Youth United for Peace: IPYG and 26 Countries Empower the Next Generation
From classrooms to global stages, HWPL and IPYG are fostering a new wave of peacebuilders.
In a world still plagued by war and division, young voices from 26 countries are rising together with one resounding message: We Are One. Behind this movement stands the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), a youth wing of HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light), under the leadership of Chairman Man Hee Lee.
Through educational empowerment and global collaboration, IPYG’s flagship program, the Youth Empowerment Peace Class (YEPC), is shaping young leaders to become ambassadors of peace in their communities and beyond.
YEPC 4th Edition: Building Peace Literacy Across 26 Nations
From April to June 2024, the 4th session of YEPC reached youth across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Each country customized the curriculum to local needs, while sharing a unified global goal—promoting peace and civic responsibility.
Key Themes and Highlights:
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Youth & Peace: Explored the evolution of warfare and the foundation of the DPCW (Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War).
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Emergency Response Training: Taught youth practical life-saving techniques.
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Religious Understanding & Harmony: Discussed life, aging, and death through the World Religious Peace Academy (IRPA).
Youth participants from Zambia to Austria shared personal testimonies of transformation. Emmanuel Sakala, a national youth coordinator in Zambia, said,
“This program helped me understand the causes of war and the values of peace. We must educate the next generation and support the DPCW as a global policy.”
Others like students from Mauritius and South Africa emphasized how the course helped them see beyond religious and cultural differences to recognize a shared spiritual humanity.
From Knowledge to Action: Youth as Local Peacebuilders
YEPC is more than education—it's a movement. Graduates join YEPW, IPYG’s local working groups, where they initiate peace activities, workshops, and advocacy campaigns within their regions.
With support from IPYG, these groups are now equipped to:
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Organize community-based peace discussions
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Promote intergenerational understanding
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Campaign for DPCW support at national and international levels
One participant summed it up best:
“Peace is not just a dream—it’s a responsibility. And we, the youth, are its carriers.”
9.18 HWPL World Peace Summit: 10 Years of Global Unity
On September 18, 2024, over 30,000 attendees gathered at the HWPL Peace Training Institute in Gapyeong, South Korea, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the HWPL World Peace Summit.
The event honored a decade of partnerships, including:
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New agreements with intergovernmental bodies like G7+ and PARLATINO
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Global participation from over 158 countries
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Over 10,000 peace messages from civil society organizations
In his keynote, Chairman Man Hee Lee called on religious leaders to unite for dialogue rather than division, saying:
“Only through love and peace can the world become one.”
From Local Cities to Global Campaigns
The summit also launched the nationwide peace initiative, "Donghaeng: Connecting Korea." This grassroots campaign now partners with over 230 civic groups to promote intergenerational unity and social healing through peace actions.
Events across 122 countries followed the main ceremony, proving that HWPL’s peace network is not limited to one country, but is a global force powered by youth, educators, faith leaders, and everyday citizens.
A Legacy of Peace in Motion
What began with a vision from one man—Chairman Man Hee Lee—has become a worldwide movement driven by empowered youth, collaborative partnerships, and a shared hope for a war-free future.
As HWPL and IPYG continue to expand peace education through YEPC and celebrate milestones like the 9.18 summit, one thing is clear: peace is no longer a passive wish. It’s an active choice—and young people are choosing it boldly.
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