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The International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) continued to work for the cause of peace alongside women from around the world in September. The most significant event was the commemoration of the HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light) 9.18 Peace Summit held annually in September. Under the theme of "The Multifaceted Role of Women for Sustainable Peace," IWPG organized the `2023 World Women`s Peace Conference,` where women leaders emphasized the importance of women`s peace education and shed light on the case of real peace being realized in Mindanao, the Philippines. They also pointed out the current limitations of international law and advocated for the legal enactment of the `Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War` (DPCW). Following the conference, a high-level women`s development cooperation meeting and an overseas media interview with Yoon Hyun-sook, the head of IWPG, further solidified efforts in peace cooperation and promotion. In addition, IWPG worked diligently to bring together diverse members of civil society and peace advocates.
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IWPG holds a conference on The Role of Women for
Sustainable Peace
– Brings together more than a thousand women around the world for the 9th Anniversary of the September 18th HWPL World Peace Summit
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IWPG (International Women’s Peace Group) held the 2023 International Women`s Peace Conference (IWPC) under the theme "The Multifaceted Role of Women for Sustainable Peace”. Many women attended from various countries and their contributions and results in building global peace were highlighted during the event. Furthermore, they called for women to actively participate in future peace initiatives with a unified voice.
The IWPC took place on the 19th at the Grand Hyatt Incheon West Tower in Incheon, South Korea, from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM. The venue had seating for approximately 1,000 attendees, and interpretation services were provided in eight languages, including Korean, English, French, Spanish, Arabic, German, Mongolian, and Ukrainian.
This event was organized as part of HWPL’s (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light) 9th Anniversary of the September 18th HWPL World Peace Summit, a peace collaborating organization with IWPG that is led by Chairman Man Hee Lee.
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Hyun Sook Yoon, the Chairwoman of IWPG, said during the opening speech, "It is imperative that we establish a system guaranteeing global sustainable peace. Without such a system, no nation can truly be free from the threat of war." She encouraged everyone to think together about peace that is needed and said, "IWPG is working in solidarity with women worldwide, using multifaceted approaches to achieve peace that the world needs. We look forward to groundbreaking plans and active participation from the attendees at this conference."
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First, H.E. Maria de Fatima Afonso Vila Nova, the First Lady of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, delivered a speech at the event. She stated, " the time has come for us to reverse the position of women on issues of insecurity, conflict and war.," and she encouraged women to “occupy high places that allow them to have positive intervention in this matter.”
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As a special speaker, H.E. Aya Benjamin Libo Warille, the Minister of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare of South Sudan, emphasized the importance and urgency of sustainable peace. She said, "Sustainable peace has to be built form the ground up," and added, "We know that the journey to peace is not an easy one; we will have challenges that will not be easy to overcome, but a nation like ours have a resilient people, we have ideas that will not be stopped by adversity, and we will emerge victorious.”
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In the main sessions, there were three major topics: Peace Education, Peace Culture, and Institutionalization of Peace. In the first session, Kadia Maiga Diallo, Secretary-General of the National Commission of Mali for UNESCO, presented on the topic of “Women`s Peace Education: Importance and Opportunities.” She emphasized that women play a crucial role in conflict resolution and stressed the need to involve them in negotiations, reconciliation, mediation, and the peace-building process. She also highlighted various methods that can be used to support peace education projects, citing examples from the government of Mali.
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Neziha Labidi, former Minister of Women, Family, Child, and Seniors in Tunisia, spoke on the topic of “Women`s Peace Education for the Future: Empowerment in a Changing World.” Lillian Msaki, a public health specialist of Christian Social Service Commissions (CSSC), explained the change Peace Lecturer Training Education (PLTE) program brought to Tanzania.
Former Minister Neziha Labidi remarked, “despite these efforts to reduce violence, there is still a long way to go to establish new behaviors and a new culture of respect for human dignity. I believe that it is more intelligent to recognise the right of each culture and civilisation to respect its values without prejudice, while having the universal values of human rights as a common denominator.”
She continued her speech by emphasizing that, “Women`s peace education is a crucial means to teach women and girls about their rights and how to protect them, providing them with the essential foundation to become integral members of society and leaders.” She quoted Dutch philosopher Spinoza and said, “peace emerges from within a person`s heart, and to achieve it, the teaching of peace seeds in their hearts should take precedence.”
