Key Highlights of the HWPL International Human Rights Webinar and Media Fellowship

On August 29, in observance of the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, HWPL hosted an online International Human Rights Webinar and Global Peace Media Fellowship.

• The Core Theme: "Remembering the Nuclear Legacy, Advancing Human Rights."
• The Participants: Journalists and media advocates from the Marshall Islands, Zambia, Malawi, Germany, Belgium, and beyond.
  
  
  

  

  Photo by Chewy C. Lin

  
  
• Key Topics Covered:
  • Eighty Years of Displacement: Chewy Lin (Marshall Islands Media) shared the ongoing plight of the Bikini Atoll islanders displaced by nuclear testing, noting that losing a homeland means losing identity and history.
  • Vulnerable Youth & Dignity: Ousman Kaliati (Times Group Malawi) highlighted how a lack of sanitation facilities directly impacts schoolgirls' education and mental health.
  • Media Ethics & Due Process: Andy Vermaut (Fundamental Rights of PostVersa) discussed journalistic responsibility, emphasizing the need to distinguish between allegations and evidence, especially regarding elderly defendants.
  • Amplifying Marginalized Voices: Andreas Klamm (lovepeacepeople.org) emphasized fact-grounded reporting that centers human dignity for people with disabilities and older adults.
    
    
    

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My Take: Why This Event Deeply Moved Me 

Watching this webinar, I was reminded once again why I am so incredibly proud to stand with HWPL. This wasn't just another dry, academic conference. It was a powerful, heart-wrenching, and ultimately inspiring reminder of why our collective work for peace and human rights is so urgent.

Here are the three big takeaways that really stuck with me as a supporter:

1. Peace Cannot Exist Without Healing Historical Wounds
Hearing Chewy Lin speak about the Bikini Islanders broke my heart. Hearing that elders are still repeating the words, "We want to go home" after 80 years is a stark reminder that the devastation of nuclear testing isn't buried in history books—it is an ongoing human rights crisis. It made me realize that our advocacy for peace isn't just about preventing future wars; it's about actively standing up for communities whose lives, cultures, and identities were shattered decades ago.

2. A Call for Truth and Empathy in the Media
In a world full of sensationalism and quick headlines, the discussion on journalistic responsibility hit home. The reminder from journalists like Andy Vermaut and Andreas Klamm that media professionals must protect human dignity—especially for the vulnerable, the elderly, and those who can't speak for themselves—is exactly the kind of ethical shift we need. It makes me value HWPL's media fellowship even more because they are actively training journalists to report with a conscience.

3. Dignity is a Universal Language
What I loved most about this webinar was how it connected the dots between seemingly different issues. Whether it is ensuring schoolgirls in Malawi have proper sanitation to stay in school, or ensuring an elderly defendant receives fair due process, it all boils down to one fundamental principle: honoring human dignity. HWPL has this beautiful ability to bring people from entirely different corners of the world together to realize we are all fighting the same fight.

This event left me feeling incredibly motivated. It proved that when we document the truth and listen to the voices of those directly affected, we can turn a painful legacy into a shield to protect the future. I am so grateful to be a part of this movement!

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A Massive Win for Peace: Paraguay’s National Assembly Officially Backs the DPCW!

We have some incredible news to share that proves our collective efforts and prayers for peace are truly changing the world. The Honorable Chamber of Deputies of Paraguay has officially adopted Declaration No. 1106, declaring the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of Wars (DPCW) to be an initiative of national interest.

For those of us who have been following HWPL's journey, this is the kind of breakthrough that makes all the hard work worth it. It is one thing to talk about peace on paper, but seeing a national government formally weave the DPCW into its legislative records is a massive step forward. Paraguay has explicitly reaffirmed its commitment to ending armed conflicts, protecting human rights, and building international harmony.

From a Spark in South Korea to a Regional Wave

What inspires me most about this update is seeing how a single meeting can snowball into a nationwide movement. This victory is a masterclass in persistent, strategic advocacy:

• March 14, 2025: It all started at the 9th Annual Commemoration of the DPCW in Cheongju, South Korea. Key Paraguayan leaders—including Carlos Núñez Salinas (Alternate President of PARLATINO) and Javier Esquivel (Minister of Public Defense)—attended the event. Being there, experiencing the global community's shared passion, clearly lit a fire under them.

• June 5, 2025: The momentum moved to Panama City, where the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (PARLATINO) adopted a sweeping resolution supporting the DPCW, urging all 23 member states to bring this framework to their home countries.

An HWPL representative discusses the DPCW resolution with Carlos Núñez Salinas,Deputy President of PARLATINO and National Deputy of the Chamber of Deputies of Paraguay.

