Monday, April 27, 2026

WPG Suncheon Branch Holds Regular Women’s Peace Network Meeting in Seonamsa Area… “Experiencing Peace in

April 27, 2026 0 Comments

IWPG Suncheon Branch Holds Regular Women’s 
Peace Network Meeting in Seonamsa Area… “Experiencing Peace in



The International Women’s Peace Group Suncheon branch recently hosted a meaningful gathering designed to experience peace in a natural setting. Held around Seonamsa Temple and nearby outdoor spaces, the event brought members together for connection and reflection. Participants engaged in conversations while enjoying the calm surroundings. The gathering offered an opportunity to revisit the importance of peace within the local community.

The event was also intended to strengthen a women-led peace network and encourage broader participation. Surrounded by blooming spring flowers, attendees spent time connecting in a relaxed and open atmosphere. They later took part in a creative activity using flowers to symbolize shared hopes for peace. This hands-on experience helped make the concept of peace feel more tangible and personal.

Interactive programs that followed further strengthened the bonds among members. Through cooperative activities, participants communicated naturally and built mutual understanding. Many shared that the clear weather and scenic surroundings brought a sense of inner refreshment. They also noted that the experience helped them feel closer to the idea of peace.

The organizer explained that the event was carefully planned to allow participants to experience peace firsthand in a natural environment. There are plans to continue expanding community-based, participatory programs in the future. Such efforts are expected to encourage more people to take interest in peace initiatives. The growing network reflects a shared commitment to building peace together.

Looking ahead, the Suncheon branch plans to continue a range of peace-related activities and programs. Special events and campaigns will help deepen engagement with the local community. Initiatives focused on strengthening women’s leadership are also expected to play an important role. Through consistent efforts, the value of peace is likely to spread even further.

Reference : https://vo.la/D0xZsvs
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Sunday, April 19, 2026

IWPG Peace-Love Art Contest Grows Fivefold in 8 Years… Children’s “Painting Peace” Moved the World

April 19, 2026 0 Comments

IWPG Peace-Love Art Contest Grows Fivefold in 8 Years… 
Children’s “Painting Peace” Moved the World



A special global stage where children share the value of peace through art continues to grow each year. Using colored pencils and brushes, they express the pain of war while imagining a brighter future. Their sincere voices through drawings are touching many people around the world. The pure perspective of children often delivers the message of peace more deeply than words.

The International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) Peace-Love Art Contest has now become a recognized international event. Since its launch in 2018, participation has increased significantly, drawing wider global attention. It is no longer just an art competition, but a platform where young people communicate through the theme of peace.

At the most recent contest, a child from Bangladesh received major attention for a powerful artwork. The drawing expressed a heartfelt desire for peace even in the midst of war and earned the highest honor. The emotional message created by a child resonated deeply beyond national borders.


Children’s imagination has also moved audiences in previous contests. Scenes of erasing the scars of war or flowers blooming over destroyed cities symbolized hope in creative ways. These artworks continue to deliver messages of healing and courage to viewers.

Experts say that artistic activities can also support emotional recovery. For children who have experienced war or conflict, art can become an important tool for expressing feelings and restoring inner peace. A single drawing can be the first step toward healing emotional wounds.

The 8th contest, scheduled for May, will be held under the theme My Peace Story. Students will be invited to freely express their own ideas of peace through art. As an event that welcomes broad participation, it is expected to create even greater empathy and communication across generations.

Reference : https://vo.la/AWWq4Qo
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Friday, April 17, 2026

The International Women’s Peace Group participates as a speaker at the NGO Forum during the UN CSW70.

April 17, 2026 0 Comments

The International Women’s Peace Group participates 
as a speaker at the NGO Forum during the UN CSW70.




In the global community, access to justice for women is increasingly seen as a cornerstone of sustainable peace rather than just a basic right. There is a growing understanding that true social justice begins with ensuring that women and girls are equally protected within legal systems. Alongside this shift, international organizations and NGOs are actively working together to address structural barriers. This reflects a broader recognition that peace must be built on tangible rights, not just ideals.

