IWPG (International Women’s Peace Group) held the International Loving-Peace Art Competition. Additionally, IWPG proceeded with signing MOU/MOAs, advocating for the legislation of the DPCW, promoting the activation of the PLTE, networking with civil society, and spreading a culture of peace.

IWPG (Chairwoman Hyun Sook Yoon) held the 7th International Loving-Peace Art Competition (ILPAC) in major cities around the world in May and June.
Held under the theme, “What can we(I) do for peace,” the competition was an opportunity for children across all continents—Asia, Oceania, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and America—to express their desire for peace through drawing.

In Australia, the Melbourne branch (Branch Manager Jesmeen Khera) held the preliminary award ceremony at Yarra Valley Grammar School and Tarneit Rise Primary School on June 16 and 17, respectively. There were 100 participants, including principal Dr. Merry and teacher Sacha Gough. Alivin Jin (9) won 1st place, followed by Orland Lewis (9) and Zayna Ashhar (9).
Sacha Gough said, “It moved me to see the growth of the children through their drawings and thoughts of peace. I really hope this competition continues next year.”

On June 22, 134 people, including students, teachers, and parents, participated in the competition held in Pakkred Secondary School in Thailand. The 1st place winners from each division were Thanawan Luangklang, Anunporn Thepkan, and Chananya Thongthoi.
Chuanjit Chomudom, the head teacher, said, “The children brilliantly expressed the concept of peace and the cessation of war. Through the art competition, children were able to think about world peace, and if the world unites as one, I am sure that peace will come.”

In Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar Branch (Branch Manager Tumurkhuyag Enkhtaivan) held the preliminary judging at Premium Palace Hotel on June 10. Budzagd Nandin-Erdene, a professor, and Onon Urijnkhand, from a Mongolian artist association, judged more than 1,000 drawings from 37 institutions.

In Malaysia, the IWPG Johor Bahru team held the competition on June 23, where multiple young people came together to draw about harmony and peace.

In Korea, the branches of Global Region 9 (Regional Director Lim Mi Suk) jointly held the exhibition “Small Hand Creating Peace” at the Michuhol Exhibition Hall of the Incheon Foundation for Arts & Culture from June 7 to 12. This exhibition showcased the award-winning pieces from the 1st to 7th competition, displaying children’s messages for peace from all over the world.
Also on June 14, the award ceremony was held in Incheon Seo-gu Office, presenting the award for 1st~3rd place, the Recognition Award, and Special Award for each division.

On June 14, the Gunsan Branch (Branch Manager Hwang Sol-hui) held the preliminary round of the 7th ILPAC at the IWPG Gunsan Branch Office, with the participation of around 130 elementary, middle, and high school students.

In the preliminary round, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards were given in each school division, along with several special awards. The special awards included the Governor’s Award, the Gunsan City Council Chairman Award, the Gunsan Police Station Chief Award, and the Gunsan Coast Guard Station Chief Award.

Branch Director Hwang Sol-hui stated, “With a heart that loves peace, we first embraced peace within ourselves and held this competition to spread the message of peace to people around the world. I believe that the participating students, through drawing their artwork, had time to reflect deeply on the meaning of peace.”

Kim Tae-hee, a 6th-grade student at Susong Elementary School who won 1st place in the competition, shared her thoughts: “I drew my picture with a heart full of love for peace, and I’m truly thankful and happy to have received the 1st place award through this event.”

In the Middle East, Global Region 2 (Regional Director Seo Yeon Lee) held the ILPAC preliminary online with 100 children and parents from 4 countries—Yemen, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Jordan. The drawings depicted genuine messages of peace, such as pencils instead of tanks, the symbol of war; people holding hands instead of being separated by wired fences; and flower petals instead of falling bombs.
Journalists, including Mahmoud Al-Shabool, head of Soura Magazine, and Raja Aaad from Arab ERimates Dubai TV, also participated. Visual artist Dr. Ahlam Beydoun of Fine Arts Forum in Lebanon said, “Art is the shared language of humanity. The peace drawings today will become the seed of harmony and stability across generations.”

In Africa, Uganda Branch (Branch Manager Sara Atwongire) held the preliminary award ceremony on June 7 with 200 people at Ivory Hotel in Kampala. One 8-year-old participant, Mpaulo Abigail, said, “Peace is happy and joyful and not harming others.” His drawing, titled “How to Achieve Peace,” moved the hearts of many.

In Namibia, 38 children participated from Moses Van Der Byl School in Windhoek, and there was also a surprise performance from a popular singer.

