IWPG 2024 June Newsletter

     67th  

Jun 2024  

The preliminary rounds of the International Women Peace Group (IWPG)’s 6th International Loving-Peace Art Competition started to take place all around the world in May. This competition is part of IWPG’s peace culture initiative, allowing children to imagine and draw about peace. It has been held in major cities all around the world every year, and this year marks the 6th year. IWPG is also working to build various peace partnerships through MOU/MOAs, urge for the institutionalization of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), provide Women’s Peace Education, and promote peace, laying the foundation for female solidarity and world peace.

MOU/A Signing for Peace Projects

-Women Around the World Uniting Under Peace

Seodaemun Branch signs a peace MOA with Korea Women Association

On May 1, Seodaemun Branch signed an MOA with Korea Women Association to strengthen partnership and mutual cooperation for women peace activities. 
The two organizations agreed to hold consistent regular meetings, conduct peace education, promote and gather support for the DPCW, train female peace leaders, and engage in the carbon reduction international women’s campaign. 
Bong Ae Oh, the president of Korea Women Association, said, “I’ve watched IWPG for a long time. I was moved my IWPG’s effort to bring all women together for the work of peace. Korea Women Association wishes to work with IWPG.”

Global Region 2 signs MOA with CEDRO from Peru 

On May 9, Global Region 2 (Regional Director Seo Yeon Lee) signed a peace MOA with Centro de Informacion y Educacion para la Prevencion del Abuso de Drogas (CEDRO) online. 
CEDRO, established in 1986, is a private NGO in Lima that is running a shelter for children exposed to the risk of drug abuse. 
Carmen Masias Claux, the president of CEDRO, said, “I was moved by IWPG’s international activities. I want to raise women’s voices for peace with IWPG. I will participate in the International Loving-Peace Art Competition with the children in our organization.”

Global Region 2 signs MOA with Palestinian Center for Communication and Development Strategies 

On May 14, Global Region 2 signed an MOA with Palestinian Center for Communication and Development Strategies (PCCDS). 
Palestinian Center for Communication and Development Strategies is a non-profit, non-governmental organization registered in Hebron in 2009. It works for the social, economic, political empowerment of women, and youth at the international level and the protection of the rights of socially marginalized groups. 
Jamil Derbashi, the president of PCCDS, said, “PCCDS is honored to start a peace partnership within Palestine with IWPG, starting from the International Loving-Peace Art Competition.”

Colombia Branch cooperates with Carlos Pizarro Leongomez IED 

On My 20, Colombia Branch (Branch Manager Ha Eun) signed an MOU with Carlos Pizarro Leongomez IED and held a meeting regarding the drawings from the International Loving-Peace Art Competition. The principal, Nubia Lancheros Roldan, encouraged other people to join IWPG while also explaining the value of this event to the students.

The International Loving-Peace Art Competition

Buea, Cameroon

On May 27, Buea Peace Committee of Cameroon held the International Loving-Peace Art Competition at Baptist Comprehensive High School with a total of 14 students. Lavngnag Jennia, Nyugap Candy Faith, and Amuh Bright were the award winners.

Yaounde, Cameroon 

On May 21 and 22, Global Region 4 held the International Loving-Peace Art Competition in Cameroon Yaounde Mario School and Groupe Scolaire Bilingue Francois-Soh respectively. There were a total of 151 participants, including students and IWPG members and partners. 
Ngono Jiselle, Dignity Jireh Nasako, Tchinda Eden, and Angwi Gary Smith were the award winners from each division. 
The first place awardee, Ngono Jiselle, said, “I’m really happy. I want to spread peace all around the world, including my country.”

Yangon Branch, Myanmar

Yangon Branch in Myanmar (Branch Manager Crystal Po Gyaw) held the International Loving-Peace Art Competition preliminary on May 25. 25 students from all grades participated with their parents. 
La Woon Thinzar, Saw Junior Jewel Macario, Hsu Labb Win Lwin, and Naw Mindy Myrrh were awarded from each division. 
Branch Manager Crystal Po Gyaw said, “It was difficult to arrange an outdoor event due to circumstances in Myanmar, but all the Branch staff came together as one and fulfilled their duty. Thanks to that, we were able to hold this event as a success. I’m proud of the talented participants. I hope that the mindset of peace spreads in Myanmar like the drawings of the participants.” 

Rwanda

On May 17, Rwanda held the preliminary of the International Loving-Peace Art Competition at Rwanda Groupe Scolaire APADE. 200 participated in the school preliminary, and 18 participants advanced to the international preliminary. 
Muberarugo Emmanuella, Habarurema Shima Best, Sangwa Shema Yannick, and Amani Balagizi Nelson were the award winners from each division. 
Ntirikina Jean Jacques, an art teacher of Groupe Scolair APADE and the organizer of this event, said, “The competition was very exciting, and the theme was good. The students’ skills have improved compared to last year, and they are more enthusiastic. They really enjoyed drawing. Their drawing moved all of us, and everyone, including the teachers, students, and judges, were all satisfied.” 

