Ukraine Pursues Peace Education Amid War

 HWPL Expands Peace Curriculum Despite Conflict

Even amid the ongoing war, Ukraine continues to embrace peace through education. Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL, Chairman Man Hee Lee), a global peace NGO, hosted a 9.18 World Peace Summit 11th Anniversary commemorative event online on October 2, bringing together over 120 representatives from Ukraine’s education and civil society sectors.

The conference aimed to strengthen international solidarity, support Ukrainian society during wartime, and advance peace education as a foundation for rebuilding the nation.

Building Peace Through Education

During the event, HWPL announced key achievements from its cooperation with Ukrainian educational institutions. The organization has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with six regional and city Departments of Education and Science, four universities, 29 schools, and one early childhood education center across Ukraine, establishing a framework for ongoing peace education.

From 2024 to 2025, 25 institutions participated, with over 1,100 students completing the full HWPL Peace Education curriculum.

Natalia Kutsenko, Director of the Poltava State Medical and Pharmaceutical College under Poltava State Medical University, shared her experience:

“We are fighting for freedom, but at the same time, we must nurture a generation that can build a peaceful future. HWPL’s peace education is deeply meaningful—it teaches youth to cooperate, respect others, value life, and pursue harmony. Peace begins with education, and education begins with each of us.”

HWPL’s Peace Education Program is currently conducted in 112 countries worldwide, providing textbooks free of charge and training teachers to deliver lessons that foster empathy, gratitude, and respect. In Ukraine, these classes also aim to help students recover emotionally and develop peaceful conflict-resolution skills amid war.

“A Source of Strength for Our Students”

At Kherson School No. 47, all teachers completed HWPL’s peace instructor training after signing an MOU. Every grade now participates in regular peace education classes.

Vice Principal Yana Abramenko reflected:

“Even during the hardest times, students eagerly looked forward to these lessons. It was a space where they could speak openly and comfort each other. Peace education became real psychological support. Our students learned empathy, self-understanding, and how to choose dialogue over aggression.”

Jinmo Lee, Director of HWPL Global Group 1, thanked the educators in his address:

“We deeply appreciate every teacher in Ukraine who continues peace education despite the war. Your work inspires the world and serves as a model for others.”

He also reaffirmed HWPL’s ongoing call for Russia’s withdrawal and the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, urging peaceful resolution in accordance with international law.

Support and Solidarity from the Philippines

Representatives from the Philippine Department of Education also joined the event, expressing solidarity with Ukraine’s teachers and students.

Delegates included Rolando Talon Jr., Antonio Faustino Jr., Josefina Monsaga, and Emilie Quintos, as well as Abdulla Salic Jr., Minister of Education for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The Philippine delegation—whose region endured 40 years of civil conflict that claimed over 120,000 lives—shared their own experience of transformation. Following Chairman Man Hee Lee’s mediation of a civilian peace agreement in 2014, Mindanao established a national peace accord and implemented HWPL’s peace education in schools.

“Because we know the pain of war, we fully support Ukraine,” they said in a joint statement of empathy and encouragement.

 

HWPL’s Ongoing Efforts for Ukraine

HWPL officially condemned Russia’s invasion in February 2022, urging an immediate ceasefire, respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty, and adherence to international law.

In its statement, HWPL declared:

“Armed invasion cannot resolve any issue. The greatest victims of war and violence are always innocent civilians—women, youth, and children.”

The organization reaffirmed that “peace and dialogue are the only solutions,” calling on Russia to withdraw its forces and commit to peaceful negotiation.

HWPL emphasized that true global peace requires every nation to act with humanity and support refugees displaced by war.

Since then, HWPL has carried out humanitarian aid campaigns and refugee relief programs for Ukraine while continuing its peace education initiatives. Each year since 2020, around 1,000 Ukrainian students have completed HWPL’s peace education courses, forming the next generation of leaders who will rebuild their country through peace.

Source: https://vo.la/GEpESkL