Warm Harmony: Citizens and Organizations Join Hands for Peace in Incheon

On August 30, 2025, the Incheon Gyeyang Branch of the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) took a meaningful step toward building peace through collaboration. At the Space Share Room in Imhak-dong, IWPG signed a peace Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with three organizations—Best Shield, the International Cauldron Sharing Federation (국제가마솥나눔연맹)  Incheon Association, and the Incheon Vietnamese Community Association.

The agreement was not held behind closed doors, but during a citizen-participation event, the “Harmony Sharing Café,” creating an atmosphere of unity between organizations and local residents.

Expanding Peace Through Partnership

The MOU commits the four organizations to pursue:

• Joint campaigns for spreading a culture of peace

• International civil solidarity

• Community-focused programs that bring real benefits to local citizens

This inclusive approach ensures that peace is not only a topic for leaders but also a shared responsibility with everyday citizens.

Citizens’ Voices for Peace

At the event, participants took part in a peace campaign under the theme “Shall We Join Peace Together?” Attendees wrote messages of hope and signed their names in support. Messages included:

• “With a mother’s heart, we will stop war and protect peace.”

• “Your small step today can change the future of humanity.”

These heartfelt words reflected the collective desire for a more peaceful tomorrow.

Organizations Leading by Example

Among the MOU partners, Best Shield’s co-representative Park Chan, who also leads the Dream Tree Scholarship Support Association, has already been contributing to child welfare in Bupyeong by supporting students at local children’s centers. Such efforts show how community care naturally connects with the broader mission of peace.

A Special Agreement in Harmony

IWPG Gyeyang Branch Director Kang So-young shared,

“Today’s agreement was especially meaningful because it was made in harmony. When different organizations unite and citizens add their names, peace is truly realized.”

Other representatives echoed this sentiment, noting that the open and inclusive nature of the signing—taking place in a public space rather than a closed meeting—left a deep impression. They emphasized that the day was a reminder of the importance of walking together in solidarity.

Looking Ahead

The IWPG Gyeyang Branch plans to continue building strong ties with local and international organizations, reinforcing civil-led peace initiatives. The signatures and peace messages gathered at this event will be delivered to IWPG’s ongoing domestic and global peace campaigns, ensuring that citizens’ voices reach far beyond Incheon.

This peace MOU demonstrates how harmony between organizations and citizens can become a powerful force for change. By blending formal agreements with community participation, IWPG and its partners are showing that peace is not just an idea—it is something people can practice together in daily life.

Source: https://vo.la/oT8ai4S