The 3rd Peace Monument of International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) was established in Kapalong, Philippines. In August, IWPG initiated a peace project ‘Wildflower Story’ to respect and embrace diverse cultures in Korea. Additionally, IWPG proceeded with ▲signing MOU/MOAs, ▲advocating for the legislation of the DPCW, ▲promoting the activation of the PLTE, ▲networking with civil society, and ▲conducting promotional activities as a foundation for achieving global peace throughout August. |
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3rd IWPG Peace Monument established in Philippines
- Installed in Green Paradise Park thanks to the commitment of Kapalong City, Philippines
- Mayor Timbol, “I will remind people of the possibility of peace… We must become one in peace.” |
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IWPG’s 3rd Peace Monument was established in Green Paradise in Kapalong City, Davao del Norte, Philippines.
The Unveiling Ceremony was held on Aug 1 with 250 participants including Maria Theresa Royo Timbol, the mayor of Kapalong city, and Na Hyung Jun, the Secretary General of IWPG.
The purpose of the Peace Monument is to commemorate the Mindanao Peace Treaty mediated by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), an international peace organization, on Jan 24, 2014, and continue on the spirit of peace. The first monument was established in Davao del Oro, Philippines and the second in Ulaanbaatar.
The third monument was established with the support and commitment of Kapalong City. Mayor Timbol met IWPG Chairwoman Hyun Sook Yoon at the 2023 International Women’s Peace Conference last year and promised to establish the peace monument. |
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Mayor Timbol stated, “The IWPG Peace Monument will remind everyone around Kapalong, especially women, that peace can be realized. We must unite in peace so that peace of individuals can spread throughout the entire community.”
Kapalong Green Paradise Park once was a symbol of crime, violence and conflict. IWPG expressed hope that the third monument established there will serve as a wind of peace, spreading a culture of peace.
Secretary General Na Hyung Jun remarked, “I hope the monument will become a landmark of Kapalong City where all citizens can visit to move beyond the past conflicts and appreciate the value of peace.” She added, “I wish for every woman in the Philippines to recognize her worth, act for peace, and play an important part in establishing the DPCW as international law.” |
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At the Unveiling Ceremony, PLTE Orientation also took place. Kyu Sun Lee, IWPG Director of Peace Education introduced IWPG’s peace activities and the PLTE. During their visit to the Philippines, IWPG successfully had over 150 local women apply for the PLTE through three orientation sessions.
The day after the unveiling ceremony, IWPG appeared on Radio Aliw Channel to introduce its peace activities and encourage participation through the PLTE orientation and a women leaders’ forum.
On Sep 2, after attending the Peace and Culture Book launching event, a documentary on the history of peace activities, traditional housing and costumes of 11 native tribes at Ateneo de Davao University, the Women’s Leader Forum was held to focus on women leaders of respective tribes.
IWPG representatives, who appeared on Radio Aliw Channel, introduced the activities that IWPG can practically undertake in collaboration for peace in the Philippines.
On Sep 3, IWPG invited underprivileged groups of children and mothers from Silang, Cavite, to introduce them to the International Loving-Peace Art Competition (ILPAC) and participate in a session where they drew ‘the peace that I dream of’. Then, leaders from various regions of Cavite and over 100 women gathered at the city hall to attend PLTE orientation and pledged to collaborate with IWPG. |
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- Daegu Branch gathers support from Daegu citizens for multicultural families
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On Aug 31, Daegu Branch (Branch Manager Su Jin Park) conducted a special activity of collecting messages of support as part of the Wildflower Story project to raise awareness on multiculturalism. The event was held in Hosan Park, Dalseo-gu, Daegu, where many citizens conveyed messages of support for multicultural families.
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- The 6th International Loving peace Art Competition (ILPAC) Colombia Preliminary Awards Ceremony & Exhibition
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On August 14th, the Colombia branch of Global Region 2 (Branch Manager Ha Un) held the 6th International Loving peace Art Competition (ILPAC) preliminary awards ceremony and exhibition of winning works at the Center for Memory, Peace, and Reconciliation.