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Having completed the Peace Lecturer Training Education (PLTE) program and possessing the Peace Lecturer certification, Lillian Benedict Msaki said, "PLTE was a clear education that transformed my thoughts and perspectives through concrete guidance on respecting life and practicing altruism." She further explained, " Our top priority for achieving significant success in peace education is to collaborate strategically with the Tanzanian government. We are in the final stages of registering IWPG Tanzania Chapter [branch], and IWPG continues to actively engage with local communities, making a real impact." She mentioned that she is currently giving peace lectures to 23 students in Tanzania.
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In the second session, facilitated by Charleen Hull, the Coordinator of the Department of International Affairs at the IWPG headquarters, three women from the Philippines discussed "Women’s Lives Changed Peaceful in Mindanao." The session featured the participation of Maria Theresa Royo-Timbol, Municipal Mayor of Kapalong, Davao del Norte; Elizabeth Mangudadadatu, Municipal Vice Mayor of Mangudadadatu, Maguindanao; and Ruby Banares-Victorino, former President of Zonta Club of Metropolitan Pasig.
They delved into the 40 years of history of the Mindanao conflict from its start to the present, shedding light on the atrocities of the time. As locals, they testified to the impact of HWPL on peace in Mindanao and stressed the need for women`s cooperation and solidarity for sustainable peace.
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In the third session, the limitations of current international law and the significance of the "Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War" (DPCW) were introduced. Ahlam Beydoun, a former professor of law and political science at Beirut`s Lebanese University, discussed the limitations of current international laws in light of the present international situation. She believed that the difficulty of achieving international peace and security for humanity is related to national practices and the functioning of the UN. Dr. Beydoun pointed out that, “The UN Charter was drafted by the victorious nations of World War II. It includes agreements from post-World War I and serves the interests of the victorious nations. Consequently, while the UN Charter contains rules to promote world peace, these rules were established to serve the interests of powerful nations.”
Regarding the UN Charter, she stated, "The UN Charter delegates the task of maintaining international peace and security to the Security Council. However, the Security Council does not make decisions based on the principle of sovereign equality and is not neutral." She further noted that a solution involves raising awareness among the people and improving the decision-making process of the Security Council to be more objective and neutral.
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Next, Kyu Sun Lee, the Director of the Peace Education of IWPG headquarters, introduced the significance and main contents of the DPCW. The DPCW was drafted by the HWPL International Law Peace Committee, comprised of international legal experts, and was publicly announced on March 14, 2016. This declaration consists of 10 articles and 38 clauses, outlining methods for preventing and resolving conflicts, mediating, and maintaining peace.
Kyu Sun Lee explained, "The DPCW explicitly outlines numerous clauses to foster an understanding and respect for diversity in our international society, and it sets the background for principles that all must pursue and uphold.” She added, " if the DPCW were to become a legally binding instrument, it would serve as a cornerstone and a new order for constructing a world of peace."
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Budee Munkhtuya, President of Association of Mothers with the Order of Famous Mothers, former member of the Mongolian Parliament and a member of IWPG’s advisory committee, spoke on the topic of "The Role of Women in the Institutionalization of Sustainable Peace." She highlighted the ineffectiveness of current international law and peace treaties, using the example of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and emphasized the importance of women`s involvement in the legalization of the DPCW.
Bude Munkhtuya stated, "To achieve cooperation among various civil organizations and groups, women`s leadership, which includes communication, collaboration, and reconciliation, is necessary." She further stated, "Women can provide differentiated perspectives and wisdom for conflict resolution, making them valuable contributors to the development of peaceful and inclusive international laws."
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Lastly, there was the appointment ceremony for IWPG Advisory Committee members and Publicity Ambassadors, along with the presentation of a Plaque of Appreciation. Aya Benjamin Libo Warille (South Sudan) and Pascal Isho Warda (Iraq) were appointed as Advisory Committee members, while Warda Sada (Israel) was appointed as a Peace Ambassador.
A Plaque of Appreciation was presented to recognize the outstanding contribution of individuals and to encourage their continued efforts. The awardees included Larzy Varghees (India), Vinutthaput Phophet (Thailand), and Ms. Chon Wanja (South Korea).
