Expanding Peace Discourse: HWPL and IPYG Netherlands Participate in 'Talent for Good Forum 2026'

The pursuit of sustainable peace increasingly relies on fostering open dialogue and cross-sector collaboration within civil society. In a significant stride toward expanding international peace networks, the Netherlands branches of the international peace NGO HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light) and its youth affiliate, the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), participated in the 'Talent for Good Forum 2026'.

Held at The Hague University of Applied Sciences, the forum was co-hosted by The Hague Humanity Hub and the university. The event convened 61 diverse organizations—including students, young professionals, educational institutions, NGOs, and international agencies—to discuss social impact careers, future societal challenges, and collaborative networks.

A Convergence of Civil Society Leaders

The forum served as a high-level platform for discussing trust-building and the evolving role of civil society. Key global figures in human rights, youth advocacy, and international cooperation attended the event, including:

• Rick Lawson, Director of the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights

• Emma Bedner, Chair of the Advisory Council on Youth of the Council of Europe

• Marieke van Iperen, CEO of Settly

The presence of these experts underscored the growing necessity of integrating youth perspectives into mainstream human rights and international cooperation frameworks.

Promoting Grassroots Engagement: The 'Peace Talk' Platform

During the Talent for Good Fair, HWPL and IPYG Netherlands operated a dedicated exhibition booth to showcase their flagship local initiative, ‘Peace Talk’.

This civic dialogue platform, which has been actively deployed across the Netherlands in the first half of this year, enables citizens from diverse backgrounds to converse on peace, pressing social issues, and global challenges. The program received significant attention for its practical approach to enhancing mutual understanding and local civic participation.

Furthermore, representatives introduced the 'One Korea Peace Camp', an international peace and cultural exchange program scheduled to take place in South Korea this September. This initiative drew substantial interest from participants focused on cross-border dialogue and global peace initiatives.

Interdisciplinary Dialogues on International Law and Trust

Beyond the exhibition, both organizations actively engaged in the forum’s specialized workshops and breakout sessions.

Of particular note was an international law session led by Kushtrim Istrefi, Associate Professor of Public International Law and Human Rights at Utrecht University. The session provided an in-depth analysis of how international law functions as a vital mechanism for sustaining trust and cooperation amidst an increasingly complex global geopolitical environment.

Cultivating Platforms for Sustainable Peace

The active participation of HWPL and IPYG in the 'Talent for Good Forum 2026' highlights the critical role that structured dialogue plays in bridging institutional frameworks with grassroots civic action. Commenting on the significance of the event, an HWPL official stated:

"This forum served as a valuable platform to strengthen engagement with diverse stakeholders and to expand discourse on peace, civic participation, and international cooperation."

By continuous engagement in global hubs of justice like The Hague, these initiatives demonstrate that establishing peace is a continuous process of education, legal discourse, and intercultural communication—empowering global citizens to become active contributors to a unified world.

Source: https://vo.la/IKEJq6f