This year, around 1,500 students in Colombia participated in the International Loving Peace Art Competition, with a total of 14 receiving awards, including first prize, special prizes, and encouragement awards. The first-prize-winning artwork from the Colombian preliminaries will be sent to South Korea to compete in the final round against top works from various countries.
Gloria Cuartas, Director of the Peace Agreement Implementation Unit (Unidad de Implementación del Acuerdo de Paz: UIAP), said, “This competition, which is part of IWPG's project to spread a culture of peace, is a very important event that allows us to recognize children and youth as subjects of peace.” She added, “I will encourage the expansion of this competition to inspire a culture of peace across generations and leave a better world behind.”
José Enoch Cano Mora, President of the Colombia Chamber of Non-Profit Organizations, emphasized, “Together with IWPG, we must plant the seed of love, the eternal seed of life, for global peace.”
Eli Sahian Martin León, who received a special prize, expressed, “First, I am truly thankful to God, and I am so happy and honored that through my artwork, I can give hope for peace to many of my friends.”
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- Global Region 7 Holds International Women Leaders’ Peace Meeting
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Global Region 7 held the 6th International Women Leaders’ Peace Meeting online on Aug 24. The meeting themed “Building Peace Education for Conflict Resolution and Women’s Leadership and Participation,” was attended by over 90 participants, including representatives from four branches in Korea (Goyang, Seodaemun, Paju and Eunpyeong) and members from 12 countries, including Malaysia, France, Czech Republic, Germany, Madagascar, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Mali, Tunisia, Algeria and Ukraine.
The meeting served as an opportunity of networking and unity among women leaders through presentations of leaders of respective countries who have completed the PLTE. The presenters included Neziha Labidi; Salah Khadija, the former minister of women, family, children and the elderly of Tunisia; Judith Akmel, the director of quality and gender at the National Integration and Poverty Reduction Ministry of Ivory Coast; and Ukrainian refugee Kateryna Kravchenko. They responded to questions while emphasizing the significance of legislating the DPCW and the PLTE. |
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- Global Region 10 Hosts 6th International Women Leaders’ Peace Meeting
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Global Region 10 (Regional Director Hwa Jeong Kim) hosted the 6th International Women Leaders’ Peace Meeting on Aug 17, themed “Women in Peace Building: Legal Foundations for a War-Free World.” Over 150 women leaders and members from 15 countries participated, including six branches in Korea, and representatives from the US, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, Pakistan, Türkiye, Kazakhstan, India, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, Croatia, and the UAE.
Martha Delgado Peralta, the former minister of environment of Mexico and representative of APCO Worldwide Latin America, emphasized in her opening remarks the importance of women in achieving global peace and security with examples from four countries where peace was realized through women’s participation.
The presenters included ▲Silvia Rita Souza, the secretary general of the Women’s Democracy Network (WDN) and representative from Brazil, who spoke on the role of women in peacebuilding; ▲Alexia Cortez, the representative of AGORA and a lawyer, who discussed empowering women for peace and providing examples of contributions to global peace; and ▲Samra Shazadi, a lawyer at the high court of Pakistan and representative of LAADO (Legal Aid Advocacy and Development Orientation), who addressed the need to end wars and the DPCW as a means to achieve the goal.
Following the meeting, a signing ceremony for a MOA with Ali Public School in Pakistan (Principal Anam Matthew) took place. Additionally, there was the appointment of Peace Committee Representatives, and the presentation of Certificates of Appreciation and Awards for Contributions. |
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- Global Region 3 hosts the ‘International Women Leaders Peace Meeting’ with 7 countries
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Global Region 3 hosted the International Women Leaders Peace Meeting online on August 30, in collaboration with 6 branches in South Korea (Busan, Masan, Jinhae, Geoje, Yangsan, and Tongyeong) and 6 countries abroad (India, Maldives, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka).
