IPYG Youth Empowerment Peace Workshops: Call for Peace and Climate Justice

“I think the key to solving climate problems is to universally recognize the peaceful value of consideration and coexistence among citizens around the world.”
- Jackson Mwenya, Vision Africa Regional Network – Zambia, Executive Director -

On 6 November 2021, the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG) hosted a Youth Empowerment Peace Workshops (YEPW) at Mansa Primary School under the theme “Call for Peace and Climate Justice”. The event was hosted by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), the IPYG, and Vision Africa Regional Network- Zambia.

Vision African Regional Network- Zambia, founded in 2007, is conducting various education projects to promote the welfare of young adults with the vision of “Changing Minds, Saving Lives”. In 2021, the head of the organization and members participated in the IPYG Youth Empowerment Peace Class (YEPC) and completed it.

▲ HWPL Peace Education in Session

The climate problems in Zambia has recently become serious. Vision Africa Regional Network- Zambia discussed several times with the IPYG regarding different plans for youth activities to manage climate issues. The two organizations found cultivating peace values of civil society for a sustainable planet to be important. Since climate problems stem from human selfishness, in order to resolve this, not only should a country have an action plan, but the spread of consciousness of citizens of peace where people care and sacrifice for each other is also essential.

Accordingly, with the cooperation of HWPL Department of Peace Education, an event was held where students learned the value of peace such as how to live together on Earth. The atmosphere during the event was earnest and full of passion.

Based on the first lesson of the HWPL Peace Education, Jackson Mwenya, the Executive Director of Vision Africa Regional Network- Zambia, emphasized the value of respect, coexistence, and cooperation to the students. He said, "In the harmony of everything in nature, we mankind must learn the value of 'respect'. This problem that we humans are experiencing now stems from our failure to respect each other and promote coexistence. We will have to get away from individual selfishness and find ways to coexist and cooperate in our lives."

Patrick Chishala, a teacher at Mansa Primary School, participated in the event and shared a determination to help resolve the climate problems as a peace citizen. He shared, “I have gone through the discussion and I like the program. Peace and climate issues are the topics of activities that our students must think and act on. Therefore, we can go on with it. We are looking forward to working together to promote peace and do justice to the climate.”

HWPL and the IPYG plan on carrying out long term projects with Mansa Primary School to educate students on peace and respond to the climate problems.