Action on the Ground in Asunción

Alternate President Núñez Salinas didn't just leave that regional momentum at the border. He brought it straight home to Paraguay, opening doors for HWPL representatives to meet directly with Raúl Latorre, the President of the Chamber of Deputies.

But what really touches my heart as a supporter is that this isn't just high-level political posturing. On July 8, HWPL signed a formal cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Public Defense. The very next day, they were out in the local community together, hosting a backpack donation drive for local kids. This is what peace looks like in action—it builds relationships from the halls of parliament right down to the neighborhoods that need support.

An HWPL representative discusses the DPCW resolution with Carlos Núñez Salinas,Deputy President of PARLATINO and National Deputy of the Chamber of Deputies of Paraguay.

Why Declaration No. 1106 Matters So Much

Just a few weeks after those meetings, on July 29, the Chamber officially passed the declaration. This document holds serious weight. In it, the Chamber explicitly states that the DPCW aligns perfectly with Paraguay’s own constitutional values and international human rights obligations.

Even better, the government has committed to actively promoting the DPCW to other national authorities and multilateral organizations. They are becoming ambassadors for the cause.

The Power of Staying the Course

Sometimes, working for peace can feel like an uphill battle. But Paraguay is showing the entire world exactly how grassroots dedication translates into structural, institutional change.

From a commemorative hall in South Korea to a regional parliament in Panama, and now to the legislative heart of Paraguay, the DPCW is proving to be a viable, universally respected roadmap for a better world. Let’s celebrate this incredible milestone and keep pushing forward!

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Behind the Scenes of HWPL's Seoul Summit: Why This Youth Peace Program is More Than Just Good PR 🇰🇷🕊️

When you hear about an international youth summit bringing together leaders from 43 countries, it’s easy to roll your eyes and expect another weekend of empty buzzwords and surface-level photo ops.

But last month, HWPL hosted its International Youth Peace Program in Seoul under the banner “We, the Living Legacy of Peace.” While the event checked all the standard boxes—touring historic sites, hosting roundtables, and drafting manifestos—what actually went down deserves a closer look.

Here is a breakdown of how the three-day program worked, paired with an honest assessment of why this framework might actually succeed where traditional diplomacy fails.

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📋 The Event Breakdown

The program was structured as a three-stage journey—Discover, Learn, and Act—designed to move participants from historical awareness to local execution.

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│               THE 3-STAGE PEACE FRAMEWORK              │
├───────────────┬────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Day 1:        │ Sites: War Memorial, Insadong,         │
│ DISCOVER      │ Gyeongbokgung Palace                   │
├───────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Day 2:        │ Focus: DPCW Articles 8-10,             │
│ LEARN         │ Inter-religious scripture study        │
├───────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Day 3:        │ Output: YEPW action plan design        │
│ ACT           │ mapped through 2027                    │
└───────────────┴────────────────────────────────────────┘

• Day 1: Discovering History: Youth leaders toured the War Memorial of Korea to confront the raw legacy of the Korean War. They then visited Insadong and Gyeongbokgung Palace to study how King Sejong the Great used cultural and structural choices to drive societal change.

  Youth from around the world view an exhibition at the War Memorial of Korea
  
  

• Day 2: Structural Learning: The focus shifted to conflict prevention based on Articles 8, 9, and 10 of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW). This was paired with cross-scriptural analysis of Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism.

  Participants discuss the role of youth in spreading a culture of peace
  
  

• Day 3: Strategic Action: Participants joined forces in the Youth Engagement & Peacebuilding Working Group (YEPW) to build concrete project roadmaps to deploy in their home countries.

  A participant takes part in a peace activity program
  
  

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🧠 Analysis & Review

1. The Power of Using Seoul as a Living Classroom

Using South Korea as the backdrop for a peace summit isn't just clever marketing; it is emotionally jarring and highly effective.

By forcing youth from conflict zones (like Iraq) to start their journey at the War Memorial, the program strips away academic detachment. Standing in front of the Statue of Brothers, the abstract concept of "peace" suddenly gets a face. Mrs. Laisani Sepo from the National Youth Council of Fiji noted that witnessing the sheer willpower of past generations gave the youth the perspective needed to face criticism back home. It forces a mindset shift: today's youth aren't just heirs to past tragedies; they are the active builders of the present.

2. DPCW & Religious Literacy: Confronting the Real Taboos

Where most youth summits stick to safe, generalized human rights talk, this program deserves major credit for tackling religion and ethnicity head-on.

Conflict is rarely polite, and the organizers didn't treat it that way. By introducing the DPCW framework, they gave participants a tangible, legalistic vocabulary to dissect how religious beliefs are weaponized. Furthermore, forcing leaders to sit down and cross-examine texts from five major world religions at the International Religious Peace Academy is brilliant. It reframes "tolerance" not as ignoring differences, but as developing a high literacy in them.