On June 24, the Madagascar branch hosted the competition in Kid’s Hope Soamanandrariny in Antananarivo on June 24. On June 17, the IWPG Mali team held a workshop with Maimouna Traore from AFARMU, an organization that the Minister of Gender is affiliated to, with 24 people.

On June 4 and 18, the Berlin branch of Germany (Branch Manager Yingyan Cao) held the art competition in 2 Red Cross refugee centers in Germany (Radickestr and Kablower). Refugee children from various countries were very enthusiastic about the program and requested that the competition be held in other neighboring shelters/centers in the area.

On June 18, Global Region 10 held the competition with 100 participants at Ozel Aramyan Uncuyan Ermeni Likokulu-Ortaokulu in Istanbul, Turkey. Regional Director Hwa Jung Kim expressed her greetings online and stressed the brotherhood between Korea and Turkey.

The IWPG Czech team held the preliminary ceremony on June 28, and Justýna Koubová, a famous YouTube creator, joined as a special guest and shared encouraging words to the children.

On June 22, the ILPAC preliminary event in New York, U.S.A., had to be moved indoors last minute due to sudden rainfall, but the event was a success thanks to the swift response of the New York branch and the passion of the participants. The children and parents stayed until the end and shared messages of peace.

IWPG’s Women Peace Education program is spreading all around the world, producing 200 graduates from 5 continents, including Asia and Europe.

On June 13, Global Region 2 held the 2025 Middle East Joint Women’s Peace Education Completion Ceremony online. 53 people from 4 Middle East countries—Yemen, Jordan, Iraq, and Libya—completed the education in the first half of 2025.
During the ceremony, 5 outstanding students who participated actively and demonstrated the value of peace were awarded. The Outstanding Peace Education Award was given to Heyam Saleh Bin Saleh Omar (Yemen), Fatima Balagem (Yemen), Ghalia Sasi (Libya), and Wafa’a Ali M Al-Kurdi (Jordan). Naglaa Saad (Yemen) received the Certificate of Appreciation.
Heyam Saleh Bin Saleh Omar said, “Where livelihoods have been destroyed by war, peace is not an option but a matter of survival. The phrase ‘No to war and conflict, yes to a world without suffering’ motivated me to change my life.”
Regional Director Seo Yeon Lee said, “Real peace does not end with learning but is realized when we practice it in our lives. I hope the actions of each graduate echoes around the world.”

Global Region 5 (Regional Director Sujin Park) held the first Women’s Peace Education Completion Ceremony with Thakur Shyamnarayan kandivali B.ed college in Mumbai, India, on June 28. This education session was the joint work of the two organizations in the first half of the year, and 60 people participated.
The students all said that they experienced inner change and the value of peace, beyond mere knowledge acquisition. Educator Dhara Kapadia said, “As a teacher, I must practice inclusiveness first for my class to be peaceful.” Sana Aunali Rupani said, “Peace starts from loving your family.”

On June 16, the Manila Branch of the Philippines held the Women’s Peace Education Completion Ceremony for 22 people at Negros Occidental Functional Hall in Batang Himamaylan Functional Hall in Batang Himamaylan.
124 people, including Hinigaran Mayor Nadied, Vice Mayor Mary Grace, PLTE graduates, and IWPG members, participated.
One graduate said, “I choose a peaceful life. Conflicts may occur due to different perspectives, but a person with inner peace is the true messenger of peace.”
In her congratulatory remarks, Mayor Nadied said, “What can we do to achieve peace? Some must teach and guide people properly, and only then can we sustain peace in our lives. I thank IWPG and the instructors of Hinigaran peace education for their commitment to female empowerment.”

The IWPG Czech team provided peace education online in May and June to women in the Czech Republic and Ukraine. Multiple women who have experienced war firsthand joined the lessons themed “The Virtues of Global Citizens,” “Peace and Culture,” and “Peace and War.”
The students said, “By sharing each other’s individual experiences and emotions, I realized once again the importance of inner peace.” Another student said, “This program was an opportunity to form empathy and solidarity among women.”

IWPG is actively engaging with local communities in various ways.

Simbock Peace Committee in Cameroon held the Peace Committee meeting at Presbyterian church Simbock-Mendong on June 23. There were a total of 20 participants, and the event provided peace education catered to widows.
Etaka Eyong Elsie, the Representative of Simbock Peace Committee and Goodwill Ambassadors and Monitoring and Evaluation officer (journalist) of Hope, gave an opening speech, followed by an introduction of IWPG, a panel discussion on “Voices for Peace and Development for Widows (the Responsibility of Family Communities), and a Q&A session. At the end, there was a prayer session for widows.
The event was also investigated by PCC TV and covered on Prime Time News.
Representative Etaka Eyong Elsie said, “It was very meaningful to spend this time with widows. I think we should have more of these opportunities, other than just celebrating International Widow’s Day. We need more economic and social support for peace awareness so that widows can live equal lives.”

