yemen

President of Yemen Peace School 
Former Deputy Minister of the Technical Education and Vocational Training Ministry 
IWPG member

1. What is your motivation to keep working for women and peace?

Women played a pivotal role in the renaissance of ancient and modern societies, and through this role they proved their ability to positively change those societies and achieve peace and stability, and they are an essential element in bringing about the process of positive change in society.
It depends largely on the reality of women and the extent to which they are able to play their roles in society. As a woman is a member of society, she must be a partner in managing society and carrying its affairs, because she is a partner with men in bearing responsibility. In light of the state of growth and progress that societies are witnessing, we need all societal efforts and energies. Considering that women are half of society, and from here we should strengthen the social role of women and support them continuously and work to overcome the difficulties that they may face, such as traditions and social norms that cancel the entity of women and impose on them subordination to men, and some laws and societal regulations that impede women`s self-realization.

2. Please tell us about the events and activities of the IWPG organization that left a deep impression on you. 

Most of the activities of IWPG that left a good impression are their activities concerned with spreading the culture of peace in the world and strengthening the roles of women, so that they are one voice and they are one.
Also, international webinar activities on peace, as well as advocacy campaigns for peace, spreading stability and stopping wars.
I also like their artistic activities and spreading peace through art, drawing, poetry and short stories.

3. What kind of efforts do you think the Yemen government and women need to make in order to develop their beliefs and policies for peace?

The Yemeni government and women, through their efforts in support of national peace, must make sure that there is no victor in this war and that all war parties are losers of their nation, value and humanity. They must believe in the intention of the importance of stopping the war and believe that diplomacy, political dialogue and negotiations are the solution.

Yemeni women should make more efforts to convince the government and the parties to the conflict of the importance of national reconciliation, concern for the interest of Yemen and the peace of society, and the start of reconstruction and development.

4. Tell me about the need for the United Nations to present the Peace International Act (DPCW) in the New Cold War.

The Cold War is a political, ideological, and sometimes military confrontation indirectly. It is a struggle between a rising power and an established power. The latter always guards its dominance over the status quo and seeks to control any new competitor.
In the new Cold War, countries around the world are under increasing pressure to choose a side between the two powers. The concept of the "New Cold War" is formed to describe the growing tension between the world`s two largest economies, causing problems in ideological and political systems.
And if we believe that among the greatest achievements of the United Nations is the development of a set of laws, conventions, treaties and standards central to the promotion of international peace and security, where many of the treaties created by the United Nations form the basis of the law that governs relations between states, there is no doubt that the importance of these laws appears in the periods of the Cold War, which are often accompanied by escalation and dangers threatening the world.
Therefore, there must be an international law for peace that includes the principles and rules that regulate the means and methods of cold wars, as well as ensuring that military wars do not break out, regulate diplomatic relations, and pursue peaceful settlements in all international problems.
The international law of peace is supposed to contain articles and clauses related to the roles of women, their promotion and human rights, and the international community must abide by them.

5. Could you tell us your plan or vision for peace activities in 2023?

Our plan in YEMEN PEACE SCHOOL ORGANIZATION for peace in the year 2023 is to work on the three peace tracks, with a focus on the first track which focuses on the importance of women’s participation in political dialogue and negotiation tables, through holding dialogue sessions and organizing meetings with leaders of the parties to the conflict, the UN envoy and ambassadors of influential countries in Yemen.
We also plan to work on national reconciliation by forming teams of political and societal influencers to start the process of national reconciliation.
We will also work on training and rehabilitation in the concept of transitional justice and the roles of women in it and in the reconstruction of Yemen.
We will also focus on community awareness and spreading the culture of peace among citizens by all possible means.

Answer to eradicate war and achieve peace!

Signatures in Support of the ‘Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)’

DPCW 10 Articles 38 Clauses is a declaration to bring sustainable peace to the world by preventing conflict and enabling international supervisory institutions to play their role of mediating conflict.

What happens if I sign in support of the DPCW???‍♂?
The DPCW can be legislated as a binding international law through the UN. Consequently, war will disappear from the surface of the earth, and everyone will be able to enjoy a peaceful world, bringing peace to regions suffering from conflict and bloodshed.

How to support the DPCW?

Please click the button below!??

[EN] 2022 International Women`s Peace Group Assembly - YouTube

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