3. Moving Beyond the "Future Leaders" Trap

The most refreshing takeaway from this summit was its outright rejection of the phrase "youth are the leaders of tomorrow." As Andrew Junior Mwima (CEO of Mental Health and Anti-Drug Abuse Organisation) pointed out, young people are historically the ones weaponized on frontlines—meaning they need to be leading peace initiatives right now.

However, the true test of this summit isn't what happened in Seoul; it’s what happens next. HWPL Secretary-General Kang Tae-ho emphasized that peace is a legacy to be passed down through action. By channeling inspiration into the YEPW working groups, the program ensures that attendees don't just leave with a souvenir. They leave with a heavy sense of accountability and a pipeline of projects mapped out.

The Final Takeaway

If this was just a tour, it would have been a waste of resources. But by structuring the event to culminate in regional projects, HWPL created a scalable, highly practical blueprint. Watching students like Sarah Vermaut from Belgium realize that they don't need to wait for a political title to spark change proves that this program's real value lies in its power to democratize diplomacy.

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The Power of Resilience: Analyzing Earth Run’s Rainy Day Triumph at Daechongho Lake

On August 29, a powerful demonstration of grassroots environmentalism took place in Daejeon. The Central Association of the Korea War Veterans Environmental Volunteer Corps hosted, and Earth Run co-organized alongside HWPL, the ‘Asian Highway Daechongho Lake Environmental Clean-up Plogging’. Held near Seokbong-dong in the Daedeok-gu district, the event drew approximately 50 participants, including Korea War Veterans Association President Jeon Byeong-gwon, local running crew members, and civic-minded Daejeon citizens.

While the event successfully cleared a significant amount of abandoned waste from the critical Daechongho Lake water basin and the neighboring Asian Highway corridors, the true story of the day lay in the community's refusal to let severe weather compromise their mission.

Earth Run's plogging volunteers

🌧️ Editorial Review: Turning Adversity into a Proof of Concept

From an observer's standpoint, the conditions leading up to the event were less than ideal. Heavy torrential downpours threatened to disrupt the schedule, creating a scenario where a cancellation would have been easily excused. However, the subsequent execution of the plogging drive served as a profound testament to the core values driving Earth Run.

Rather than deterring the volunteers, the persistent rain highlighted a deep-seated resilience. Watching citizens and running crews maintain their pacing while actively searching out and retrieving wet, discarded waste under gray skies was a striking visual. It elevated the initiative from a standard weekend volunteer chore into a gritty, admirable display of active civic duty. In an era where "slacktivism" is common, this event showcased the impact of tangible, muddy, boots-on-the-ground dedication.

🗺️ Contextualizing the Mission: The Symbolism of Daejeon’s Crossroads

The strategic choice of the plogging route deserves particular recognition. The Asian Highway is an ambitious initiative led by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), designed to weave 32 Asian countries into a unified transport network. Domestically, the Gyeongbu Expressway acts as this vital artery. Because Daejeon serves as the definitive intersection where the Gyeongbu and Honam transportation axes meet, it functions as a symbolic bridge connecting the entire nation.

By focusing clean-up efforts on this specific geographical hub, the organizers successfully elevated the narrative of the event. It was no longer just about regional aesthetics or localized waste management; it became an act of stewardship for a symbol of international connection and regional coexistence. The editorial value here is clear: Earth Run is successfully teaching communities to view local environmental care through a grander, global lens.

Participants are plogging, even in the rain.

📈 Looking Forward: A Scalable Model for Civic Action

Ultimately, the Daechongho Lake event provided critical validation for small-scale, citizen-led environmental models. The fact that the entire projected turnout materialized and persevered through severe weather confirms a high level of community alignment and organizational trust.

The organizers have noted plans to enhance promotional outreach and deepen ties with cooperative organizations to scale future iterations of this drive. Given how effectively this community navigated the elements, Earth Run has established a sturdy, weatherproof blueprint for future environmental activism. It is an initiative that merits continued support, close observation, and replication across other major regional hubs.

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Canvas Instead of Gunfire”: A Powerful Review of Atlanta’s “City Bleed No More: Revive” Art Exhibition

Atlanta is currently driving a profound shift across local communities through its “Peach State to Peace State” campaign. Spearheaded by the HWPL Georgia Branch, this initiative aims to reimagine Georgia’s identity by passing municipal resolutions in support of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) [1]. Proving that peace is more than just policy, HWPL recently hosted its 2nd annual art exhibition, “City Bleed No More: Revive,” at The Supermarket gallery in Atlanta [1]. The four-day event used creative expression to confront local social challenges and visualize a safer, more unified future [1].

