HWPL Convenes International Online Forum to Advance Community-Led Peace in the Middle East

As the Middle East continues its long journey toward recovery and reconciliation, new efforts are emerging that place local voices at the center of peacebuilding. On December 19, 2025, Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) hosted an international online forum focused on strengthening peace through cooperation among local communities in the region.

The forum, titled “International Online Forum for the Realization of Peace in the Middle East: Building Sustainable Peace through Community Cooperation,” brought together former and current officials, civil society leaders, and professionals from Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries. The discussion emphasized peace initiatives rooted in regional experience rather than externally imposed solutions.

Centering Local Experience in Peacebuilding

Iraq’s modern history reflects both deep tragedy and long-standing coexistence among diverse religious and ethnic communities. Events such as the 1988 Halabja massacre remain an important reference point in conversations about reconciliation, human rights, and national healing. At the same time, Iraq has entered a post-conflict phase in which cooperation among local governments, religious institutions, and civil society groups has steadily increased.

HWPL organized the forum to highlight these local experiences and to encourage dialogue that reflects the realities faced by communities on the ground. Rather than approaching peace as a theoretical concept, the forum focused on practical pathways shaped by those who live and work in the region.

Launch of the Middle East Peace Implementation Committee

A key outcome of the forum was the official announcement of the Middle East Peace Implementation Committee. This newly launched body is designed as a long-term consultation platform bringing together civil society representatives, religious leaders, and legal and administrative professionals from across the Middle East.

According to the forum’s announcement, the committee is not intended as a one-time initiative. Instead, it aims to function as an ongoing, region-led mechanism to discuss how a culture of peace can be embedded within post-conflict societies. The structure reflects a shared understanding that sustainable peace requires continuous dialogue and cooperation among regional stakeholders.

Emphasizing Trust and Solidarity

During the forum, Pascal Isho Warda, former Iraqi Minister of Migration and Displacement and a current civil society activist, highlighted the importance of internal trust in peacebuilding efforts. She noted that peace in the Middle East cannot rely solely on external intervention, but must be built through restored trust and solidarity within local communities.

Her remarks underscored a recurring theme throughout the discussion: moving beyond past tragedies requires shared standards for coexistence and a collective commitment to reconciliation.

Next Steps Toward Regional Cooperation

Following the forum, HWPL outlined several follow-up actions to ensure continued momentum. These include advancing the operational framework of the Middle East Peace Implementation Committee, holding regular online roundtable discussions, and forming issue-specific working groups among participating leaders.

HWPL also announced plans to host an in-person event in Iraq in January 2026. This offline gathering is intended to provide civil society actors, religious figures, and legal professionals with an opportunity for direct engagement and deeper collaboration.

Through these step-by-step efforts, HWPL aims to support a sustainable, locally driven framework for peace cooperation—one shaped by the people of the Middle East themselves.

Source: https://vo.la/pR21iMf