Rotterdam Branch, Netherlands 

Rotterdam Branch of Netherlands (Branch Manager Niurka van Adrichem) held the International Loving-Peace Art Competition preliminary on May 4. 14 students participated in person, while 6 students joined from Zoom. The participants dreamed of a world where everyone in the world lives in harmony without suffering.

Morocco

Paris Branch (Branch Manager Femy orianne Radji) held the International Loving-Peace Art Competition in Casablanca, Morocco in cooperation with INSAF. Approximately 30 children came together to think about the value of peace. The Branch also held a peace workshop and quiz so that the participants could understand peace better. Ashraf Ibra, the partnership manager of INSAF, and Yusef Shoukhi, project manager, contributed to the operation of the event.

East Gyeonggi Branch, Korea 

On May 19, East Gyeonggi Branch (Branch Manager Soon Jwa Park) held the preliminary of the International Loving-Peace Art Competition in Hwang-Guemsan Park with 100 children and youth participating. 
Artist Hyeon Ha Kim, the judge of the event, said, “I was so happy with the event, and the children truly expressed ‘oneness with peace’. What’s more important than the results or the awards is giving children an opportunity to think about other children living in war and suffering.

Pakistan

Global Region 10 (Regional Director Baek Lee Jo) held the preliminary of the International Loving-Peace Art Competition at Brightstar Montessori School in Iqbal town in Islamabad, Pakistan. This school signed an MOA with IWPG last year, and 300 students from all grades participated this year. 

On May 15, 30 students participated in the International Loving-Peace Art Competition preliminary that took place at International School Karachi in Pakistan, held by Global Region 3. 
Batool Kazmi, a teacher of International School Karachi and an IWPG Peace Committee Representative, said, “Peace culture is crucial for children, and all the participants had an opportunity to express their creativity for peace.”

On May 1, Global Region 3 held the International Loving-Peace Art Competition preliminary at School of International Studies in Science & Arts in Lahor, Pakistan with 45 participants. Principal Saeeda Salim said, “It was a meaningful time for children this year and well, and I hope they have an opportunity to experience peace through this competition.”

Turkiye

On May 9, Global Region 10 held the International Loving-Peace Art Competition preliminary and award ceremony at Istanbul Ka?ıthane Final Schools in Turkiye with 50 children, parents, and teachers.

Texas, U.S.A.

On May 24, Global Region 10 held the International Loving-Peace Art Competition at Texas Uplift School with 20 participants. London McCray, Samantha, and Hannah Gonzalez were the award winners from each division.

Daegu, Pohang, Gyeongju, Andong Branch, Korea 

Global Region 5 (Regional Director Su Jin Park) hosted the International Loving-Peace Art Competition preliminary with the 4 branches in Korea on May 11 and 18. 660 students in the Daegu Gyeongbuk area and dreamed of peace.
Lina Kim, one of the participants, said, “I was heartbroken by the situation in Nigeria when no one was aiding the country even though people were dying from war. I researched on wars and made material on it. I’m happy that I was able to express it through my drawing.” Another participant, So Min Han, said, “I thought of other children around the world suffering from war. I wouldn’t know what to do if war broke out in Korea. I hope peace is realized as soon as possible.”

Daejeon, Korea

On May 18, Global Region 10 held the International Loving-Peace Art Competition at Daejeon Expo Hall. The event was co-hosted by the six branches in Korea and Central Association for Social Safety Prevention. 650 students, parents, IWPG members, VIPs, and staff gathered for the event. Esther Kim, the first place of the high school division, said, “I hope that the small efforts of everyone come together to make peace. That is what I thought while drawing.”

Uganda Branch

Uganda Branch (Branch Manager Atuhura Primrose) held the International Loving-Peace Art Competition at Cruciform International Ministries on May 10. 27 children from Cruciform International Ministries participated. 

Iksan Branch, Korea

On May 18, Iksan Branch (Branch Manager Young Sun Jeon) held the International Loving-Peace Art Competition at Bandabi Sports Center within Iksan Sports Complex on May 18 with Iksan-si Federation of Disabled Persons, gathering 150 students and parents. 

Kenya Branch

Kenya Branch (Branch Manager Sophy Aketch) held the International Loving-Peace Art Competition on May 25 and June 13 in Kenya.
The competition was first held at Deliverance Church Kiserian with 12 elementary and 11 middle school students. The Branch educated children on the atrocity of war and value of peace, and the female teachers were introduced to PLTE. 
After that, the same competition took place at Manywanda B Comprehensive School with 50 students. 

Incheon, Korea

On May 18, the Korean branches of Global Region 9 (Regional Director Mi Sook Lim) jointly held the International Loving-Peace Art Competition at Bupyeong Park with 700 children and youth. 
IWPG prepared other programs like calligraphy, face painting, and craft making such as key chains. There was also a raffle event to give presents to the participants. 
On Afghanistan child said, “I’m terrified because I see a lot of soldiers on the street. Women can’t go to school or go outside. I don’t want to go back home and I want to live in Korea, where it is peaceful.”

India