IWPG Newsletter No. 94
2026.10.01
As autumn approaches, women leaders from around the world gathered in Cheongju, South Korea, to set a new milestone for sustainable peace.
In this newsletter, we take you back to the exciting "2026 International Women's Peace Conference"!
The Power of Women to Achieve Everyday Peace: Global Peace Governance Designed in Cheongju
Women Leaders from 31 Countries Gather in One Place
From September 16 to 20, the 2026 International Women's Peace Conference—a celebration of women peace leaders from around the world—was successfully held in Cheongju, Korea. Over 800 participants—including government officials, experts from international organizations, and civil society activists—gathered under the theme "Everyday Peace, Women's Power: Shaping Global Governance" to embark on a meaningful journey toward transforming small acts of peace in daily life into policies and norms for the international community.
📍 Conference Highlights
1. Building Practical Governance
- MOUs Signed with 12 Organizations from 8 Countries: In partnership with local governments, educational institutions, and civil society organizations worldwide—including Ambato City, Ecuador—the conference marked the beginning of sustainable collaborative projects.
- Announcement of the "2026 Global Women's Peace Recommendations": By synthesizing the voices of approximately 1,070 people from 46 countries on the ground, IWPG called for women's empowerment in decision-making, an integrated safety net, and solidarity in PLTE. IWPG plans to officially proclaim the recommendations in various platforms including the UN, the African Union (AU), and other organizations.
👉 Download the Full Text of the 2026 Global Women's Peace Recommendations - Media Conference: A press conference was held for global media outlets to convey to the international community the current state of women's human rights in conflict zones, such as Afghanistan, and to deliver a message on peacebuilding.
2. Side Events Expanding the Scope of the Peace Agenda
IWPG co-hosted four Side Events with partners, including the Women's Caucus of the Gauteng Provincial Parliament in South Africa; the Ambato City in Ecuador; and Cemujer, a Mexican women's rights organization.
- Peace and the AI Era: discussions on threats to peace amid the digital transformation and women's participation in technology governance
- Peace Education and Women's Leadership: Strategies for fostering women's leadership to drive change in local communities
- Peace and Future Generation: Exploring sustainable peace practices led by adolescents and young adults
- Civil Society and Peace: Sharing examples of grassroots activists resolving conflicts on the ground and building solidarity
3. Building Practical Capacity and Academic Infrastructure
- Academic Network: We discussed building a university-centered educational ecosystem by sharing the example of establishing a Peace Committee at the Juárez Autonomous University of Tabasco (UJAT) in Mexico and training official instructors.
- Peace Chapter Workshop: Starting from 2027, IWPG plans to transform the IWPG Peace Committee into an expert "policy advisory body" and locally-based, self-sustaining "Peace Chapters." Through this, IWPG plans to establish region-specific action strategies with chapter leaders worldwide.
💬 Words from Leaders at the Event
"There is no need to empower women."
| "Women's capabilities already exist. What is lacking are the fair conditions and opportunities for them to fully exercise those capabilities."
"Simply taking a seat is not enough."
| "Securing a place for women at the negotiating table is merely the first step. No peace agreement can be sustainable if women—who make up half of society—are not involved as key actors in shaping peace."
"When individual experiences connect, they become a force for social change."
| "When the small actions and voices of diverse women lead to public knowledge and institutional change, the peace of everyday life can finally change the world."
📸 Behind the Scene: A 5-Day Festival for Peace Activists
Held once a year in South Korea, this gathering of women peace activists was enriched by networking sessions and peace tours throughout the conference. From networking with members in Korea to a visit to the Jikji Museum in Cheongju, tours of the Hanok Village and Gyeongbokgung Palace, and K-Beauty experiences—check out the gallery on the "2026 International Women's Peace Conference" website to see the joyful and meaningful encounters these peace activists shared across South Korea! 🌼
🇮🇳 G3 visits Southern India to expand peace cooperation with civil society and universities
Last August, the Global Region 3 delegation visited the Chennai, Kanyakumari, and Nagercoyl regions of India to engage with local civil society, women's organizations, specialized institutions, and universities, thereby laying the groundwork for local peace cooperation.
During their visit, the delegation collaborated with the Chennai Peace Committee to host a Peace Letter event, in which citizens documented the value of peace in their daily lives. Subsequently, they signed MOUs with the Women's India Association (WIA) and the Kanyakumari Peace Foundation, respectively, agreeing to collaborate on women's empowerment and the promotion of PLTE in local communities. They also held a Peace Talk with representatives from the Nagercoyl Rotary Club and MGM Healthcare to discuss ways to put peace into practice by integrating expertise in the fields of volunteerism and healthcare.
Collaborations with educational institutions also continued. The delegation visited Holy Cross University—Kanyakumari's first women's university—and the Women's Christian College - Nagercoil to convey the value of practicing peace in daily life and academic fields. They also held lectures and roundtable discussions at Grace Institutions, PET Engineering College, CET College of Nursing, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, and Dr. MGR-Janaki College of Arts and Science for Women, emphasizing the roles and social responsibilities of young people and women.