At a recent forum held in New York, the challenges faced by women and girls in accessing justice—particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa—were brought into focus. Experts and advocates from various countries discussed how institutional limitations and societal barriers restrict the realization of rights. There was a strong emphasis on the need for international cooperation to develop practical solutions. The conversation moved beyond identifying problems and toward implementing actionable strategies.

One of the speakers highlighted that access to justice for women is not optional but essential. She pointed out that when women are legally protected and respected, it creates the foundation for stability and peace across society. This perspective frames women’s rights not just as individual concerns, but as key elements of collective well-being. In this sense, legal protection becomes a fundamental building block for peace.

The discussions also placed strong emphasis on the importance of gender-sensitive legal support. Participants agreed that providing effective legal services for women and girls is a responsibility that governments must fulfill. They also noted that existing inequalities within judicial systems often hinder access to justice. As a result, concrete policy measures and practical solutions were proposed to address these gaps.

It was particularly emphasized that improving women’s legal status can help reduce community conflicts and contribute to peacebuilding. This is especially evident in conflict-affected regions, where empowering women often leads to greater social stability. There was a shared understanding of the need for a coordinated international response. Increasingly, women are being recognized as central actors in the pursuit of peace.

The forum also reinforced the idea that peace must go beyond declarations and be embedded in systems and real-world practices. It highlighted the importance of expanding women-led leadership in peace initiatives. Collaborative efforts among countries and organizations are expected to continue in promoting a culture of peace. While gradual, these changes are shaping a clear and meaningful global trend.

Reference : https://vo.la/IpKKlBz
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Wednesday, April 8, 2026

"Women’s Access to Justice Is Not a Choice, but a Condition for Peace"… IWPG Raises Its Voice at the UN CSW70.

April 08, 2026 0 Comments

"Women’s Access to Justice Is Not a Choice, but a Condition for Peace"… 
IWPG Raises Its Voice at the UN CSW70.



At the NGO Forum of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women held in New York, meaningful discussions took place on women's rights and peace. The event highlighted how essential it is for women and girls to have proper access to legal protection. Judicial access was addressed not just as a right, but as a critical factor influencing society as a whole. Participants from various countries shared perspectives and explored practical solutions together.

The forum placed particular focus on the legal barriers faced by women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa. It examined how institutional limitations and structural challenges directly affect their daily lives. Various models and strategies were introduced to address these issues. This reinforced the awareness of the international community’s role and responsibility in creating change.

The speaker emphasized that meaningful social transformation is only possible when access to justice for women is expanded. It was conveyed that communities can grow stronger when women's rights are protected. The importance of building lasting peace on solid institutional foundations was also highlighted. These points resonated strongly with the audience.

The importance of gender-sensitive legal support was another key topic at the forum. Discussions centered on the international responsibility of providing legal assistance for women and girls. Existing gaps and limitations within current systems were also analyzed to identify areas for improvement. The need for more practical and effective policy measures was strongly emphasized.

The event brought together NGO representatives from multiple countries, highlighting the importance of collaboration. There was a shared understanding that international solidarity is essential for advancing women's rights and justice. Participants acknowledged the need for continued dialogue and cooperation. It is expected that efforts toward peace will continue to expand in the future.

Reference : https://vo.la/uK4tNxN
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Monday, March 23, 2026

Where Should Humanity Go?

March 23, 2026 0 Comments

Where Should Humanity Go?



Where Should Humanity Go?
– The 10th Anniversary of the Proclamation of the “Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War” (DPCW): The Path to Institutionalizing Peace through Law –
 
On March 14, 2016, the “Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War” (DPCW) was proclaimed. This document was proposed to establish a shared framework for preventing war and promoting the peaceful resolution of conflicts in an international environment where wars and disputes continue to recur.

The DPCW originated from a deep awareness of the reality in which countless young people are sacrificed in wars. It goes beyond merely managing conflicts after they occur, and instead emphasizes structurally preventing disputes and institutionalizing cooperation.

Now, marking the 10th anniversary since its proclamation, the continued support and participation have significantly expanded the foundation for implementing the principles proposed by the DPCW.

▎ HWPL Born from the Experience of War

HWPL is an international peace NGO established to protect lives lost to war and to build a sustainable order of peace.

