IWPG 2024 February Newsletter

     63th  

Feb 2024  

In January, the International Women’s Peace Group(IWPG) worked endlessly to scale up Peace Lecturer Training Education(PLTE), collaborate with civil society, support the legislation of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War(DPCW), promote peace, and sign MOU/As with various organizations.

MOA Signing for Peace Projects

-Women Around the World Uniting Under Peace

Global Region 4 signs MOA with Goodwill Ambassador of Hope Cameroon

On Jan 16, Global Region 4 signed an MOA with Goodwill Ambassador of Hope Cameroon in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Goodwill Ambassador of Hope(GWAH) is an NGO and NPO, open to every culture with an interest in improving the lives of women and girls. Ekembe Epose Mbacham Mirabel Achebi, the co-founder and executive director of the GWAH, completed the PLTE this January and signed an MOA with IWPG. 
Ekembe Epose Mbacham Mirabel Achebi said, “We need PLTE to achieve peace. IWPG has taught us the importance of women and about the roles that women should take for each family and society. Our organization promises to gather the heart of women to achieve peace”.

–Peace Realized through Female Peace Lecturers

184 PLTE students graduate from Ulaanbaatar Branch in Mongolia

Ulaanbaatar Branch in Mongolia(Branch Manager Tumurkhuyag Enkhtaivan) produced 91 PLTE graduates from Ulaanbaatar and 7 different Aimags nationwide through online education on Jan 15-19. In addition, 45 students from Delgerkhan Sum and 48 students from Jargaltkhaan Sum Khengtii Aimag graduated from the PLTE on Jan 24-25 and Jan 26-27 respectively.

Global Region 8 hosts Vietnam PLTE Graduation Ceremony 

On Jan 17, Global Region 8 hosted the Graduation Ceremony of Vietnam PLTE class 23-4-1 online.

Global Region 8 holds PLTE Orientation in Zambia

On Jan 27, Global Region 8 held the PLTE Orientation in Zambia with 31 participants online, starting with an introduction to IWPG, the Peace Education curriculum, and the course guidelines. One of the students expressed her expectation saying, “I am very excited with the peace education course for women, expecting to gain knowledge that could bring positive changes to my local community and country”.

Global Region 2 conducts PLTE lesson 4~7 online in Yemen 

In January, Global Region 2 gave PLTE lesson 4~7 online to Lamia Al Sharabi, freelance Journalist and Taiz University lecturer. 
Lamia Al Sharabi said, “Through this education, I learned that peace starts from me and spreads to the society, nation, and world and that peace is broken because of people’s greed and selfishness. I hope everyone understands and respects each other without competing. PLTE is even more interesting and meaningful than any other school education. I hope that students at school can also experience PLTE.”

Tanzania Branch has a meeting to discuss PLTE Graduation Ceremony 

On Jan 7, Tanzania Branch(Branch Manager Pendo Addie Mwasakyeni) came together with peace lecturer Lilian Benedict Msaki and 5 other staff members to discuss the PLTE Graduation Ceremony that will take place in Tanzania at the end of February.

DPCW Support Campaigns

-Uniting and advocating for the UN adoption of the DPCW all around the world

Melbourne Branch conducts DPCW campaigns

On Jan 27, Melbourne Branch of Australia(Branch Manager Jesmeen Kaur Khera Bachan Singh) conducted a DPCW support campaign at Melbourne City Center, promoting IWPG and the DPCW and gathering 40 signatures.

