The International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) successfully hosted the preliminary rounds of the 6th International Loving Peace Art Competition (ILPAC) all around the world in June. The competition allows children and youth to envision and draw a world of peace.

IWPG has been signing MOUs and MOAs, urging support for the legislation of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), promoting Peace Lecturer Training Education(PLTE), enhancing civil society exchanges, and conducting publicity activities to strengthen women’s solidarity and expand peace initiatives.

Global Region 4 signs MOAs with organizations in Burkina Faso

On June 22, Global Region 4 signed MOAs online with Genit Care Africa and Village of Hamade Ouedraogo Foundation in Burkina Faso.

The signing ceremony was held with 11 participants, including the director of Genit Care Africa and the general director of the Village of Hamade Ouedraogo Foundation. 

Josiane Ouedraogo, the president of Genit Care Africa, remarked, “I am thankful to be able to walk the path toward peace cooperating with IWPG. Through peace education, women can strengthen solidarity and bond with one another and educate the right mindset to younger people.”

Sabine Ouedraogo, the general director of Village of Hamade Ouedraogo Foundation, promised, “Signing the MOA will make the seed of peace for respective countries. I feel honored and happy for our foundation to become the seed of peace. I will do my best to achieve peace.”

Global Region 2 signs MOUs with organizations in Ethiopia·Yemen

On June, Global Region 2 (Regional Director Seo Yeon Lee) signed MOUs with Ethiopian Women with Disabilities National Association (EWDNA, President Ms. Dibabe), Yemen Center of Art Culture and Folklore (Head Anisa Anis Hasson Abas), and Yemen Together We Rise Foundation (President Bushra Al-Saadi). 
EWDNA (Ethiopian Women with Disability National Association) is a local non-profit, non-government organization with headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It has 20,000 members in 9 Branches in Amhara and Oromia and works to socially, economically, and politically empower women with disabilities. 
Yemen Center of Art Culture and Folklore is a non-profit, non-government organization that gathers various young artists and creators in the region. Yemen Together We Rise Foundation works to humanitarian support for women and children, peacebuilding for freedom and rights, and empowerment of women and children. To accelerate the realization of peace, these groups decided to hold IWPG peace events and provide PLTE to local women.

The 6th International Loving-Peace Art Competition (ILPAC)held all around the world- spreading a culture of peace for the future generation

South Korea Jeonju, Gunsan, Jeongeup

Global Region 12 (Regional Director Soojeong Lee), including Jeonju, Gunsan, Jeongeup Branch, held the ILPAC preliminary round in each region on June 1, which attracted total 580 participants. 
Hayun Yang, a participant of the middle school division in Gunsan Branch, stated, “It’s heartbreaking to think about my friends saddened by wars. I drew a picture wishing for a happy and peaceful world without war.”

Wonju, Chungju, Chungcheon, Donghae, Sokcho, Jecheon

Seven branches (Wonju, Chungju, Chungcheon, Donghae, Sokcho, Jecheon) of Global Region 6 (Regional Director So Yeong Park) conducted the ILPAC preliminary and award ceremony on June 1. Global Region 8 Director So Yeong Park, remarked, “Even now when we enjoy peace daily, I hear news of wars and conflicts. The heartfelt drawings will be meaningful presents for children by conveying heartfelt consolation and love.” Students were also awarded special awards along with the best pieces from each division. 

Incheon

The Branches of Global Region 9 (Regional Director Mi Sook Lim) in Incheon jointly hosted the award ceremony of the ILPAC preliminary round on June 1. 

The preliminary competition on May 18 was held under the theme “a heart of peace conveyed to friends suffering from war” and gathered 500 children and youth. Three arts experts judged the competition on the same day. 105 paintings were selected for award-winning works and runner-ups, including 1~3rd place prizes each for the elementary, middle high school level, and awards of recognition.

The Regional Director Mi Sook Lim stated, “As you are making the first step towards action for peace, a peaceful world is not far away. I ask you all to become the guardians of peace.”