The conference, held under the theme of “Peace Education and Women’s Leadership,” discussed ways to develop leadership through the PLTE program and contribute to establishing a culture of peace in local communities.
Participants presented on what is necessary to achieve peace and shared ideas for case studies that could be added to peace education tailored to regional characteristics, along with exploring measures for cooperation and collaboration.
Batool Kazmi, Representative of IWPG Karachi Peace Committee in Pakistan and a Global School Program activist, stated, “Peace is achieved through education, understanding, and the empowerment of women. Let us become agents of change and peacebuilders that the world desperately needs. As peace lecturers, we will develop programs focused on peace education and collaborate with regional and international organizations to promote peace.”
Maria Helen Genova, Head of Department and Assistant Professor of Holy Cross College in India, emphasized, “Peace is not merely a desire but a vital necessity, and our goal is to spread peace throughout the country and create a ripple effect. Through peace education, let us achieve the peace that is the dream of all people.”
Eun Ju Heo, Regional Director of IWPG Global Region 3, emphasized, “It is time to strengthen women’s leadership through peace education and to explore ways to actively lead the peace culture,” and called on participants to “think and act on how we can engage in peace education and involve women in peacebuilding efforts.”
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- Global Region 9 conducted education ‘Peace Begins with Me’
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Incheon Branch of South Korea of Global Region 9 (Regional Director Mi Sook Lim) conducted education ‘Peace Begins With Me’ twice on Aug 1 and 3 at Incheon Branch office. The education took place at KIMYEONJAE EL Institute as a follow-up event of the 6th International Loving peace Art Competition (ILPAC) after the mentor-mentee pairing ceremony. It was designed to discover and foster peace and art talents in the community under the theme of ‘Sharing a transgenerational perspective on peace.’ |
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- Berlin Branch of Germany holds Oder Art Festival
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Berlin Branch (Branch Manager Yingyan Cao) held the 4th Oder Art Festival on Aug 17 near the border between Frankfurt(Oder) and Poland. The event was co-hosted with Lodina e.V., a partner organization which signed an MOA as part of the annual citizen engagement arts event in Frankfurt(Oder). It was attended by various individuals including Kani Alavi, the director of East Side Gallery, and Svetlana Tiukkel, the representative of Lodina e.V. The attendees expressed their hope for a world united as one through art. |
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- Ulaanbaatar Branch of Mongolia holds Peace Workshop
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Ulaanbaatar Branch (Branch Manager Tumurkhuyag Enkhtaivan) held a peace workshop on Aug 21 at Gan Khadat resort in Terelj, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The workshop was proceeded by Shura Nasandulam, the representative of Selenge Sum Peace Committee in Bulgan region, for attendees including public officers and female professionals working for the government, communities, corporate sectors, who applied for the PLTE and promised to establish peace committees for their communities. |
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Peace Lecturer Training Education(PLTE)
- Peace Realized through Female Peace |
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Global Region 2 (Regional Director Seo Yeon Lee) conducted PLTE sessions 6-8 online on Aug 6, 17 and 30 with five attendees including Meseret Tsegaye, the leader of Addis Ababa Peace Committee and a gender expert at College of Natural and Computational Science.
Ethiopian participants, having experienced the brutality and pain of civil war, engaged in the peace education with a deep appreciation for the value and significance of peace.
Tsedenia Solomon Desta, a lecturer of Addis Abba University, expressed her thoughts, saying, “I was so much saddened by the fact that the victims suffering from the war are primarily women and children.” and added, “PLTE is an essential education for all women around the world, and I believe IWPG will surely achieve global peace.” |
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On Aug 22, Global Region 7 Czech Prague Team held a PLTE completion ceremony, resulting in the graduation of a total of 12 new peace instructors. The graduated shared their experiences from the program and committed to spreading messages of peace in their local communities through unity and harmony, aspiring to become influential peace instructors. |
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Global Region 10 completed PLTE session 8 of class 24-2 in Pakistan on August 31. One of the graduates, Javed Sara, expressed her gratitude saying, “PLTE was an innovative experience that equipped participants with the knowledge, skills and confidence to promote peace and harmony in Pakistan. The tireless efforts and dedication to empower women and create a more peaceful world are truly inspiring.” |
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Global Region 6 New Zealand Team completed the entire course of PLTE for Iranian Women in New Zealand. Chloe, the leader of IWPG New Zealand team, said, “I am happy to complete the PLTE program with Iranian Women in New Zealand. I look forward to moving forward for peace together.”
