Young people from Romania, Timor-Leste, and Côte d’Ivoire are showing how culture, sports, and shared dialogue can create real pathways to peace 🌍✨
🔑 Key Highlights
- Romanian youth leaders visited Korea to strengthen global peace collaboration
- Cultural exchange and policy discussions deepened mutual understanding
- Timor-Leste’s Peace Futsal Cup united universities through sports and teamwork
- Community-led efforts showed how peace grows at the local level
- Côte d’Ivoire celebrated the 11th anniversary of a global peace movement, calling for unity and reconciliation
🌟 1. Romanian Youth Strengthen Global Peace Ties Through Cultural Exchange
A youth delegation from Romania’s global peace network MasterPeace visited Korea to expand cooperation with HWPL and its youth wing IPYG. This trip followed earlier online exchanges, and it helped both sides explore long-term collaboration.
During the five-day visit, the group traveled through Seoul and Incheon, where they experienced Korea’s cultural heritage and youth activities. They visited places such as the traditional palace area and cultural villages, which helped them understand how history and culture support peaceful living 🌱✨
In addition, Korean and Romanian youth held a cultural dialogue session at a local university. They openly discussed peace, cultural identity, and how young people can influence social change. The conversation helped them see both similarities and differences in their everyday lives, fostering deeper mutual respect.
During a workshop with IPYG, participants analyzed social conditions that shape peace efforts in Romania—such as media climate, civic awareness, and government policies. This helped them design practical ideas for future cooperation.
As a result of this exchange, both organizations proposed a new collaboration model called YEPW (Youth Engagement & Peacebuilding Working Group). This framework aims to build a stronger international youth peace network. The Romanian team also noted that the trip opened opportunities to connect with youth groups beyond Europe, including potential cooperation with Moldova.
The program became a meaningful example of how cultural connection can naturally lead to peacebuilding ❤️🌍
🌟 2. Timor-Leste Youth Build Unity Through the Peace Futsal Cup
Meanwhile, in Timor-Leste, young people gathered for the 2025 HWPL Peace Futsal Cup, held at the end of May. Eight university teams joined the tournament, turning the event into a celebration of friendship and teamwork.
What made this event especially inspiring was that everything—from the venue to the referees—was offered voluntarily. Local leaders provided the stadium free of charge, while national federation referees supported the games as volunteers. As a result, the cup became a symbol of community-driven peacebuilding.
Since Timor-Leste has no official inter-university futsal league, students often lack opportunities to interact across schools. The Peace Futsal Cup helped solve this issue by creating a shared space where young people could meet, compete, and connect beyond their own campuses.
The tournament also built momentum for a stronger youth network. Players shared values of peace, friendship, and unity—both on and off the field. Many expressed hope that more peace-themed sports events would continue in the future.
HWPL announced plans to expand these sports-based peace programs across the country, helping peace become a natural part of youth culture ✨🌱
🌟 3. Côte d’Ivoire Celebrates the 11th Anniversary of a Global Peace Movement
In late September, residents of Duekoue in Côte d’Ivoire gathered to commemorate the 11th anniversary of a global peace assembly hosted by HWPL. The event emphasized the importance of unity, social harmony, and community action.
Speakers encouraged residents to overcome old divisions and build a peaceful city together. They highlighted how ethnic, religious, and political differences can lead to tension—and how shared commitment can reverse that pattern.
The event aligned with similar commemorations held in 170 countries, showing the worldwide reach of this peace initiative. The theme, “Unity for Peace, Humanity’s Shared Mission,” reminded participants that peace requires everyone’s effort.
Community leaders, traditional authorities, youth groups, and local organizations joined the event and formally expressed their commitment to peace. This moment symbolized a new chapter for coexistence and long-term reconciliation.
The gathering demonstrated how local communities can take concrete steps toward a more peaceful future, even in places that have experienced conflict in the past ❤️✨
🌟 4. A Growing Global Movement Led by Youth and Communities
Across Romania, Timor-Leste, and Côte d’Ivoire, one message stands out clearly: peace grows strongest when people participate voluntarily and locally.
- Cultural exchange builds empathy
- Sports strengthen unity and friendship
- Community gatherings inspire collective action
Together, these activities form a global network of young people and local leaders who believe peace is not just an idea—but a daily practice. And as more communities join, these efforts continue shaping a safer, more harmonious world 🌍🌟
Source :
[한국인 이만희 평화실화 FOCUS│HWPL 뉴스레터(151)] HWPL·IPYG, 청년 주도 국제 평화 네트워크 강화 < 특별기획 < 기획 < 기사본문 – 천지일보