The 1st place winner, Lael Kim, a student at Majeon Elementary School, said, “I joined the competition last year, and it’s an honor and a pleasure to receive the award. I painted my work thinking of students living under threat without peace, wishing for them to live in the peaceful world.”

Masan, Geoje, Yangsan, Tongyoung, Jinhae

Wst Busan Gyeongnam Region held the 6th ILPAC preliminary round in Masan, Geoje, Yangsan and Tongyoung on June 1 and in Jinhae on June 3.

Uganda Branch 

The Uganda branch (Branch Manager Atuhura Primrose) held the ILPAC preliminary on June 1 at Mbazzi Riverside Primary and High School. A total of 24 participants participated in this event, including peace education on the horrors of war and the need for peace. One student participant, who depicted a world without war, remarked, “I was glad to be able to express the horrors of war and the necessity of peace through our talents.”

New York Branch, U.S.A.

The New York branch (Branch Manager Anysia) held the ILPAC preliminary round on June 2 in Queens Bridge Park in Queens, New York City. This was the first offline competition held in New York, and about 30 students and teachers from the city participated, expressing their wishes for peace in their works. Branch Manager Anysia said, “Participating in today’s competition is a chance to show your talents and share a vision of peace and unity with children worldwide. I hope this competition makes you reflect on the pain of war and the value of peace and that your artworks, illustrating the peaceful world to come, will become the seed of peace for others.”

Berlin Branch, Germany

The Berlin Branch (Branch Manager Yingyan Cao) held the preliminary round of ILPAC on June 8 at the Benn office in Berlin. Nine students and parents participated, discussing the practical aspects of peace for friends suffering from war. Although some participants could not attend in person, students of Alexandra von Humboldt Gymnasium and another school joined to create peace-themed paintings. A total of 45 works were submitted, and more students are expected to participate in the competition next year.

Indonesia Branch

Indonesia Branch (Branch Manager Ana Milana Puspita Sari) hosted the online and offline ILPAC preliminary rounds in five cities.

On June 19, approximately 60 teachers, students, and parents attended the preliminary competition at SMAN 1 Kuala Pembuang High School in Central Kalimantan. On June 20, 37 students participated in the preliminary competition at SMPN 1 Sampit Middle School.

On June 22, the preliminary round sponsored by the Islamic Education Foundation,was held at Sekolah Dasar Kurma in Salatiga City, Central Java. About 330 attendees attended, including elementary to high school students and guests. Nunuk Dartini MSi, head of the Salatiga City Education Department; Satuf Rohul Hidayah, president of the Islamic Education Foundation; and Sri Suwartiningsih, IWPG Peace Committee Representative, attended to encourage the participants.

On June 29, 50 elementary to high school students participated in an online competition. On June 30, 37 participants participated in the entry-level ILPAC at Lombok Mataram Cultural Park in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara.

A total of 702 elementary to high school students participated in the preliminary competition in Indonesia. The judges were Ni Ketut Ayu Sri Wardani, Supriyanto a.k.a Sentot Season, and Defvi Kurniawati Wijaya. Judge Defvi Kurniawati Wijaya encouraged the participants by saying, “Every child who made an effort to stop the war by participating in this competition is already a winner.”

Manila Branch, Philippines

On June 15, Manila Branch (Branch Manager April Otadoy) organized the preliminary round of the 6th ILPAC online competition. The event saw the participation of 37 students who competed remotely. This initial round set the stage for further assessments and evaluations of the students’ skills.Following this, on June 26, the competition continued in Midsalip, Zamboanga Del Sur, where 10 participants joined onsite. In addition to the competitive events, there was an exhibition featuring the participants’ drawings, allowing them to display their artistic talents. This exhibition provided a platform for the students to showcase their creativity and hard work, adding a visual and cultural dimension to the competition.

South Africa

The IWPG South Africa Peace Committee held the ILPAC  preliminary round on June 22 at Bonteheuwel High School in Cape Town. 168 people, including parents and participating students, attended the event. Soraya Salie, Chairperson of the Bonteheuwel Peace Committee, said, “I am very pleased to be able to host the ILPAC in Bonteheuwel for the third time, knowing that people often view Bonteheuwel negatively due to issues such as drugs and gangs.”