Networking and Cooperation

-Meeting with citizens who want peace

Global Region 3 Holds 2024 Opening Meeting

Global Region 3 held the 2024 Opening Meeting with a total of 60 participants including every staff of Global Region 3 and representatives of the Peace Committee and Peace Supporter Association. The participants watched a video of IWPG’s peace work and presented the main activities from last year and plans for this year.
Dasol Kim, Representative of the Peace Supporter Association of Tongyeong Branch, Korea, said: “We have sponsored Fruition, the year-end fundraising event by holding a concert and bazaar at the end of last year and promised to support the DPCW and to become one for peace with 60 participants.”
Four representatives of the Peace Committee announced their opinions and working plans for 2024. Shanthi Socrates, Representative of Chennai Peace Committee, India, said, “Through cultural activities to express peace, I intend to plant peace and harmony in the heart of people. I would like to hold a workshop with a theme of renewable energy for sustainable lives”.
Jansi Leela Sam Pakia John, Representative of Kanyakumari Peace Committee, India, announced working plans for this year, saying, “We are going to hold peace conferences and the International Loving-Peace Art Competition more than five times in five different colleges of engineering, arts and science”.
Rania Alam, Representative of the Dhaka Peace Committee, Bangladesh, said, “As an art teacher, I am working for the cultural and mental growth of children in peace. To make a positive influence on others, I will make an effort to practice all of the teachings myself”.
Batool Kazmi, Representative of the Karachi Peace Committee, Pakistan, said, “ Receiving the PLTE, I decided to participate in peace activities of IWPG. I will promote peace through the art and speech competition”.

IWPG Chennai Peace Committee holds Peace Culture Event to commemorate National Youth Day

On Jan 12, IWPG Chennai Peace Committee held an event under the theme of world peace to commemorate National Youth Day with Sanju Women’s Welfare Association and Rotary Club of Chennai E Shakthi at Sri RKM Sarada Vidyalaya matriculation higher secondary school. The event provided a chance to recognize the need for world peace for 200 student participants.

IWPG New Zealand Branch hosts International Women’s Peace Network Regular Meeting in January

On Jan 26, IWPG New Zealand Branch hosted an International Women’s Peace Network Regular Meeting on the in Oakland. Members who came to the meeting responded by saying, “It was wonderful to share and discuss different concepts and opinions about peace”, and “It’s great to build more bonds with IWPG members. We also want to find a way of pulling members together like this.”

IWPG Switzerland Branch holds Peace of Cake Gathering

On Jan 27, IWPG Switzerland Branch had a monthly gathering a.k.a ‘Peace of Cake at Migros Klubschule, Schaffhausen. Members who attended had time to write down activities of IWPG on the pigeon of peace.

Tokyo Branch in Japan holds Peace Network Regular Meeting

On Jan 27, IWPG Tokyo Branch in Japan(Branch Manager Ohki Kazumi) held a Peace Network Regular Meeting. With the participation of a total of 13 members, two PLTE lecturers led the meeting in the form of a quiz show entitled ‘The Point of Peace Education’ to introduce IWPG’s peace education.

Global Region 7 hosts Online ‘Women Focus Forum’ 

On Jan 20, Global Region 7 hosted the ‘Women Focus Forum’ with 70 people from 11 countries attending. After having a session to learn about the culture of respective countries, Johor Bahru Branch in Malaysia introduced their peace work in 2023. 
After that, Nina, who has taken the PLTE and is now working as a lecturer, gave a presentation on the importance of peace education. Neziha Labidi, Former Minister of Women, Family and Children of Tunisia, presented her experience of having attended the commemoration event of the 9th HWPL World Peace Summit in 2023 under the theme of “the significance of international law.”
The event under the title ‘Women Focus Forum’ continued with a discussion of all participants on how to achieve the 17 SDGs of the UN.

Global Region 2 holds a Welcoming Event for new overseas IWPG members 

On Jan 27, Global Region 2 held an online welcoming event with 100 participants including new overseas members from 20 countries such as Australia, Yemen, Tanzania, and Iraq and reporters worldwide. 
The event started with an introduction and highlight video of IWPG, followed by an explanation of IWPG’s visions and the duty of IWPG, a case presentation, and an introduction of PLTE. 
Global Region 2 shared the role and vision of peace activities and urged all the participants to continue to work with IWPG. The reporters who participated were also asked to actively report activities of peace. 
The case presentation explained how Lilian Benedict Msaki, regional representative of Health Africa, gave a speech at the 2023 International Women’s Peace Conference and how Dr. Shafiqa Saeed Abdo, Chairwoman of the Women's National Committee in Yemen, recruited 300 new IWPG members. 
In her congratulatory video, Lamia Al Eryani, founder of the Yemen Peace School, said, “Since joining IWPG in 2018, I engaged in various activities for peacebuilding. I hope all the new members work with IWPG to build a world of peace free from war so that everyone can live in safety and happiness.” 
Pharmacist Yeweinhareg Kassa, one of the participants, said, “I promise to dedicate myself to the peace of the Tanzanian people. I am sure this will succeed.” 
Regional Director Seo Yeon Lee said, “Peace is the strongest light that can transcend time and space and the boundaries of state, race, and ideology. This light will come together to brighten the future. From now on, countries that produces the most peace leaders with a sense of humanity will become the powers of the world, and all of you will be at the center.” 

