IWPG Hosts Peace Talk at Columbia University to Empower Next-Generation Women Leaders
The event took place at Lerner Hall on Columbia University’s campus in connection with International Women’s Day, providing a platform for young participants to explore practical approaches to peace in today’s global environment.
Students from Columbia University and its graduate programs joined the discussion, sharing perspectives on how the next generation can contribute to peace and social cooperation.
Discussing Peace Solutions in a Time of Global Conflict
According to organizers, the event was designed to encourage university students to think about real-world solutions to conflict and explore the role of women as peace leaders.
Participants discussed how individuals can contribute to peace within their communities and considered practical actions that young people can take in response to global challenges such as war and social conflict.
The gathering highlighted the importance of empowering future leaders to participate in peacebuilding efforts.
Introducing IWPG’s Women’s Peace Education Program
During the event, IWPG introduced its Women’s Peace Education program, which is designed to train women as peace educators and leaders.
The organization explained that the program has already been introduced through collaborations with universities in several countries.
For example:
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Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco (UJAT) in Mexico has incorporated the program into its academic curriculum.
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In January 2026, IWPG signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Leyte Normal University (LNU) in the Philippines to provide training for 200 teachers.
These collaborations aim to expand peace education programs and strengthen women’s participation in peace initiatives in academic and community settings.
Students Participate in the PLACE Peace Campaign
Participants at the Columbia University event also experienced IWPG’s newly introduced PLACE campaign.
The name PLACE stands for “Peace as Lived And Connected Experience.”
The initiative is designed to collect and document real-life examples of how women practice peace in their daily lives.
During the session, students shared their personal experiences and perspectives on peace, writing about how peaceful actions can be practiced in everyday situations.
Dialogue With IWPG Leadership
The event also included a question-and-answer session with IWPG Chairwoman Yoon-ah Jeon, where participants asked questions about the role of women in conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
One participant, Ashley, a master’s student in Technology Management at Columbia University, said the event provided valuable insights.
She noted that she had already been interested in the topic of peace and found the discussion both informative and engaging. She also expressed interest in participating in future IWPG events.
Chairwoman Jeon stated that it was meaningful to engage with students at Columbia University and expressed hope that cooperation on women’s peace education could expand to the university, similar to existing partnerships with institutions in Mexico and the Philippines.
IWPG’s Global Peace Activities
IWPG is an international women-led NGO registered with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the UN Department of Global Communications (DGC), as well as the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family in South Korea.
The organization operates 115 branches in 122 countries and collaborates with over 900 partner organizations in 68 countries.
IWPG representatives are currently participating in the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in New York, continuing efforts to expand cooperation with the international community on women-led peace initiatives.
The Columbia University event highlighted how universities can serve as spaces for dialogue and education on peacebuilding, particularly for the next generation of women leaders.
Source: https://vo.la/MwMDr3w
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