The background of its establishment lies in the war experience of Man Hee Lee, the Chairman of HWPL. He participated in the Korean War as a student soldier and directly witnessed the devastation of war. His conviction that no more young people should be sacrificed to war became the starting point for the founding of HWPL.

Since then, HWPL has built an international network connecting political leaders, religious communities, and civil society, while continuing efforts in international law discussions, peace education, and interfaith cooperation. The DPCW is a proposed international framework developed as an extension of these ongoing initiatives.


▎ HWPL Peace Summit (September 18) and Global Consensus

The starting point of the DPCW can be traced back to the HWPL Peace Summit held in Seoul on September 18, 2014. A total of 1,933 participants from 152 countries attended, including former and incumbent heads of state, government officials, religious leaders, international law experts, and representatives of civil society. A key issue raised during the conference was clear: responding only after conflicts occur is not sufficient to prevent the recurrence of war.

Accordingly, a shared understanding emerged on the need for international standards to prevent conflicts and institutionalize cooperation. In 2015, HWPL launched the “HWPL International Law Peace Committee” (ILPC), composed of renowned experts in international law. After thorough legal review and deliberation, the ILPC finalized the DPCW consisting of 10 articles and 38 clauses, which was officially proclaimed on March 14, 2016.

▎ Key Provisions of the DPCW

The DPCW consists of a preamble along with 10 articles and 38 clauses. While it is based on the fundamental principles of existing international law, it is characterized by clearly defining more specific measures for preventing war and strengthening frameworks for cooperation.

The DPCW includes the following key provisions: 

▪ Establishing international standards on the use of force
▪ Codifying procedures for the peaceful settlement of disputes
▪ Strengthening principles of international cooperation and collective security
▪ Ensuring freedom of religion and promoting interfaith cooperation
▪ Expanding a culture of peace and encouraging civic participation

The DPCW is not intended to replace the existing international legal order. Rather, it focuses on reinforcing and supplementing established principles of international law so that they can function effectively in practice.

It is also significant in that it seeks to broaden the foundation for implementing international norms by going beyond a state-centered legal framework and incorporating the roles of various actors, including religious communities and civil society.

▎ Ten Years of Expansion and Consolidation

Since the proclamation of the DPCW, support has continued from international organizations and national legislatures. Several regional parliaments—including the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN), and the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (Parlatino)—have adopted resolutions in support.  More recently, support resolutions have also been passed by the Chamber of Deputies of Paraguay, the Senate of the Dominican Republic, and the National Legislature of South Sudan.


At the civil society level, the movement has also continued to expand. Approximately 900,000 endorsements have been gathered from 178 countries. This demonstrates that the spread of these norms is taking place not only through state diplomacy but also through active participation from civil society.

This trend shows that the DPCW is not remaining as a mere declaration, but is gradually taking shape as a practical norm through ongoing discussions within the international community and civil society.

▎ Beyond the Era of War: The Path to Institutionalizing Peace through Law

Throughout history, humanity has often brought conflicts to an end through war. The pattern of allowing superiority in force to determine order has been repeated over time.

A civilizational shift lies in transforming this very structure. It means moving away from resolving conflicts through war and toward resolving them through law, agreement, procedures, and cooperation. While conflicts themselves may not disappear, the means of resolving them can change.

The DPCW clarifies standards on the use of force, establishes procedures for dispute resolution, and incorporates the roles of religion and civil society within an institutional framework. This represents an effort to strengthen a structure in which conflicts do not escalate into war.

The past decade has been a period of expanding these proposals within the international community and building institutional and social foundations. The task ahead is to further solidify this foundation. International norms must be strengthened to ensure that conflicts do not escalate into war, and a system must be established in which both states and societies share this responsibility.


▎ “Where Should Humanity Go?”

Rather than accepting war as a means of resolving conflicts, the direction forward is to structure and institutionalize peace. Conflicts may be inevitable, but whether they are allowed to escalate into war or addressed through alternative standards depends on the choices humanity makes. The DPCW represents an effort to translate that choice into the form of international norms, and the discussions and growing consensus over the past decade have demonstrated its potential.

One question remains: will this standard be transformed into a real-world order, or will it remain as just another declaration?

Reference : https://vo.la/GpHb5Im 
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