The Iranian female PLTE students in New Zealand commented, “We are grateful for this opportunity. It was a great chance for women to come together to discuss peace and gain more information about countries engaged in peace education and activities. We are ready to work with IWPG on peace activities.” Another participant said, “The PLTE classes were really good, and I want to apply what I’ve learned to my daily life.” |
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Global Region 4 conducted PLTE Session 1-2 online in Myanmar on August 24 and 31, which were attended by 60 participants.
Peace instructor Ei Hnin Khaing, a senior member of Myanmar Engineer Society, remarked, “The training was systematic and excellent, making me feel peaceful and happy while delivering lectures. Every step and aspect of PLTE was really impressive. I believe that PLTE program will bring true peace and harmony to the world.”
Ei Sandar, who attended session 1 shared her feelings, saying, “Through the first lesson, I began to feel the love, peace and grace of the world. How wonderful would it be if we could achieve peace in our personal lives, families and countries, and eventually realize peace in the whole world?”
Lynn Lynn Htoo remarked that, “Peace is vital for everything. Today’s lesson is absolutely necessary for our communities and educational field. PLTE was very much satisfying that has completely met my expectations. I will do my best to become a well trained student through the lessons.”
The participants in session 2 also shared positive feedback. Theingi Win said, “While participating in the class, I realized I need to adjust my needs. It was really a useful training. I learned much more about how to work for peace than before.”
Nan Mya, expressed her gratitude saying, “In 2021, during my time as a refugee, I recalled the memories of praying for someone to come and help me while respecting one another. I realized that I was not along, and everyone desires respect and support. If we all respect and support each other, we can create a world filled with joy and smiles. I appreciate for the chance to participate in the PLTE.” |
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Indonesia Branch (Branch Manager Ana Milana Puspita Sari) conducted PLTE every Monday in August. with participants from diverse cultural backgrounds: Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, Salatiga, Central Java, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, Kuta, and Bali.
Chindy Victoria, who lives in Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara province, remarked, “The long-standing culture of violence and the roots of civil war in Kupang City originate from a lack of education and the difficulties of integration due to different tribes and cultures. I hope that more people can overcome cultural differences and mindsets through PLTE classes, allowing the culture of peace to spread across all sectors.” |
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Manila Branch of the Philippines (Branch Manager April Otadoy) trained 28 women peace instructors across 11 regions.
From Aug 1 to 3, the PLTE orientation was held in Kapalong, Davao De Oro and Silang, Cavite. The session was attended by 150 women participants, who applied for the training.
From Aug 13, IWPG HQ proceeded with PLTE training to 28 participants from 11 regions in the Philippines for two weeks. All of them, including 8 Korean participants, completed the training program in 10 sessions and attended the PLTE joint completion ceremony on Aug 24.
One of the graduates, Marneth Dumandan said, “Through education, we can resolve conflicts and establish peaceful systems by sharing values and goals with others. I wish that we can create a peaceful world through a culture of peace together.”
April Otadoy remarked, “The participants completed the two-week journey with remarkable patience and concentration, achieving significant transformation. The newly empowered peace instructors are preparing to sow the seeds of peace throughout the Philippines now.” |
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Networking and Cooperation |
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- Global Region 12 holds Uganda Kenya Media Forum for Peace
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On Aug 30, Global Region 12 (Regional Director Su Jeong Lee) held ‘Uganda Kenya Media Forum for Sustainable Peace’ online.
