IWPG Global 6 Hosts Peace Dialogue with Women Leaders from the UK, Switzerland, and South Africa

Women Leaders Unite for Peace

On September 19, the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) Global Region 6, led by Director Park So-young, hosted a meaningful Peace Dialogue at the Enford Hotel in Cheongju. The event brought together women leaders from the UK, Switzerland, and South Africa, coinciding with the 2025 World Women’s Peace Conference.

The gathering became a platform to exchange visions and share practical examples of peacebuilding efforts in each country. Attendees expressed strong support for IWPG’s mission to empower women’s leadership and expand peace education worldwide.

Voices from the Dialogue

• Mampurane Karon Kgomo, Deputy Director at South Africa’s Ministry of International Relations, stressed the importance of “building bridges of harmony, not walls of division.” She announced plans to launch the SASO-DPCW network in South Africa, reinforcing support for the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) as a framework for institutional peace.

• Lee Jung-soon, Peace Chair of IWPG’s Wonju Branch, highlighted that “peace does not come from others, but starts with me.” She reflected on her father’s experience during the Korean War and emphasized how peace education has awakened a sense of responsibility within her community.

• Chimere Bell, founder of Girl Code in the UK, spoke about challenges faced by youth, including isolation and inequality. She explained how education, mentoring, and solidarity can help young women find their voice and grow as peace leaders.

• Lalitha Balasubramanian from Switzerland shared how family dialogue and education are key to creating harmony at home and in society, noting how IWPG’s programs have positively transformed her own family.

New Partnerships and Commitments

During the dialogue, IWPG Global Region 6 signed an MOU with CARISMA, a civil society group based in Manchester, UK. The partnership will focus on community engagement, peace education, and joint activities to strengthen women’s participation in peacebuilding.

The event also included the appointment of Son Eun-young, Chairwoman of IWPG’s Chuncheon Branch, who expressed her determination to root peace within her community through education and support for the DPCW.

Expanding Women’s Peace Leadership

Director Park So-young emphasized that the collective voices of women worldwide can create a ripple effect of change:

“Just as small steps gather to form great waves, peace will grow in our daily lives and eventually bear fruit.”

The Peace Dialogue reaffirmed IWPG’s role as a trusted global women’s NGO, registered with the UN ECOSOC and DGC. With over 110 branches and 800 partner organizations worldwide, IWPG continues to lead initiatives such as women’s peace education, the Peace-Loving Drawing Competition, and campaigns to institutionalize peace through the DPCW.

Source: https://vo.la/uLx1kRA