Month: Feb 2025

Cape Town, 22 February 2025 – In a decisive move towards building safer communities, key stakeholders gathered at Bertha House in Mowbray to establish the Peace My City Committee, a dedicated task force aimed at reducing gun violence and promoting firearm-free zones in Cape Town. 

The initiative is being led by the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), with support from Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG), Soka Gakkai International, Lerato Foundation and Gun Free SA. Together, they have committed to working closely with communities in Bonteheuwel, Langa, and Manenberg—areas that have long struggled with the devastating effects of gun violence. 

Among those present at the inaugural meeting were Marie Louise, Aziz Hartley, Patsy Daniels, Hon. Khalid Sayed, Monique Hansen, Mr. Herbert, and Professor Brian Williams. The committee members emphasized the need for collaborative, community-driven solutions to address the root causes of violence and the importance of engaging local leaders, schools, and religious institutions to establish firearm-free zones. 

Speaking at the meeting, Professor Brian Williams discussed the different types of violence that must be considered when addressing issues at their root, including direct, structural, and physical violence. He emphasized the need to shift energies from negative to positive and highlighted the absence of systems and structures that support peace, stressing the importance of understanding the nature of violence itself.  Ms Monique Hansen educated the group on gun violence, sharing insights from Gun Free SA’s research and ongoing projects to track firearms in communities, as well as potential collaborative efforts.

The Peace My City initiative aligns with the African Union’s Silencing the Guns 2030 Agenda and HWPL’s Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), particularly Article 2, which advocates for the reduction of arms stockpiles and the prevention of illegal firearm distribution. 

The committee will meet monthly to oversee the implementation of quarterly projects focused on awareness campaigns, community dialogues, peace walks, and policy advocacy for the designation of firearm-free zones. 

With IPYG leading the way and the collective support of HWPL, IWPG, Gun Free SA and other organisations this initiative aims to create meaningful change and ensure that Cape Town’s communities can thrive in safety and peace.

About IPYG

The International Peace Youth Group (IPYG) is a global youth organization dedicated to fostering peace, unity, and conflict resolution through grassroots activism and international cooperation. As a key partner of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), IPYG empowers young people to take an active role in peacebuilding initiatives, advocating for disarmament, social justice, and sustainable development. Through education, community engagement, and global campaigns, IPYG works to create a world where youth are at the forefront of driving meaningful change and securing a peaceful future for all.

Women leaders from New Zealand, the UK, Malawi, and South Africa come together to pledge to practice peace

International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) Global 6 (Director, So Yoeong Park) hosts ‘PLTE (Peace Lecturer Training Education) Graduation Ceremony’ for oversea branch on 25th. This graduation ceremony was attended by 70 people, and was an opportunity for women leaders from New Zealand, the UK, Malawi, and South Africa to come together and pledge to practice peace and share their ideas.

PLTE is IWPG’s core educational program that aims to spread the values ​​of peace and deter war based on women’s motherhood in the midst of war and conflict.

So Yeong Park Global region 6 director said, “The women’s peace education you have studied goes beyond simply imparting knowledge, and it becomes the basis for realizing the value of peace and building the peace the world needs. I hope that you will become the center of peace and the focal point for advancing peace.”

Caron Kgomo(Deputy Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, South Africa) conveyed her congratulations by saying “I commend the graduates of the women’s peace education program for their dedication and achievements, which embody hope for a more peaceful future. By sharing what you’ve learned and inspiring others to join, you can help build a global community dedicated to spreading peace. Your efforts will create lasting change and plant the seeds of a brighter tomorrow.”

Lindiwe Matanya, executive director for Women for Fair Development (WOFAD) in Blantyre Malawi, who graduates said “The most important lesson from the women’s peace education of  IWPG is that peace begins with oneself. When inner peace is present, one can manage conflicts wisely and foster harmony within families and communities. However, without inner peace, discord can arise. Ultimately, creating a peaceful world starts with self-reflection and cultivating peace within.”

With the passion of women, peace education has achieved great results, producing 1,200 graduates in 42 countries including Korea. MOUs were signed with the Ministry of Women of Uganda and Cote d’Ivoire to successfully conduct women’s peace education at the national level. In Mexico and other countries, large-scale education was conducted as the number of applicants for peace education increased explosively through online platforms.

Meanwhile, IWPG is a global women’s NGO registered with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the Department of Global Communication (DGC). It is headquartered in Korea and has 114 branches and 808 cooperative organizations around the world. With the vision of ‘realizing sustainable world peace,’ it is actively working to expand solidarity needed in the world, spread a culture of peace, provide women’s peace education, and enact laws and systems.