South Sudan, Cameroon, Thailand, Burundi

On June, four countries—South Sudan, Cameroon, Thailand, and Burundi—held the ILPAC preliminary round at local schools. 221 people attended these events, including students, teachers, and parents. The Thailand community was particularly enthusiastic for this year’s competition, as the country has produced international finalists every year. 

Jackline Nasiwa, Executive Director of the Centre for Inclusive Governance, Peace and Justice, organized the South Sudan event and stated, “I am pleased that students are participating in this excellent competition. The school was unaware of the student’s artistic talents until this event, and now they want to nurture a culture of peace. Our organization will support the school in establishing a peace club.”

Nembo Ekong Ntunkem Nengu, the coordinator of Cameroon Rural and Urban Grassroots Business Women Association, said, “I was delighted to see students participating in this event with the willingness to express peace. They enjoyed the artistic work where they poured their hearts and talents.”

Chuanjit Chomudom, a Senior Teacher at Pakkred Secondary School in Thailand, shared her impressions: “The students brilliantly expressed the theme of ending war for peace, and both students and teachers united to host the event successfully. Through this competition, students have developed a mindset for world peace. I believe if the world unites as one, peace will come.”

Afghanistan

On June 27, 30 students from Afghanistan International School participated in the preliminary round of ILPAC. One student said, “Peace reminds me of blessing, happiness, and hope. I want peace where children can study and play peacefully and parents do not need to worry about their children being injured. Principal Breshna Yarmand said, “It is a good education opportunity for children to think about peace while drawing.”

India, Bangladesh

On June, Global Region 3 held the ILPAC preliminary with Shanthi Socrates, Peace Committee Representative of Chennai, India. The event was hosted at Sri RKM Sarada Vidyalaya Main Girls Higher Secondary school, and children from Global English Medium School, Kunariya Gujrat. Sakshart drawing studios, and Nirman viva SoC in the Pune region also joined through Ballerina Management Institute (BMI). 1,843 students from Burikhali East Primary School in West Bengal, India, and Rong Pencil Academy and Cubic Art Center in Bangladesh joined to draw about peace. In this competition there were also several participants with hearing and language impairments to expressed their dreams of world peace through sign language to participate in the competition.

On June 27 and 28, Global Region 10 held the preliminary of the ILPAC with 200 students at Good Shepherd School at Tamil Nadu Kerala.

Global Region 5 (Regional Director Su Jin Park) held the ILPAC preliminary round on June 25 and 29 at Amcha Ghar English High School and Junior College, St.Mathew’s High School and Junior College, and Pragnya Bodhini High School in India. With 150 students from Amcha Ghar High School and about 900 students from Pragnya Bodhini High School, approximately 1,000 students enthusiastically participated in the competition.
In her remarks, Soo Jin Park, the Regional Director, encouraged the participants by saying, “Your works will inspire not only your friends but also adults. They will be a precious reminder of the importance of peace.”
A participating student said, “Many countries are currently at war. Through this competition, I want to spread peace across the world. War should not exist, and peace is needed now.” Another student shared, “Peace means freedom from all acts of violence in daily life— with parents, family, classmates, at school, or in front of strangers. Just as birds are free, we should always be free, and there should be peace in the world. I hope that more students will participate in this competition and join in spreading peace globally.”

Middle East

On June 15, the Middle East preliminary of the 6th ILPAC was held online. 30 children and youth joined from 8 countries including Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt. Yasoob, a participant, said, “I drew the Sun, Earth, Mars, and a rocket that says ‘Love Peace’. I’m honored to participate in this competition by IWPG, and I love peace.” Muhammad Usayd said, “We should stop killing peace with weapons. There are people living under war, so everyone needs peace and solidarity.” 

