🔑 Summary of HWPL Global Activities
- Fiji 🌱: Youth built a living seawall with 300 mangroves and cleaned 180kg of waste.
- Côte d’Ivoire ✨: Expanded DEHCI program with peace education, mental health, and Peace Radio.
- Malaysia 📚: Teachers trained to bring peace education into classrooms.
- Bangladesh 💡: Seminar stressed citizen-led peace and joint action.
- Taiwan 🎉: DPCW 9th Anniversary engaged citizens in peace activities.
- Dominican Republic 🌟: Schools signed MOUs for peace education and held a peace walk.
- Philippines 📖: Book festival promoted preserving Bangsamoro Peace Agreement as heritage.
🌱 Fiji: Local Youth Take Action for Peace and Climate
On July 12, HWPL joined hands with the Fiji Red Cross Society in Tavua, the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), and the One Nation One People Youth Club (ONOP) to hold a special campaign under the theme “Peace and Climate Action.” The venue was Ralulu Street in Tavua.
In just three hours, young volunteers planted 300 mangrove seedlings, creating a 120-meter “living seawall.” At the same time, they collected 180kg of waste from coastal areas and drainage canals. This was more than just cleaning up—it also eliminated mosquito breeding grounds that spread dengue fever 🦟.
Fiji is one of the nations most affected by rising sea levels, with an annual rate of 7.95 mm—almost twice the global average 🌊. Over the past two decades, more than 120 hectares of protective mangroves have been lost due to tourism development and typhoons, worsening coastal erosion and reducing fish resources.
To respond, Fiji’s Climate Change Act of 2021 made mangrove restoration a national priority. This campaign aligned with that law and gave local youth a chance to build resilience. Experts stressed that mangroves store up to four times more carbon than terrestrial forests and can reduce wave energy by 66% within ten years. Every tree planted became a living shield 🌱✨.
This activity was part of HWPL’s “HOPE in Fiji” program, which integrates peace education, humanitarian service, and climate action. Highlights include social media dance challenges, jogging combined with trash pickup, and peace marathons. Through these, young people are turning their ideals into real action 🌟💡.
🌟 Côte d’Ivoire: Government and Civil Society Building Unity
In March, HWPL met with the Ministry of National Integration, Solidarity, and Poverty Reduction in Abidjan to discuss ways to strengthen peace and social cohesion. The focus was the “Diversity and Harmony in Côte d’Ivoire (DEHCI)” program.
Originally centered on dialogue, DEHCI has now expanded into peace education, mental health, and community communication. The proposals included peace education modules in schools and public offices, mental health programs for youth, and a new “Peace Radio” broadcasting platform 📻. Fourteen priority regions were also identified for focused outreach.
These efforts align with the country’s National Development Plan (PND 2026–2030). Officials expressed strong support, highlighting the role of ministries of youth, health, and education in implementation.
HWPL also tied this to the 9th Anniversary of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), which was commemorated simultaneously in 93 countries on March 14 🌍. In Côte d’Ivoire, the DEHCI initiative is paving the way for long-term peace beyond elections and short-term crises. ✨
🌸 Malaysia: Teachers Plant Seeds of Peace in the Classroom
In February, HWPL partnered with “Stairway to Hope,” an educational institution for stateless and low-income children in Sabah, to host the 2nd Peace Educator Training (PET) Workshop. Eleven teachers from different school levels participated.
They designed lessons to enhance students’ conflict resolution and coexistence skills. Teachers emphasized that peace must be more than a concept—it must be lived in the classroom. One said, “Peace education is like planting a tree. The seeds we plant today will bear fruit tomorrow.” 🌱📚
The workshop strengthened teachers’ role as role models who carry peace into their classrooms and communities. HWPL plans to expand this program to Sarawak and beyond, empowering more teachers to nurture a culture of peace among children. 💡⭐
💡 Bangladesh: Citizens Unite for Peace
On March 12, the Independent University Bangladesh (IUB) hosted a peace seminar titled “Promise for Peace in Bangladesh: Building Our Future Together.” It highlighted the importance of citizen participation and collective effort in achieving sustainable peace.
Academics, civil society leaders, and peace activists gathered to discuss citizen-led movements, unity for national integration, and strategies for engaging all social sectors. Participants stressed that inequality, environmental challenges, and human rights issues demand joint action from both public and private sectors.
The seminar concluded with a poster exhibition and a group photo under the slogan “We are One, We Love Peace.” 🕊️✨ This event created momentum for dialogue and peace governance in Bangladesh, connecting youth, decision-makers, and citizens in one shared vision 🌍.
🎉 Taiwan: Citizens Experience Peace Together
On March 15, HWPL hosted the 9th Anniversary of the DPCW at Taipei’s 228 Peace Memorial Park. The event was part of a global campaign across 93 countries.
Activities included peace face painting 🎨, making peace bracelets, and “We Are One for Korea” challenge videos. Citizens joined together to support peace on the Korean Peninsula and show their global solidarity. Within 15 days, more than 1,350 pieces of content from 72 countries were created, amplifying the message worldwide 🌟.
HWPL emphasized: “Peace is not a distant ideal—it starts with the hands of ordinary citizens.” The campaign continues to grow across Asia, combining peace education, legislation, and citizen participation ❤️🌱.
📚 Dominican Republic: Youth Lead the Way in Peace Culture
In early March, HWPL signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with two schools in Moca to implement peace education. Students shared powerful messages: “Peace is not a destination but the journey we walk together.” 🌍
This agreement marked a new milestone for embedding peace culture through education, workshops, and non-violence programs. A peace walk followed the signing, with students and community members pledging, “We will act for peace together.”
The initiative shows how young people are not just learning about peace—they are leading it. Their voices are reshaping communities and inspiring governments and institutions alike. 🌟✨
📖 Philippines: Preserving Peace Through Books
On March 14, the Philippine Book Festival in Manila featured a special panel discussion on registering the Bangsamoro Peace Agreement as a UNESCO Memory of the World. The session brought together government representatives, cultural organizations, academics, and HWPL.
The goal is to preserve the story of peacebuilding in Mindanao in written form 📚. Publications will serve as educational resources for students, policymakers, and peace advocates, ensuring that the lessons of dialogue and reconciliation are not lost.
HWPL reaffirmed its belief: “One book can become a cornerstone for peace.” Through these collaborations, the history of peace in Mindanao will inspire generations to come 🌍✨.
🌟 Conclusion
From Fiji’s mangrove coasts 🌱, to Côte d’Ivoire’s government halls ✨, Malaysia’s classrooms 📚, Bangladesh’s citizen forums 💡, Taiwan’s community events 🎉, the Dominican Republic’s youth movements 🌟, and the Philippines’ book festival 📖—HWPL is weaving a global tapestry of peace ❤️.
Peace is not just a slogan. It is the living seawall built by youth, the words of teachers in a classroom, the creativity of citizens, and the voices of students. HWPL continues to show that peace grows when ordinary people take extraordinary steps together 🌍💖.