A major highlight was a panel discussion moderated by Emmy Award-winning journalist Rose Scott of WABE 90.1FM [1]. The panel brought together Ryan Adkins (General Director of HWPL Georgia’s Peace Education), multidisciplinary artist Kamille Gilmore, muralist Eric Nine, and 16-year-old student leader Sire Washington to discuss how art can actively rehabilitate a community [1].

Exhibition Review: Moving From Expression to Action

What makes “City Bleed No More: Revive” so extraordinary is that it completely rejects the passive, "look-but-don't-touch" nature of traditional art galleries. Instead, it serves as an open, emotional battleground against community violence, making it one of the most raw and socially vital exhibitions you could experience.

The interactive elements immediately break down the wall between the creator and the viewer. At the opening night, visitors didn’t just look at a pre-painted Atlanta skyline; they were handed spray cans to add their own imagery and messages of hope directly onto the canvas [1]. It transformed the audience from mere observers into active architects of the city’s peace movement.

The true weight of the exhibition, however, anchors itself in the staggering human vulnerability shared by its contributors:

• Preserving the Human Spirit: Ryan Adkins’ commentary on art in the age of AI reminds us why physical exhibitions matter [1]. His perspective that a single canvas carries the hidden labor of brush makers, paint mixers, and curators beautifully mirrors the collective effort required to fix a broken city [1].

• Art as Personal Salvation: Kamille Gilmore’s gripping story of using music and professional roller skating to relearn how to walk after a near-fatal accident was a masterclass in authenticity [1]. It proved that art isn't just decoration—it is a literal lifeline.

• Subversive Activism: Eric Nine’s revelation about a 50-foot mural he painted in 2021—where he secretly hid messages of human rights and resistance inside skin-tone gradients—highlights the brilliant fluidity of local street art [1]. It shows that public art can challenge systemic issues by making people think rather than preaching to them [1].

• A Haunting Reality Check: The emotional climax of the event belonged to youth leader Sire Washington [1]. His harrowing account of his best friend surviving a shooting at a Midtown train station because a bullet lodged in a crossbody bag left the room entirely silent [1]. Washington posed the most devastating, unforgettable critique of the weekend: How can the next generation find the motivation to create art when they don't even feel safe taking public transit? [1]

“City Bleed No More: Revive” is an absolute triumph. It successfully bridges the gap between grassroots creative expression and urgent political mobilization. By the time you leave, you understand exactly what attendee Sabrina Kirkland meant when she noted that art is the ultimate tool to solve intergenerational misunderstanding [1]. HWPL Georgia didn't just put on an art show; they created a blueprint for civic recovery [1]. This exhibition is a mandatory experience for anyone who believes that a community can paint its way out of pain and into solidarity [1].

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Why SSYPADO’s Approach Actually Works

 Let’s be honest: we see a lot of organizations throw around terms like "youth empowerment" as buzzwords. But looking closely at SSYPADO’s recent track record—especially their involvement in the Youth Empowerment Peace Class (YEPC) since 2024—it is clear they are doing something different. They aren't just lecturing; they are creating spaces for actual dialogue.

Youth Consultative Meeting in Gambella Camp

Here is my honest take on why this organization deserves your attention:

• They bridge the refugee gap: Instead of limiting their peacebuilding to safe zones or capital cities, SSYPADO actively goes into volatile border spaces and refugee camps, like the Gambella Camp. By connecting youth inside South Sudan with those displaced in Uganda or Ethiopia, they are healing fractures before these young people even return home.
• Practicality over theory: Their partnership with HWPL and IPYG isn't just for show. They use the YEPC curriculum to give young people tangible conflict-resolution skills. They are turning victims of a brutal conflict into active, trained "peace ambassadors."
• Leadership with a clear vision: Augustino Deng Alier, the chairperson of SSYPADO, has a refreshing philosophy. He openly states that young people shouldn't just be viewed as passive victims of war, but as the main drivers of peace. It's a psychological shift that flips the script on traditional aid.
  

Town Hall Discussion for Youth from Uganda and South Sudan

A Message to Us

To close out their recent validation workshop in Juba, Augustino shared a message aimed at young people everywhere. It serves as a great reminder that no matter where we live, we have a role to play:

"You are the heartbeat of progress, the voice of hope, and the catalysts for positive change. Remember, your voice matters... Together, we can build bridges of understanding, break down barriers of discrimination, and create spaces where every young person can thrive. Let’s stand united... The world needs your voice. The world needs your actions."

SSYPADO is proving that even in the aftermath of deep-rooted conflict, change is possible when you give the next generation the microphone—and the tools—to lead. They are an organization worth watching, supporting, and replicating.

Validation Workshop in Juba

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