IWPG Busan East Branch Concludes 7th Women’s Peace Education Program

The International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) Busan East Branch successfully concluded its 7th Women’s Peace Education program, which was held online from September 2 to 12, 2025. Over the course of 11 days, participants were reminded of their role as women to become leaders of peace.

Women as the First Teachers of Peace

This year’s program was conducted under the slogan:
“The first teacher in our lives is our mother—women, it is you.”

Designed to help women recognize themselves as agents of peace, the education also prepared participants to grow into certified peace instructors. The program consisted of eight sessions, and graduates received an official IWPG Peace Instructor Certificate.

Core lessons emphasized:

• Peace begins with respecting and loving oneself.

• Where respect and love are absent, conflict and division arise; where they exist, peace grows.

• The seed of peace is like a dandelion puff—one person’s small change can spread and transform society and the world.

Voices from the Participants

One participant, Ha Mi-yeon, reflected:

“I realized peace is not something grand, but something that begins with my small attitudes and actions. I will first change myself and practice respect and love. Like dandelion seeds, I hope that will spread peace to those around me.”

A Growing Global Movement

According to IWPG, from 2018 to 2025, a total of 6,532 people in 95 countries enrolled in Women’s Peace Education, with 4,099 graduates completing the program. Among them, 411 women have become peace instructors, actively spreading the values of peace worldwide.

Branch Director Jang Myeong-ok emphasized:

“This program was not simply about transferring knowledge. It was a process that encouraged students to think and act for themselves. I hope they could directly experience that women can be the foundation and the connectors of peace.”

About IWPG

The International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) is a women’s NGO registered with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the UN Department of Global Communications (DGC). With 115 branches in 122 countries and partnerships with more than 800 organizations, IWPG works to realize sustainable world peace through women’s peace education, spreading a culture of peace, and advocating for the legislation of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW).

Source: https://vo.la/qkstftx