Planting Peace in Lusaka, Zambia – The Story Behind the 3rd HWPL Peace Monument Installation

Planting Peace in Lusaka, Zambia – 

The Story Behind the 3rd HWPL Peace Monument Installation

On June 30, 2025, a meaningful milestone for peace was marked in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. The international peace NGO HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light) installed its third peace monument at the entrance of the Kalingalinga district as part of its “DPCW Zoning Project.”

This monument is not just a structure. It is a symbolic declaration that the community is a space where the values of peace are practiced, and it marks the first significant step in spreading a sustainable peace culture led by citizens.

▎ What is the DPCW?

The Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) is an international peace law initiative established by HWPL to fundamentally resolve global conflicts and wars. Comprising 10 articles and 38 clauses, it emphasizes the importance of governance of fairness and proclaims that citizens are the key actors in achieving peace.

▎ The 3rd Peace Monument – A Symbol of Hope Led by Local Youth

The installation in Kalingalinga was officially supported by the Lusaka City Council and actively led by local youth organizations such as the University of CURE UN Student Association and youth leaders from IPYG (International Peace Youth Group)’s YEPW (Youth Engagement & Peacebuilding Working Group).

Charity Siamweme, a local youth councilor, expressed her feelings at the site: “Through this monument, I felt confident that peace could be achieved in our neighborhood too.”

Andrew Muima, a YEPW member, shared: “This monument will help youth stay away from drugs and crime and become healthy contributors to the community. I hope Kalingalinga transforms and the number of socially vulnerable youths decreases.”

▎ Where Were the Previous Monuments Installed?

The first monument was installed on Lumumba Street in Lusaka. Once known for drug trafficking and crime, the area is now being recognized as a symbol of peace. Local merchants and residents welcomed the change, saying, “We finally have a starting point to think of peace.”

The second monument was installed at Lusaka Boys Secondary School, marking the beginning of peace education in the school system. Education officials, school principals, student representatives, and religious leaders attended the event, which sparked a strong reaction. Students voluntarily shared monument photos on social media with the message: “Our school supports peace.”

▎ Towards a “Crime-Free Lusaka”

HWPL aims to use this third installation as a launching point for the “Crime-Free Lusaka” project, which envisions creating 10 peace zones across the city.

This initiative goes beyond simply preventing crime. It seeks a comprehensive approach to tackle youth unemployment, gender-based violence, infectious diseases, and malnutrition from a peace-oriented perspective.

Mukubesa Nyoni, a Lusaka city councilor, commented: “I hope this project continues with more collaboration. I also expect it to help address youth delinquency, child marriage, and environmental cleanup in the area.”

▎ Beyond Peace, to a Culture of Peace

Zambia is one of the rare African nations that gained independence without armed conflict, giving it a unique identity as a peace-driven nation. This collaboration with HWPL further solidifies that identity and opens new possibilities for peace to take root in the country’s institutions and governance.

HWPL’s Zambia branch aims to eventually establish a “Ministry of Peace” and lay the legal and administrative foundation for DPCW institutionalization. The peace monument is expected to serve as a bridge between local identity and the practice of peace.

▎ The Moment of Peace

Whether in the middle of a street, on a school campus, or built by the hands of local youth, each small monument is more than a few words carved in metal. It holds the power to change lives, shape mindsets, and influence the future.

We hope this growing peace movement in Lusaka, Zambia will eventually spread across Africa—and the world.

#HWPL #DPCW #PeaceInZambia #Lusaka #YouthPeaceMovement #Kalingalinga #InternationalPeace #PeaceForwardCity #CrimeFreeLusaka #PeaceMonument

Reference : https://vo.la/jujRfNw