HWPL Strengthens Peace Education Partnerships in Timor-Leste and India

As wars and violence continue to divide humanity, the Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) is sowing the seeds of peace through education. From Timor-Leste to India, new partnerships are proving that peace education is not optional, but essential.

Peace Education Vision Forum in Timor-Leste

On June 2, 2025, HWPL and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Culture (MESCC) of Timor-Leste co-hosted the Peace Education Vision Forum (Forum Visi Pendidikan Tinggi) in Dili.

Representatives from 22 delegates across 17 higher education institutions gathered to discuss how to integrate peace education into academic curricula.

• Maria Filomena Lay Guterres, Director-General of MESCC, opened the forum, stressing:

  “In academia, peace education is no longer a choice but a necessity.”

  
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HWPL presented its global peace education activities, followed by open discussions with university presidents and faculty.

• Dr. Acacio Cardoso Amaral, President of Betano Polytechnic Institute (IPB), expressed agreement that “the root of war lies in human greed.”

• Dr. João Soares Martins, President of the National University of Timor-Leste (UNTL), noted challenges with integrating peace education into national curricula but affirmed that collaboration with HWPL through extracurricular programs was possible. UNTL formally signed an MOU with HWPL.

• The Baucau Teacher Training Institute (ICFP) also signed an MOU after Professor Luciana shared her commitment to report the forum’s outcomes to her university president.

By the end of the forum, three institutions—UNTL, IPB, and ICFP—signed MOUs with HWPL, marking a turning point for embedding peace education in Timor-Leste’s higher education system.

Maria Guterres concluded:

“Our Ministry will serve as a bridge for cooperation between higher education institutions and HWPL. Peace is an urgent task, and we hope every university will establish practical partnerships with HWPL.”

Expanding Peace Education in India

HWPL’s peace education efforts also advanced in India. On August 7, 2025, HWPL signed an MOU with the College of Commerce at Panchayat University in Gadag, formalizing cooperation in peace education. The university has already been conducting HWPL’s Eco Ten Minute Campaign in partnership with the National Service Scheme (NSS).

The campaign encourages communities to devote ten minutes daily to activities such as waste collection, tree planting, and water conservation—linking environmental care with peace awareness.

On the same day, HWPL’s Peace Education Department also discussed further cooperation with the principal of G-NTTF, exchanging signatures and photos to confirm their shared commitment.

At Akshara Techno School in India, HWPL’s youth division, the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), held a peace and environment event with 176 students. Activities included the Eco Ten Minute practice, student interviews, and a peace education introduction.

Student reflections highlighted the impact:

• “Even in just ten minutes, we realized we can do something meaningful for the environment. Small, consistent efforts build a sustainable world.”

• “Events like this remind me of my role in building a better society. If this were practiced every day, it would bring real change.”

Plober Rajer, known as “Cupman” from Plober India, added:

“Participating made me reflect on how I can share peace with more people. Our blogs and videos will be important channels for this.”

Building a Global Culture of Peace

HWPL emphasized that peace education does more than expand knowledge; it cultivates social harmony and equips the next generation to resolve conflicts peacefully. The partnerships in Timor-Leste and India demonstrate that schools and universities can become spaces of peace, dialogue, and tolerance.

Moving forward, HWPL plans to expand peace education and environmental initiatives to major Indian cities such as Bengaluru and Delhi, building momentum for the global adoption of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW).

From universities in Dili to classrooms in Gadag, HWPL is proving that peace education is a vital foundation for sustainable global peace.

Source: https://vo.la/jmevIpL