The event was proceeded with media representatives invited by Global Region 12 and TND News, a online media outlet of Uganda to deliver news of peace in Uganda and Kenya. IWPG introduced its peace activities and main initiatives, whereas Milton Emmy Akwam, the CEO and Acting Managing editor of TND News presented on his mission and peace activities as a journalist facilitating peace in Uganda.
Milton Emmy Akwam emphasized, “Peace is essential for humanity and secure nations. To move toward complete world peace, we need many voices spreading peace. It is our duty as journalists to play that role.” |
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- Global Region 10 Holds guide meeting with Pakistan Peace Committee
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Global Region 10 held a meeting with Samra Shahzadi, who was appointed as the Peace Committee representative in the region of Rawalpindi, Pakistan, to discuss the management of the Peace Committee. Ms Shahzadi, currently a High Court lawyer and the director of LAADO, remarked, “I am grateful to be appointed as a peace committee representative, and I will work with IWPG wholeheartedly,” and she recommended four of her colleagues as peace committee members. |
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- Indonesia Branch introduces PLTE at tvOne interview
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Ana Milana Puspita Sari, the Indonesia branch manager, appeared in the tvOne program called ‘Afternoon News of Indonesia’ on Aug 30. The interview broadcast live proceeded on the theme ‘women in the turmoil of domestic violence’ for about 15 minutes.
The branch manager introduced IWPG’s PLTE with regard to the reason and solution to domestic violence, emphasizing the importance of valuing women within homes.
She expressed that the PLTE must awaken the values and roles of women so that peace initiated by women can transform families, communities and nations. Also, she highlighted the importance of changing societal awareness and culture.
Moreover, she introduced IWPG’s efforts in providing peace education program aimed at preventing domestic violence from affecting children, based on the idea that ‘peace is not created by an individual, but by all citizens together.’ |
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- Colombia EKO Radio Interview
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On August 5th, the Colombia branch of Global Region 2 appeared on a live broadcast of EKO Radio to introduce IWPG and share their activity plans.
EKO Radio is a broadcasting station located in the Usaquén district of Bogotá, recognized as a communication medium by the District Institute of Participation and Community Action (Instituto Distrital de la Participación y Acción Comunal: IDPAC).
Regional Director of G2 Seoyeon Lee said, “IWPG operates with the sentiment of a mother as its motto. The term ‘mother’ carries many meanings, but the most significant context is responsibility.” She added, “For this reason, we are conducting peace activities with women around the world, using the soft power of women and the spirit of sacrifice and service, to create a happy world for all members of the global family.”
She also said, “IWPG is planning to establish peace committees across Colombia, with a focus on Colombian women trained through the PLTE, aiming to spread awareness of a culture of peace in every region.”
IWPG’s core project, PLTE, is a professional instructor training program that produces peace lecturers who teach the spirit of peace. Global Region 2 of IWPG promoted that this education is being actively conducted in Colombia as well, to instill the importance of peace and unite women worldwide in peace.
César Augusto, the radio producer, said, “IWPG is conducting excellent activities, so we would like to feature the organization and its peace activities regularly every Monday.”
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- Netherlands Rotterdam Branch conducts IWPG promotion activities
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Rotterdam Branch of the Netherlands (Branch Manager Niurka van Adrichem) conducted IWPG promotion and member recruitment activities. By explaining the necessity of peace and the importance of women’s roles in peacebuilding, they successfully signed up 15 new members. Many women in the Netherlands expressed interest in IWPG’s activities and offered support for the role of women in peacebuildling and peace initiatives. |
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Interview of the Month
Establishing the IWPG Peace Monument in the Philippines
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Maria Theresa Royo Timbol
Philippines
Municipal Mayor of Kapalong, Davao del Norte |
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1. Mayor, what made you start erecting the monument?
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The first peace monument I witnessed that was unveiled was in Maragusan, and I wanted to build it here so that it can give a manifestation of a concrete peace monument for this generation and the next generation to come.