On June 21, Global Region 1 signed an MOU with Kids and Teens Resource Center, a Nigerian UN ECOSOC NGO (Representative Martin Mary Falana), online to build a peace education system.
Through this MOU, both organizations agreed to share peace education contents and curriculum, dispatch instructors, support education operations, issue certificates, create related activities, share guidelines on Peace Committee establishment, and cooperate for international promotion.
Representative Martin Mary Falana said, “I’m sure this partnership has great meeting in terms of world peace. I look forward to women spreading peace and changing the world.”
After the MOU signing, the PLTE orientation was held. Ameh Betty, a graduate of class 25-1-1 and a Peace Committee representative, said, “Peace education allows you to understand the causes of conflict and proposes solutions, which will bring transformative change to individuals and the community.” The PTLE students will complete 10 lessons and work as peace instructors in their communities.

The Tokyo branch of Japan (Branch Manager Ohki Kazumi) held the June International Women’s Peace Network meeting both online and offline at Shibuya Education Center in Tokyo. A total of 66 people, including members, staff, and students, participated in a special program that mixed Japanese traditional culture with modern peace dialogue.
The event started with a special performance by Oikawa Yoko. Next, there was a panel discussion on “Peace that begins with me.” Nakano Takayuki, representative of NGO Piece of Syria; Takahashi Junko, former middle school principal; Kitani Kimiko, online novel writer; and Komine, professor of Momoyama Gakuin University in Osaka, participated in the discussion and shared their insights on peace.

The Iksan Branch of Korea (Branch Manager Yoon Jihee) held a peace culture experience event for multicultural families on June 21 at Iksan Jungang Sports Park.

The event was hosted by the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Chapter of the Photo Artist Society of Korea and jointly organized by the Iksan Branch of the same society, led by Director Park Heon-jae, and the IWPG Iksan Branch.

Despite the heavy rain, a total of 95 participants—including 15 members of the Photo Artist Society of Korea, 20 members of IWPG Iksan Branch, and 19 multicultural families—joined the event, taking part in photography and various peace-related cultural experiences.

The day’s program included activities where children painted on traditional fans and wrote messages of peace. A unique experience was also offered where children created flags of their parents’ home countries using handprints.

Manager Yoon Jihee said, “We prepared this program so that children from multicultural families could take pride in their parents’ diverse cultural backgrounds and personally experience the value of peace.” She added, “Hearing the children’s laughter while making the flags with their handprints made the whole event feel worthwhile.”

As a mother and woman, I thought one day: “What can I do as a woman?” “What is the status of women in our community?” Then, I learned of IWPG through the Gangneung branch manager.
It started with mere interest, but I was inspired by women who are spreading the message of peace all around the world amidst danger. The phrase “Peace begins with me” resonated in my heart and motivated me to work with IWPG.

The International Women’s Peace Conference held in Incheon and the Loving-Peace Art Competition are the most memorable.
Through the Only Peace Conference, I could meet women leaders from various countries, and I can never forget their grace and commitment. I learned of various ways to practice peace, and their commitment toward promoting and supporting the DPCW inspired me. After that day, I started introducing IWPG to the people around me and engaging in promotion activities.
During the International Loving-Peace Art Competition for children, drawings of children smiling and holding hands in a world without war made me think: “How can we pass on peace to the next generation?” The answer is education and the role of a mother. That is why I am working as a peace instructor and providing peace education to many people.

Peace is not something grand, but something that starts in our daily lives. The warm word of a mother spreads to the child, and the child shares it with their friends and school. The warmth spreads across society.
Women are the first agent of peace in the household. I also believe the voice of women is critical to education, community activities, politics and international relations. True transformation begins when women work together.

To me, peace is a “genuine heart” hidden behind war and conflict.
War and conflict usually do not occur according to one’s will, but from some outside force. Inside, I think everyone has the “desire for peace.” It is sometimes not manifested, but it is a small but valuable mindset.
So, as a peace instructor and Peace Committee representative, I want to bring that mindset of peace out of people. I will continue to look around me to find anyone hiding this heart of peace inside and continue to give them an opportunity to express it, step by step.