Ethiopia

On June 15, Global Region 2 held the preliminary award ceremony of ILPAC at Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia. Dr. Sewalem, a director of gender expert at Addis Ababa University, said, “We lost everything without peace. This is why everyone must join IWPG’s peace activities. I’m honored to be hear at the Ethiopia preliminary award ceremony of ILPAC. Let’s all focus on realizing true peace.One student participant of the event said, “Peace is as valuable as our lives. I express my heart for peace through my drawing, and I believe peace is loving my Ethiopian friends.” Global Region 2 International Affairs coordinator Esther Kim emphasized the responsibility of adults by saying, “Drawing about peace is an investment on the future generation and the essence of education rooted in the development of the personalities and mental faculties of children. The ILPAC held here in Ethopia where the African Union (AU) headquarters is located is also valuable. I hope an exhibition of the award-winning pieces of the 5th ILPAC is held at the AU.” 

Peace Lecturer Training Education (PLTE)
-Peace Realized through Female Peace

Ethiopia·Colombia

On June, Global Region 2 held online/offline PLTE sessions with female leaders and members in Ethiopia and Colombia. Peace Lecturer Ediht Castaño said, “I’m grateful to IWPG for giving me the opportunity to lecture. It was meaningful because the students could understand the ways to achieve peace.” Faru Hunduma, a student, said, “I’m glad that IWPG is working to spread a culture of peace. Ms Tsedenia Solomon Desta, lecturer of Addis Ababa University, said, “Peace definitely begins with me.” 

Myanmar·Cameroon·Burundi

On June 19~21, Global Region 4 hosted a Peace Awareness Seminar at Monastery Myitkyina Myint Nyein Aye in Myanmar. A total of 30 people participated, and peace lecturers Kham Yin, Nang San Hkaung, and Nang Ai Horm Kham gave lectures on PLTE Lesson 1, 8, 9 in turn. 

Kham Yin, director and founder of Shan Women Development Network, stated, “Politics in Myanmar is unstable under the ongoing civil war. The seminar participants are defectors from the Waingmaw region. Near the border area of Myanmmar, people feel threatened with their lives but have yearnings for peace and much interest in peace education course.”

In Cameroon and Burundi, PLTE was held twice a week in June, covering sessions 9 through 10. Manuela Ada said about her experience, “I have more tools to manage a peace training course and information about women’s movement for world peace. I also had the opportunity to take part in relevant forums and conferences. I was able to contribute to expand peace in my local community and talk about the significance of people’s participation.”

Pakistan

Global Region 10 held PLTE Class 24-2 session 2 online, with an orientation on June 8. Peace lecturer Asma Riaz taught session 2 on “The virtues of global citizens for achieving peace.”
Sara, one of the students, said, “I realized that respect, tolerance, justice, devotion and harmony are interwoven and essential to making peace come true.” Kiran remarked, “I learned that peace begins with respect for others rather than those I care for. Father Lee Tae Seok’s devotion to South Sudan made me understand the meaning and value of participating in IWPG’s peace movement.”

Networking and Cooperation-Meeting with citizens who want peace

Global Region 3 appoints H.E. Maria de Fátima Afonso Vila Nova, First Lady of Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, as IWPG Advisory 

On June 5, Global Region 3 met with H.E. Maria de Fátima Afonso Vila Nova, First Lady of Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe at Shilla Hotel in Seoul an appointed her as IWPG Advisory. H.E. Maria gave a congratulatory speech at the 2023 IWPG International Women’s Peace Conference and has been working as IWPG’s peace partner ever since. As an IWPG Advisory, she will continue to engage in IWPG peace initiatives like ILPAC and peace education for children.

Global Region 10 holds International Women’s Peace Network Regular Meeting in Tokyo

On June 29, Global Region 10 held the International Women’s Peace Network Regular Meeting in Tokyo with 22 IWPG members from Japan, Korea, Pakistan, India, and Kazakhstan. Kiran, a PLTE student, said, “Through AIR SHODOU, I could experience other cultures and learn their thoughts and ways of life. Insightful training is helpful for achieving my goal and gives me internal satisfaction and peace. I believe that peace in the family, community, country, and world spreads through the internal harmony of people.”