I really started to… It was just a dream but I wanted it to be realized because I will not be here forever as the Municipal Mayor, and I could not be forever advocating for peace, so I wanted to have this built. And especially, I wanted to let the next generation to see how important to be a peace advocate. So we need this physical manifestation of advocating for peace. |
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2. What does IWPG Peace Monument mean for you, Mayor? |
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This IWPG Peace Monument is a reflection of what I have been advocating. I cannot just say it with my words but I wanted it to see in this peace monument, because IWPG is the group that made me, that opened my eyes how important for women to advocate for peace. We need a heart of women to continue advocating for peace; start in our family, then go to our community. |
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3. What does IWPG Peace Monument mean for Davao Del Norte? |
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Currently, I am also the Chairperson of the One DavNor Council of Women in Davao del Norte. I hope my life, what I’ve been advocating for peace in the Municipality of Kapalong, I can radiate it to some other women in Davao del Norte. |
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4. What do you expect about the result or impact that the monument will make?
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There will be a very big impact for our generation in Kapalong, and I’m sure more people will come here and see the biggest peace monument in the whole Philippines and in the whole world. They wanted to see what’s in here in the Municipality of Kapalong. With this message that we have here, I hope they’ll put that in their hearts and in their mind. |
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5. What is the vision of Mayor on peace and women of Davao Del Norte?
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All I wanted is to sustain this even if I’m no longer the leader of the municipality, I hope I can continue working with IWPG and all our Council of Women, organizations, the different sectors of women organization in Kapalong and in Davao del Norte. |
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6. What is the vision related to IWPG?
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The vision with IWPG is that we’ll continue to be part of women that support the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War. We already have started that–I think that was before COVID time–we sent thousands of signatures from our women, not just in Kapalong, also, we also campaigned from other municipalities. So our names are now listed with the UN, we sent that to HWPL, and I’m sure the signatures we sent at the United Nations. |
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7. What can women do over the world to work for peace of their community?
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The women in the world, we have different problems from our own families, from all other communities, but we have to fight for that, but most importantly, please be an advocate for peace. There can be no development and it’s so difficult to live in a place with war, the place with conflict. So, God has given us the passion to do better for our community. Peace starts with me. |
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Brief Comments by the Delegation |
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- Dong Eun Choi, HQ Director General of International Affairs
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“Philippines, once again becoming a starting point of international affairs.” |
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It was encouraging to meet the dedicated figures working hard for IWPG in the field, and I felt a sense of responsibility and anticipation to plan meaningful projects for them in the future.
I aim to provide women’s peace education to special groups, such as female police officers, closely confronted with violence and make the case recognized internationally. Beginning with evaluating PLTE’s educational impact in the Philippines, I plan to collect data to be applied to other countries or reflected to policy-making. |
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- Da Jung Choi, HQ Division Manager of International Affairs
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“Despite the short duration, it was a valuable time that allowed me to recognize my areas of growth and areas for improvement.” |
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I found that in the Philippines people have a deeper understanding of the value of peace and peace work. As part of the HQ delegation, I learned the significance of my job and felt compelled to reflect more deeply on it. Through more experiences, I want to improve my skills.
In terms of the importance and value of peace work, I will need to make an effort to reflect more and try to find a deeper meaning for myself. |
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- Hee Young Park, Global Region 1 Director General of International Affairs
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“I learned that we could bear many fruitful results through the figures who understand the value of peace.”
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Through the insights of someone who understands the value of peace work, we were able to establish the monument of peace as a result. Witnessing the city transformed into a city of peace, I realized one person’s change can create a larger positive impact. I felt we should love the figures and make sure that the peace monument communicates its true significance so they can be established all around the world.
I need to think more critically on how to network with influential figures and activate PLTE further. |
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Information on Periodic Membership Dues 📨 |
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Click the button below, if you want to pay the IWPG periodic membership dues or to donate.
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International Women’s Peace Group
Chairwoman Hyun Sook Yoon
2nd Floor 22, Mabang-ro 4-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea (Yangjae-dong, Daewon Building)
Tel 02-577-7440 Fax 02-576-5990 E-mail iwpg@iwpg.org |
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