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High Level Cooperation for Development
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IWPC successfully concluded at the Grand Hyatt Incheon, followed by the High-level Development Cooperation Conference on the same day. During this event, Chairwoman Hyun Sook Yoon of IWPG met with several dignitaries, including H.E. Maria de Fatima Afonso Vila Nova, the First Lady of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe; H.E. Mutuuzo Peace Regis, Minister of State for Gender and Culture Affairs of Uganda; Maria Theresa Royo-Timbol, Mayor of Kapalong Davao Del Norte in the Philippines; and Woo Sow Pheng, IWPG Branch Manager of Malaysia.
At this gathering, Chairwoman Yoon signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Ugandan Ministry of State for Gender and Culture Affairs and Davao Del Norte, Philippine. PLTE program initiatives were discussed with Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Uganda, and the Philippines. The possibility of erecting peace monuments in the Philippines and Malaysia were also discussed. IWPG plans to actively implement peace initiatives within each country and region and advocate for support of the DPCW at a national level.
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IWPG Chairwoman Hyun Sook Yoon’s First Overseas Press Interview
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IWPG Chairwoman Hyun Sook Yoon engaged in direct interviews with five journalists from overseas, including Ms. Dwi Anggia Ritmadhini, Executive Producer of TVOne; Ms. May Mavis Gaunavou, Producer and Presenter of Fiji TV; Mr. Korie Shankulie Arsie, Representative of OBN; Mr. Addis Assefa Weldamanuel, senior journalist; and Mr. Wondesen Aregahegn Reta, Senior Producer of Fana Broadcasting Corporate.
Chairwoman Yoon reflected on the achievements of the past ten years and said, "After many years of the International Women`s Peace Conferences’ slogans consistently calling for peace, we now have supporters gathering and we are able to listen to their stories." She also expressed with hope, “I expect to see this positive flow accelerate in the coming year.”
She highlighted the introduction of PLTE in 2018 as a significant achievement. Chairwoman Yoon mentioned, "As of early this year, it has been distributed to approximately 80,000 members in a total of 74 countries." Additionally, she emphasized that they are enhancing international cooperation and exchange through the periodic International Women`s Peace Network Regular Meeting, held by region, by category, and by theme, to strengthen collaboration at the national, continental, and community levels. Aside from this there is a branch system that is used to enhance cooperation.
IWPG aims to collaborate with media outlets for continuous international coverage and promotion of peace events and plans to appoint women journalists as IWPG Peace Ambassadors.
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Exchange and Collaboration of Female Leaders
– Promise of peace cooperation with influential female leaders
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First Lady of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
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Global Region 3 held discussions with H.E. Maria de Fatima Afonso Vila Nova, the First Lady of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, on how to actively carry out IWPG’s peace projects. H.E. Maria de Fatima Afonso Vila Nova, who spoke at the International Women`s Peace Conference held in Incheon, South Korea on the 19th, emphasized solidarity and cooperation during her speech by stating, “Who walks alone may even get there faster, but the one who goes with him will certainly go further.” As a member of the IWPG Advisory Committee, she signed an MOA through her affiliated foundation and promised to work together with IWPG to vitalize the International Loving-Peace Art Competition, promote the PLTE program, and form networks with women in the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe and IWPG. The diverse peace presentations by women leaders from various countries at the International Women`s Peace Conference impressed H.E. Maria de Fatima Afonso Vila Nova as she expressed, "Without peace, daily life cannot be sustained, so we must all unite to achieve peace."
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Global Region 2 held an online meeting with H.E MP Mayada Shream, a Jordanian Member of Parliament (Chair of The Women Committee and Family Affairs) on Sep 23 to introduce IWPG and discuss future activity plans.
H.E Mayada Shream is passionate about women`s rights and peace in Jordan and is responsible for women and family issues in the parliament. She has a passion for high-level women`s peace education in coordination with IWPG, and she is dedicated to advancing the development of Jordan in line with the global era, preparing for a peaceful future for children and adolescents.
She expressed her commitment, stating, "I will implement the International Loving-Peace Art Competition on a national level in Jordan and become a peace ambassador for Jordan and work with work together with IWPG to achieve peace.
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IWPG Global Region 2 High-Level Coalition Event
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On Sep 18, in Songdo, Incheon, Global Region 2 hosted a joint event for women`s peace, bringing together female leaders from seven countries (Australia, Lebanon, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Egypt, Israel, Iraq) and 35 journalists.
