Concerted Action for Sustainable Peace: Cases of Citizens of Peace

Ten Recommendations on International Cooperation in Peace Journalism and Its Role for Response to Pandemic Crisis

Educators and journalists are working with HWPL, and by inspiring citizens with the spirit of peace, they are spreading the culture of peace. Starting from 2020, we’ve been constantly reminded of how valuable it is to have a sense of peaceful normalcy, and the media coverage of HWPL’s peace activities shot up. The media reported HWPL’s peace projects via video, audio, websites, paper, and social media four times more in 2021 compared to the previous year.

In addition, “Voice of Peace“, a media forum for journalists was hosted in February. The forum discussed social trends and future responses through the lens of journalists’ expertise and perspective. There, journalists and news media voiced a message of self-reflection and set ten principles for the media industry in the new normal era.

Mr. Supalak Ganjanakhundee, Thailand, Former Editor of The Nation Newspaper
“I agree with the ten recommendations at the outcome of the February meeting for a number of reasons. Given that the COVID pandemic keeps people away from social engagement, therefore, the media will play a crucial role in bringing news and information to the people. Media in individual country cannot work alone to spread information, so it is important for media to cooperate with one another in order to share correct and accurate information to the public.”

Education, a solution for peace, HWPL Peace Education Program

To bring up future peace leaders, HWPL’s Peace Education Process provides set of textbooks on peace and in-class activities such as learning sections, presentations, and discussions that allow students to systematically develop values of peace. In addition, the peace educator training program and its guidelines are provided to schools and educational institutions so that teachers who completed it can teach it in schools and local communities.

HWPL’s Peace Education provides two tracks: student learning and teacher training. So far, 214 educational institutes have partnered with HWPL for Peace Education, and it is being conducted in 53 schools.

Notably, peace education in the Philippines, India, and Romania is showing great progress. At Jagadguru Narendracharyaji Maharaj Educational Institute (JNMEI), a school in India, students attend a peace education session titled “The Power to Overcome Coronavirus: Gratefulness.” And students in Romania are celebrating completing all 12 chapters of the Peace Education course.

Gauri Pramod Kamerkar, India, Jagadguru Narendracharyaji Maharaj Educational Institute (JNMEI) Student
“There are many changes in my life that has started when learning peace education. The first change in my life is that I'm starting my each day with a positive thought and a grateful heart.”

John Benedict Bonifacio, Philippines, Dingras National High School, Poblacion Campus Student
“I believe that we have all been born to this world to defeat the desire of war and bring peace to the Earth. Together, let us truly recreate the world with education of love and peace.”

In June, Florent Pasquier, a professor at Sorbonne University, completed the peace educator training course. He says peace education should be included in the mandatory curriculum. And in the Commonwealth of Dominica, Octavia Alfred, the Minister for Education & Human Resource Development, proposed to include HWPL Peace Education in the curriculum of all public schools.

M. Florent Pasquier, France, Professor of Sorbonne University
“In my case, I don't teach children but young adults and adults at the Master levels 1 and 2 in education and training. The way HWPL treats peace education programs is clearly the result of a long process of reflection, in which we see a progression. Peace education for students in France seems absolutely necessary to me. It should be a part of the school curriculum. It is no longer an option. It should be a part of a common core of education, of a basic curriculum, so that one at least knows that it exists.”

Octavia Alfred, Dominican Republic, Ministry of Education, Minister
“We are speaking today about the HWPL peace curriculum, which was introduced into the schools' curriculum in Dominica as part of the health and family life education. HWPL is a wonderful program. We're excited about it. And we know that HWPL will take root in Dominica. And it has already begun. And when this thing is fully implemented, we just cannot wait to see the fruits of that curriculum. And we are sure that Dominica will be sharing the fruits of HWPL with other countries. We are just so glad that we were chosen. We just cannot stop thanking you for choosing Dominica.”

From Mindanao to Ilocos, the wind of peace sweeps across the Philippines

On July 19, Cotabato City in Mindanao held an unveiling ceremony of the HWPL Peace Monument – the third of its kind in the city. This peace monument – a form of piled rocks and stones – was made by local citizens who brought rocks from all across Mindanao Island. It is a symbol of solidarity free of division or discrimination and people’s hearts and minds brought together for peace.

In Barangay Foz in the Ilocos Norte region, a municipality in the northern Philippines, students took HWPL Peace Education courses for the past year. Influencing their parents and the community with peaceful inspirations, the students brought positive change to the local community. Now, Barangay Foz of Ilocos Norte has been transformed into a community of peace, and students and citizens are donating and volunteering to build a garden of peace.

Ms. Avon Camille Cato Llanes, Philippines, HWPL Peace Educator
“Starting with peace education, our community has become more involved in peace activities. Among these was the "Planting the Trees of Peace Campaign," which serves as a promise to build a peace monument in the future. Just after a month, people of Barangay Foz started to make this promise a reality aiming to contribute this peace monument for the September 18th 7th Anniversary of the World Peace Summit. The land where the peace monument is being erected was donated by the parents of students, who enrolled their children and studied HWPL Peace Education. What made it more special was when the peace monument became a solution to resolve the conflict between the two families because both of them were fighting over the land, but they decided to donate the land instead to resolve the conflict. The peace park and peace monument became a catalyst to work hand-in-hand together as one community.”