🔑 Key Highlights
- Georgia: HWPL launched the Legislate Peace Program, turning art, education, and civic action into a state-wide peace movement.
- The Americas: Journalists gathered to declare “Media for Peace,” pledging constructive and ethical reporting beyond violence-centered narratives.
- Australia: The Australia Religious Peace Academy (ARPA) united leaders from six major religions for dialogue on shared values and peaceful coexistence.
- Mongolia: Through the “Billion Trees” campaign, youth and communities planted over 8,000 trees, creating “Peace Green Groves” across the nation.
Georgia Becomes a Hub for Peace-Building 🌍✨
HWPL Georgia branch has been working tirelessly to turn the state into a “State of Peace.” Through the Legislate Peace Program, a four-year plan rooted in international law, peace education, and community engagement, local leaders and citizens are uniting to address violence, poverty, and division with sustainable solutions.
One of the key highlights this year was the art exhibition City Bleed No More, where over 30 Atlanta artists showcased works that transformed stories of gun violence into messages of hope and healing.
More than 500 people attended, reflecting the community’s strong desire for peace and reconciliation through culture and creativity. 🎨💡
Momentum continued with the DPCW 9th Anniversary event, which marked the launch of a citizen-led peace legislation program. This historic step toward institutionalizing peace in Georgia was later reinforced when DeKalb County officially adopted the DPCW resolution, showing how grassroots support can influence policy.
Together with peace education initiatives in Atlanta schools, these efforts are building a culture where students grow as ambassadors of peace and communities thrive in unity. 🌱✨
Youth Rise as “Peace Avengers” 🌱🌟
HWPL Georgia branch, together with the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG) and the Arrow Youth Leadership Council International, launched the six-month Play4Peace campaign to prevent intergenerational violence.
The campaign concluded with a family peace festival and peace walk, where young people stepped forward as “Peace Avengers.” Their efforts also led several cities and counties, including Fairburn, Palmetto, South Fulton, and Fulton County, to proclaim “Peace Weekend” and “Day of Thanks,” showing how youth leadership can inspire civic change.
Through the Peace Leadership Academy for Youth (P.L.A.Y.), HWPL expanded peace education into Gwinnett County, the largest school district in Georgia. At the Georgia State Capitol, the 2nd “HWPL Georgia Peace Day” highlighted the importance of this program, with lawmakers, community leaders, and youth affirming their commitment to peace.
Eight graduates of the P.L.A.Y. program even received certificates signed by state legislators—marking a milestone toward making peace education a lasting part of Georgia’s schools and communities. 🌍✨
Journalists Unite for Peaceful Reporting 🌍💡
A special conference brought together journalists from across the Americas to reexamine the mission of media in building peace. Speakers emphasized moving away from sensational coverage of war and violence toward constructive journalism rooted in empathy and solutions.
Experts from the U.S., El Salvador, and other regions highlighted that the press must amplify human voices, uphold ethics, and serve as a partner in positive social change. One participant described journalism as not just an observer, but an active companion in reform.
The event concluded with all participants signing a joint declaration for “Media for Peace.” By pledging to avoid fueling violence and instead promote understanding, compassion, and practical solutions, the journalists reaffirmed their responsibility to strengthen trust and solidarity within communities.
Organized in connection with HWPL’s global peace movement, this initiative is set to expand beyond the Americas to Asia, Europe, and Africa, creating a worldwide alliance of media committed to peace. ✨🌱
Australia Religious Peace Academy: Faiths Coming Together for Peace 🌍✨
On August 26, Melbourne hosted the Australia Religious Peace Academy (ARPA) National Forum, organized by HWPL. Under the theme “What is religion, and why is it needed for humanity?” leaders from Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, and Christianity came together in a hybrid online and offline format.
With scriptures and symbols placed before them, the leaders shared insights on how their faith traditions contribute to peace, while engaging in presentations, panel discussions, and open dialogue in a spirit of mutual respect.
ARPA is part of HWPL’s International Religious Peace Academy (IRPA), operated through the WARP Office, which since 2014 has hosted interfaith dialogues in 128 countries.
The Melbourne forum emphasized that respecting and understanding different scriptures can build trust and open new paths to lasting peace. HWPL announced that ARPA will continue to be held regularly across Australia, fostering interfaith dialogue, cultural exchange, and collaborative peacebuilding for future generations. 🌱💡
Planting Peace: Mongolia’s “Billion Trees” Campaign 🌱🌍
Since 2023, the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), an affiliate of HWPL, has been supporting Mongolia’s “Billion Trees” national movement through its Youth’s Unity – Green Gateway campaign. The initiative goes beyond planting trees by fostering awareness of long-term care, protection, and responsibility for the environment.
Using tailored education programs and digital monitoring systems, each tree is registered on an interactive map through Public Lab Mongolia, ensuring transparency and accountability in reforestation efforts.
From 2023 to 2025, more than 2,000 participants across 21 provinces and 9 districts helped plant over 8,000 trees of nine species. These efforts created green spaces for 40 institutions and 47 households, along with establishing five new “Peace Green Groves.”
Recognizing this achievement, Mongolia’s Forest Agency awarded IPYG an official Certificate of Appreciation in August 2025. The campaign continues to expand during the nation’s spring and autumn tree-planting days, aiming to spread environmental responsibility and ensure that this movement remains a sustainable peace practice for future generations. ✨
Peace is up to you 😮 Good luck!