The event featured prominent female leaders, including Dr. Ahlam Beydoun, Former Professor of Law at the Lebanese University; Ms. Pascale Isho Warda, Former Minister of Immigration and Refugees, Hammurabi Human Rights Organization, President; Dr. Hanan Youssef, Chairwoman of Arab Organization for Dialogue and International Cooperation; Ms. Lilian Benedict Msaki, Public Health Specialist of Christian Social Service Commissions; Ms. Fatma Fredrick Kikkides. National Coordinator and Representative of Women of Tanzania Community of Reconciliation and Peace; Mr. Korie Shankulie Arsie, Representative of OBN Horn of Africa Media; Mr. Addis Assefa Weldamanuel, Senior Journalist of OBN Horn of Africa Media; Mr. Wondesen Aregahegn Reta, Senior Producer of Fana Broadcasting Corporate; Dr. Warda Sada, founder of Israel Palestine for Peace Organization Israel Palestine for Peace Organization; Saba Gebre Medhin Hagos, Executive Director of Network of Ethiopian Women`s Associations; Dr. Ghada Chreim Ata, Former Minister of the Displaced; Dr. Rana Hossameldien Elnatar, Assistant to the Party Leader for Women Affairs of Egypt October Party; Shafaq Jaffery, President of AusPak Women Association; Dur E Shahwar Bilal, Secretary of AusPak Women Association and Managing Director of Best Disability Solution Services; and Dr. Sadaf Asad, Doctor and Director of AusPak Women Association were present at the event.
Leaders from Jordan, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and Palestine who couldn’t physically attend the event due to circumstances joined online.
During this event each country shared their peace activities and determinations to urge for the DPCW. Also, a congratulatory video message for high-level women and a video of past activities were shown. Lastly, promises were made from side meetings with each country to sign a MOA.
Female leaders who attended the event promised to form networks and actively participate in peace activities in their respective countries and beyond, stating, "We have learned a lot from the achievements of Global Region 2 in building world peace. We will return to our countries to form networks and participate in many peace activities."
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African Women Leader’s Peace Conversation
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Global Region 2 held the African Women Leader’s Peace Conversation consisting of four countries (Ethiopia, Tanzania, Egypt, Uganda) on the 19th. High-ranking women from public agencies and civil society organizations gathered to assess the current challenges and seek solutions.
Lilian Benedict Msaki, a leading public health specialist and Director of Equality for All(EFA), stated, "Due to conflicts occurring in many regions of Africa, women are the most affected economically and socially." She added, "To ensure sustainable peace for all women on the African continent, we must enhance their role and strengthen their efforts."
H.E. Mutuuzo Peace Regis Minister of Gender and Culture of Uganda, said, "Africa is currently experiencing the most armed conflicts in the world." She emphasized the need to empower women`s roles in achieving peace and address obstacles together. She also stressed that governments should unite to promote peaceful solutions and that the PLTE program is necessary for enhancing the African Peace Initiative.
Ms. Saba Gebre Medhin Hagos, Executive Director of Network of Ethiopian Women`s Associations, stated, "The problems faced by women across Africa due to insecurity are nearly identical." She argued that women should become a unified force to promote peace through cooperation.
Dr. Hanan Youssef, Chairwoman of the Arab Organization for Dialogue and International Cooperation in Egypt, discussed the need for strengthening peace education and lectures in all institutions worldwide to achieve the peace that the world values.
Lana Hosameldin El Nattah, Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Siwalda Women`s Ministry, said, "Women`s rights can be enhanced through education, and for this, women worldwide need to raise their voices."
Seo Yeon Lee, Regional Director of IWPG, stated, "The world has overcome COVID-19 together for three years and has entered an era of a paradigm shift in the fundamentals of humanity: freedom, love, and peace. Governments must resolve common issues related to women`s rights, education, and more within Africa, centered around IWPG`s peace initiatives."
During the peace conversation, women leaders promised to participate in IWPG`s peace activities through strengthening peace education in schools, establishing women`s peace networks, expanding the involvement of local community leaders, and maintaining regular communication. The African Women Leader’s Peace Conversation was attended by media outlets such as Ethiopia OBN Broadcasting station and FANA Broadcasting station, receiving significant attention and coverage.
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