Showing posts with label INTERFAITH. Show all posts
Showing posts with label INTERFAITH. Show all posts

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, January 7, 2026

IWPG Global Region 2 Signs MOU with ASOVIAFOR, an Association of Victims of the Colombian Conflict

January 07, 2026 0 Comments

IWPG Global Region 2 Signs MOU with ASOVIAFOR, 
an Association of Victims of the Colombian Conflict




On January 1, 2026, IWPG Global Region 2 held an official meeting with ASOVIAFOR, an association of victims of the Colombian conflict, and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for mutual cooperation. This meeting went beyond a symbolic agreement and served as a space to reflect on peacebuilding led by women and victims themselves. The partnership marked a meaningful connection between an international women’s peace organization and a South American victims’ alliance. What stood out was the focus on voices rooted in lived experience.

ASOVIAFOR is a civil society alliance formed primarily by women who have directly experienced forced displacement, loss of family members, and sexual violence during Colombia’s prolonged armed conflict. Rather than remaining passive recipients of aid, the victims themselves became the driving force of the organization. Through regional networks of women and affected families, they have continuously worked toward community recovery and peacebuilding. Their work reflects a collective effort to rebuild life beyond conflict.

Beyond victim support, the organization has focused on healing local communities through shared memory and lived experience. By promoting women’s social participation, providing peace and reconciliation education, and encouraging community dialogue, ASOVIAFOR has developed grassroots peacebuilding models. These efforts have positioned the group as a key actor within Colombia’s victim-centered civil society movement. Their accumulated experiences have become valuable resources for peace.

This agreement is significant as a starting point for expanding a cooperation model in which victims and women actively participate as agents of peace, beyond state- or system-centered approaches. It also highlights a structure where local realities are respected within international solidarity. Through collaboration between organizations, the language of peace is given space to take root on the ground. It truly reflected the idea of peace built together.

Following the MOU, IWPG plans to engage in further in-depth discussions regarding specific areas of cooperation. Based on mutual trust and shared understanding, both parties aim to explore phased and sustainable collaboration. Rather than focusing on immediate outcomes, the emphasis is on building long-term partnerships. It reinforced the idea that peace grows through relationships.

At the signing ceremony, Global Director Seo Yeon Lee stated, “Peace does not become reality through declarations alone, but through education and solidarity within local communities.” She expressed hope that this agreement would serve as a meaningful starting point for women and communities affected by conflict to stand as agents of peace themselves. Her remarks emphasized practice. The direction of peace grounded in reality was clearly conveyed.

In response, ASOVIAFOR representative Rosi Albani Perez Belalcazar noted that collaboration with IWPG would be a significant step in empowering women at the center of conflict-related suffering. She expressed hope that the agreement would mark a turning point where victims are no longer silent subjects, but active builders of peace. The emphasis on victims’ voices stood out strongly. Her words captured the essence of the partnership.

This MOU is meaningful in that it lays the groundwork for expanding women- and victim-led peace solidarity beyond Colombia to the broader South American region. It is expected to serve as an opportunity to share grassroots peace practices with the international community. Small connections have the potential to grow into broader alliances. It will be worth watching how this collaboration unfolds.

Reference : https://vo.la/45ssShr
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Tuesday, July 22, 2025

HWPL Opening New Paths to Peace Through Interfaith Dialogue and Refugee Solidarity

July 22, 2025 0 Comments

HWPL Opening New Paths to Peace 
Through Interfaith Dialogue and Refugee Solidarity




More than 400 citizens gathered at the town square of Itaosy, Madagascar, for a touching event that transcended religion and culture. Jointly hosted by HWPL and UMMI Madagascar, the "Interfaith Peace Gathering" was especially meaningful as it coincided with the nation’s 65th Independence Day celebrations.

Under the theme “Unity in Diversity,” the event brought together people of different faiths—Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, and even non-religious participants—reaffirming the values of peace and tolerance.

Jamal Sheikh, representing UMMI, shared that "Islam emphasizes solidarity and love among all creations of God," adding, “This event fully aligns with our core beliefs.”



Alongside speeches by religious leaders, the event featured traditional Malagasy music, dance, and storytelling performances. An MOU signing ceremony followed, symbolizing ongoing cooperation between peace-related organizations.

Meanwhile, HWPL’s Germany branch commemorated World Refugee Day by partnering with the Migrant Support Netzwerk e.V. in Frankfurt. Volunteers cleaned and refurbished the group’s space, embodying practical solidarity with refugees and migrants.

Aoun, a refugee from Myanmar who joined the volunteer activity, shared, “I was happy to help other refugees like myself,” showing that refugees themselves can be key agents of solidarity.



The HWPL Germany branch regularly engages in clean-up projects and community service, sending messages of peace and offering hope to those who have lost their homes.

In San Francisco, HWPL and the Fresno Cambodian Buddhist Association co-hosted an interfaith and cultural exchange event in honor of one of Buddhism’s most sacred holidays, Maha Visakha Puja.



Participants reflected on Buddhist teachings and peace values, engaging in dialogue under the theme “Peace Through Scripture.” Several Buddhist leaders expressed interest in joining HWPL-led interfaith initiatives.

The HWPL San Francisco branch noted, “This event reminded us of the importance of understanding and unity across religions and cultures,” and pledged to strengthen collaboration with diverse communities.

Reference https://vo.la/kLJknZo

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