From the solemn halls of the War Memorial of Korea to the grandeur of Gyeongbokgung Palace, young leaders from 43 countries came together in Seoul to reinterpret the meaning of peace and coexistence. The three-day HWPL International Youth Peace Program, held September 17–19 under the theme “We, the Living Legacy of Peace”, invited participants to explore Korea’s cultural heritage while reflecting on the scars of war and the responsibilities of peace.
Organised by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council, the program unfolded in three phases: Discover, Learn, and Act.
Discover: Remembering the Cost of War
On the opening day, participants toured the War Memorial, including the Korean War Room and the Statue of Brothers. Reflecting on the sacrifices of past generations, organizers asked: “What does peace mean to me, and what can I do to protect it?” Mrs. Laisani Sepo, Chairwoman of the National Youth Council of Fiji, remarked, “It takes strong willpower to keep moving forward despite the challenges and criticism we may face in building peace.”
Learn: Respect Through Culture and Dialogue
The second day emphasised cultural understanding. At Insadong, youth experienced traditional Korean arts, learning how respect for differences fosters exchange. Later, during a roundtable on “The Role of Youth in Spreading a Culture of Peace,” participants studied Articles 8–10 of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), which outline principles for preventing conflict and promoting interfaith harmony.
Mr. Alwand Talaat Jawhar Caluri of Iraq noted, “This kind of gathering can serve as a platform for exchanging best practices and learning from one another.”
On the final day, participants shared case studies from the Youth Engagement & Peacebuilding Working Group (YEPW) and developed action plans for 2027. At Gyeongbokgung Palace, they reflected on five values Inheritance, Respect, Responsibility, Change, and Harmony drawing inspiration from King Sejong’s creation of Hangeul as an example of leadership shaping future generations.
“Youths are not the future leaders. We are the leaders of today,” said Mr. Andrew Junior Mwima, CEO of the Mental Health and Anti-Drug Abuse Organisation, urging his peers to take the lead in peacebuilding efforts.
HWPL Secretary-General Kang Tae-ho emphasised that peace is not simply inherited but must be actively passed on: “Youth peace leaders are the ones who must carry that forward. I hope participants will take the answers they found in Korea and turn them into action in their own countries.”
For many, the program was transformative. Ms. Sarah Vermaut, a law student from Belgium, reflected: “I am just a student. Why would they listen to me? But if we think like that, we cannot change anything.”