Colombia Branch meets with Gloria Elizabeth Vargas Varon, Ambassador of Peace of Fundacion Conacce Chaplains 

On Jan 8, Colombia Branch(Branch Manager Ha Eun) met online with Gloria Elizabeth Vargas Varon, lawyer and Ambassador of Peace of Fundacion Conacce Chaplains.
During this meeting, the Branch Manager introduced IWPG and promoted PLTE, and the two discussed ways to host the 6th International Loving-Peace Art Competition at the national level so that more children and youth can participate.
Peace Ambassador Gloria Elizabeth Vargas Varon said, “Many religious people do not know how to realize peace. That is why we need peace education. I’m looking forward to the many changes stemming from this upcoming peace education.” 
She promised to invite Colombia government officials to the 6th International Loving-Peace Art Competition and help IWPG host the competition in 3 regions in Colombia. 

Global Region 2 meets with Jenan Mubarak Altamimi, Head of the Iraqi Center for Women Rehabilitation in Iraq 

On Jan 11, Global Region 2 met with Jenan Mubarak Altamimi, Head of the Iraqi Center for Women Rehabilitation in Iraq, online. 
Jenan Mubarak Altamimi said, “It was nice to see and hear about IWPG’s work. I will think of ways to cooperate with IWPG going forward. I think we can do a lot of peace work in Iraq with women.” 

Kenya Branch holds Uganda Kenya Kick-off Workshop 2024

On Jan 25, Kenya Branch(Branch Manager Sophy Aketch) held the Uganda Kenya Kick-off Workshop 2024, which was attended by heads and staff of MOA organizations and a reporter from TND news. The participants discussed how to take part in the International Loving-Peace Art Competition and other peace events of IWPG.

Cambodia Branch hosts Kick-off Peace Workshop 2024

On Jan 13, Cambodia Branch(Branch Manager Hoy Sochivanny) hosted Kick-off Peace Workshop 2024 in Phnom Penh. The event was attended by twelve representatives of IWPG’s support groups and three PLTE graduates and a reporter from BTV. In part 1, the groups introduced the each of their peace work and the agenda of the Cambodia Branch in 2024. Part 2 was an opportunity to discuss plans to cooperate with IWPG.

Berlin Branch in Germany meets Kani Alavi

On Jan 16, Berlin Branch in Germany(Branch Manager Yingyan Cao) discussed with Kani Alavi, the representative of the East Side Gallery, plans to cooperate for activities in 2024. Kani Alavi, who is planning to establish a museum in front of the Berlin Wall, agreed to set up a Peace Monument of IWPG as well.

Ulaanbaatar Branch in Mongolia has online meeting with Peace Committee Representatives

Ulaanbaatar Branch in Mongolia(Branch Manager Tumurkhuyag Enkhtaivan) presented a report of 2023 and a New Year’s briefing to 14 peace committee representatives from six Aimags. They promised continuous participation and support to proceed with all events of IWPG and to recruit high-level officials and PLTE students.

Promotional Activities

-Efforts to expand peace projects

Rotterdam Branch in Netherlands conducts IWPG Promotion Activities

On Jan 27, Rotterdam Branch in the Netherlands(Branch Manager Niurka van Adrichem) conducted with outdoor networking activities as part of the International Women’s Peace Network Regular Meeting. Through the activity to introduce and promote IWPG in the square, they managed to get 30 new membership sign-ups.