Through this visit, IWPG established an institutional exchange channel by signing agreements with influential local women's organizations and foundations, and secured a foundation for practical activities by holding concrete discussions with multiple higher education institutions on plans to implement formal PLTE.
On Sep 18, Global Region 2 held a special networking meeting at the Conference, attended by 36 key global members. With these international experts from various fields—including women's policy, education, civil society, culture and the arts, and media—in attendance, the event served as a platform for international exchange, featuring activities such as writing peace cards to share messages of peace with one another.
G6 held a peace forum on Sep 19 at the UNESCO International Trade Center in Chungju. With 100 members in attendance, the event—themed "Everyday Peace, Our Next Year"—provided an opportunity to share the lessons and insights gained from the conference and to pledge to practice peace in their respective roles over the coming year.
From Aug 25 to Sep 15, G2 conducted PLTE for 17 local women at a Nasma & Basma Association office in the Benin region of Lebanon. The in-person training provided participants with an opportunity to broaden their understanding of peace and reflect on their roles as active agents in building peace in their own lives and local communities.
The Berlin Branch participated in a cultural event held on Aug 16 at Pariser Platz near the Brandenburg Gate. The event, attended by 500 citizens—including representatives from the arts and culture sectors and civil society organizations—raised public awareness of the importance of peace, justice, tolerance, and mutual respect through music, speeches, and artistic activities.
The three Mongolian branches attended the "House of Friendship" event, held on Aug 23 in Ulaanbaatar at the Civil Society Engagement Space of UNCCD COP17. At this event, which is part of Mongolia's WPS public outreach program, the Mongolian branches introduced IWPG's key activities in Mongolia and discussed future collaboration plans.
The Johannesburg Branch attended a celebration on Aug 29 to mark the release of the special magazine "70@70 Mfazi," co-hosted by South Africa's Ministry of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, IWPG, and Access Chapter 2, as part of Women's Month celebrations. The magazine featured a prominent introduction to the IWPG, and Steve Retchke, Deputy Minister of the Department, promised to actively support the IWPG's PLACE campaign so that it can take root locally.
The Korean branches under G9 held a forum on Aug 31 with approximately 150 civil society representatives and local leaders from the Incheon area in attendance. Under the theme "Peace Built Together, Incheon Growing Together," participants discussed experiences and strategies to spread a culture of peace within the region and strengthen solidarity and cooperation among civil society organizations.
On Aug 28, the Gwangju-nam Branch held an International Women's Peace Network Regular Meeting on "Understanding and Communicating Peace and Human Rights." With 40 people in attendance, the event included a Q&A session on current local issues, serving as an opportunity to build consensus on practicing peace within the community.
On Aug 22, the Cheongju Branch held a meeting for citizens at the Deokbeol Sharing Center. The event included an introduction to the IWPG organization and PLTE, as well as a "Make Your Own Peace Fan" workshop where participants wrote their peace messages on fans, helping them feel a deeper connection to peace.
On Aug 25, the Wonju Branch conducted a volunteer activity to plant cabbage seedlings as part of an initiative for vulnerable groups ahead of the coming winter. The cabbage seedlings, planted in collaboration with local partner organizations including the Wonju City Volunteer Center, will be harvested in 90 days, made into kimchi, and distributed to neighbors.
On Aug 30, the Asan Branch, together with the Korean Red Cross Asan District "Hope Plus" Volunteer Society and the Baebang Lions Club, visited the homes of reclusive and isolated youth in Baebang-eup to conduct a thorough cleaning. By cleaning every corner of the homes to create a comfortable and safe living environment, this served as an opportunity to care for marginalized neighbors alongside the local community and to put sharing and care into practice.
In September, IWPG signed MOUs with 12 major institutions and organizations from 8 countries to jointly promote women’s empowerment and a culture of peace on the global stage.
The IWPG Headquarters and Global Regions are laying the groundwork for local solidarity to support communities and future generations worldwide. We are proud to announce our new partnerships with:
- Global Region HQ & 10: City of Ambato (Ecuador)
- Global Region 1: MIN 27 Aceh Besar, Aisyiyah, Flower Aceh, and Serikat Inong Aceh (Indonesia)
- Global Region 2: Daughters of Jerusalem Youth and Families, and Sunrise Community Inc. (Australia)
- Global Region 3: Women’s Indian Association, Peace Trust Kanyakumari (India), and Canada Humanitarian Initiatives (Canada)
- Global Region 6: Nurturing Foundation and Mahtshen CIC (United Kingdom)
- Global Region 11: Voice for Change (Papua New Guinea)
Please stay tuned to witness the meaningful changes and steps toward mutual growth that we will create together with our partners!
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