Global Region 8 meets with Alice Moyo, Director of Fortitude Arts Gallery 

On June 28, Global Region 8 had an online meeting with Alice Moyo of Fortitude Arts Gallery. She is an artist that draws about self-management and mental health and has received various wars for her work. 
Global Region 8 introduced ILPAC, one of IWPG’s initiatives. She said, “I’m impressed that IWPG involves women and children into the important work of peace and uses art as a means of communication.” She added that we wishes to cooperate with IWPG in Zambia.  

Global Region 5 has meeting on ILPAC in India 

On June 24, Global Region 5 had an online meeting with Pragnya Bodhini High Scool of India on hosting the ILPAC. The officials of the school, Anjum Panna, Shweta Kotian, and Sarika Chavan, joined the meeting. Anjum Panna said, “It is important that children think about peace than merely draw well. I’m happy that 900 children joined us, and I hope they can express their thoughts their drawings.”

Washington D.C. Branch hosts Kids Peace Art Booth

On June, Washington D.C. branch (Branch Manager Deborah Ekweozoh) has being hosting a Kids Peace Art Making Booth every Wednesday at the Francis A. Gregory Library, engaging 5 mothers and 12 children from the community. This local initiative, inspired by ILPAC, aimed to promote peace through art by encouraging participants to reflect on and express what peace means to them and their community. The Branch hopes to expand this initiative to shine a bright light and spread the culture and mindset of peace to the Washington D.C. community.

Promotional Activities
-Efforts to expand peace projects

Rotterdam Branch, Netherlands, conducts promotion activities

Rotterdam Branch (Branch Manager Niurka van Adrichem) promoted IWPG and recruited new members on June 22. The Branch explained the importance of peace and IWPG peace activities to the women in Netherland, and 15 new members joined as a result. 

Interview of the Month

Tumurkhuyag Enkhtaivan
Mongolia
IWPG Mongolia Branch Manager

1. Please introduce yourself.

Hello, I am T.Enkhtaivan, the Branch Manager of IWPG Mongolia Branch. I worked for 27 years in the implementation organization of the Social Security Policy of the Government of Mongolia, in the family, children, women and community sector. In particular, we worked to improve the quality of life of target groups and to improve the legal framework for combating violence.

2. How did you find out about IWPG and how did you join and become a branch director?

My name is Enkhtaivan. It means “peace” in English. Before, I didn’t understand the meaning of my own name. However, I liked the unique simplicity of IWPG’s vision, goals, and activities, and peace education was a great training that reawakened the essence of humanity, which is disappearing day by day, and gave us the consciousness to remember every step of the day. After participating in this course, I understood the true meaning of my name, and then I decided to keep pace with women who have the same ambition in the world as my life goal, and learn from them as well.

3. Do you have special beliefs about the activities of the branch as branch manager?

Mongolia is a country with a small population, a large territory, and a nomadic culture. Also, since ancient times, they are a people who value peace, have unique customs to protect the environment, and respect their ancestors. The other side of it all is peace. Therefore, IWPG not only helps women understand the goals and activities of their organization, but also believes that peace activities will develop widely.

4. What are your biggest successes and achievements since becoming a branch manager?

In June 2023, a little garden of peace was established in Mongolia and a Peace monument was erected. The main problem in the implementation of this project was to obtain permission and support from the management of the local government organization. Therefore, the main idea of the project was to create a healthy, safe and pleasant environment for elders, women and children to spend their free time properly. Also, our women take care of the Peace Monument and clean the area regularly and voluntarily every month, which creates a positive impression on the residents.

5. Is there anything you would like to convey to the IWPG Peace family?

As the Mongolians say, “A drop in the ocean is useful.” We are all drops that make up the ocean of “Peace.” Therefore, if you exist as a drop, we will become an ocean. Without a drop, it is not an ocean. Because every drop counts, if everyone feels valued and works hard, peace is close at hand.

6. What do you think is the most important thing in peace?

Peace begins with learning to love others as you love yourself. It is important to able to understand and feel that this is simple.