We are now standing at a critical juncture in the global community. Humanity is faced with two paths: one leading to peace and the other to war. By uniting our hearts today, we can bring an end to war and destruction.
In doing so, the world of peace that we have all longed for will be realized,and it will become a lasting legacy for future generations.
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) PEACE EDUCATION
Kenya Area
Location
East Africa
580,367㎢
(Ranked around 48th in the world)
Languages
English (official),Swahili (national)
Population
Approximately 55 million (as of 2023, World Bank)
Religion
Christianity (approx. 85%),
Capital Nairobi
Islam (approx. 11%), traditional beliefs, etc.
Independence Day
December 12 (Independence from the United Kingdom in 1963)
Ethnic Groups
Kikuyu, Luhya, Luo, Kalenjin,and around 40 other tribes
Kenya, known as the ecological axis of East Africa and the lungs of the continent, is traversed by the Great Rift Valley and embraces a wide range of ecosystems. Kenya’s ecological diversity—spanning savannas, highlands, coasts, lakes, and wetlands—has positioned the country as a model for climate action and a sustainable future. Kenya can be called the “heart of sustainability” from which the world can learn amid the global environmental crisis.
The sacrifices made for independence
Shield and spears: The spirit of protecting nature and tradition
stripes: Peace
The land and nature
“The Ecological Spine of the African Continent”
The Great Rift Valley, which runs through Kenya, is a place where the wonders of nature and the diversity of life coexist.
Located in southwestern Kenya, it is Africa’s largest wildlife reserve.
It is renowned for the Great Migration, during which millions of animals move across the land each year. This place, where tradition and nature coexist, is a peaceful land that symbolizes the dignity of life and the value of coexistence.
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Standing at 5,199 meters above sea level, it is the second-highest mountain in Africa, and a symbol of both the Kenyan people’s identity and the country’s natural heritage. Composed of deep forests, glaciers, and clear lakes, it is a land that holds the spirit of harmony, coexistence, and peace, representing Kenya’s national pride and natural legacy.
Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, is home to the headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), making it the only global city in the Southern Hemisphere to host such a UN body.
Established in 1972 following the designation of World Environment Day, UNEP leads efforts in sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, and climate change response as a core institution of global environmental governance.
The fact that its headquarters is located in Africa—specifically in Nairobi, Kenya—shows that Kenya is more than just a treasure trove of ecology; it stands as a symbol of global environmental leadership.
To this day, the UNEP headquarters in Nairobi continues to serve as a hub for coordinating and implementing global environmental policies, and Nairobi is recognized as a strategic city for shaping the sustainable future of our global community.
it is a prime example of Renaissance military architecture.
Built by the Portuguese between 1593 and 1596 to protect the Indian Ocean trade routes,
The fort later came under the influence of Omani Arabs and the British colonial period, absorbing a mix of cultural influences.
Today, it serves as a museum.
It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011, and stands as a significant heritage site reflecting the history and cultural diversity of the East African coast.
Lamu Old Town is the oldest and bestpreserved Swahili settlement on the East African coast,
and has been continuously inhabited since the 14th century. Its traditional buildings are made of coral stone and mangrove timber,
characterized by narrow alleyways and intricately carved wooden doors. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) PEACE EDUCATION
Election seasons are times of heightened tension in Kenyan society.
With each major election, the country experiences structural patterns of political tension and social conflict across various regions. The nationwide violence that erupted after the 2007 presidential election resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,100 people and displaced more than 650,000 others within the country, and was recorded as a major incident that drew international attention.
This event went beyond a mere electoral dispute and is regarded as a clear example of the broader instability affecting the nation.
Even after 2007, electoral tensions and localized clashes continued during the 2013 and 2017 elections.
In some regions, election outcomes heightened intercommunity tensions.
There were repeated instances in which political dissatisfaction escalated into street protests, property damage, and physical confrontations.
These patterns demonstrate that election seasons are periods that bring uncertainty and heightened alertness to civil society.
Kenya’s major political parties often have support bases rooted in specific regions or ethnic groups,
which tends to frame political competition as confrontation between communities.
Political victory is perceived as more than just the election of a single candidate; in some communities, it is tied to the issues of representation and resource allocation.
This structure undermines the acceptance of election results and causes strong reactions in certain communities.
The post-election social atmosphere often goes beyond shortterm clashes and affects citizens’ daily lives and community relationships.
Depending on the election outcome, expectations and dissatisfaction arise regarding administrative services, distribution of opportunities, and access to public resources, with political shifts directly triggering social tensions in some areas.
Such circumstances show that elections are not seen as merely political events, but as sensitive events directly connected to everyday life.
Kenyan society is currently facing a structure in which various forms of violence against children, women, and family members occur discreetly and persistently in everyday life.
Many incidents go unreported, and within the reality of weak institutional responses, this violence has often been internalized in society under the names of “cultural silence” and “traditional practices.”
This undermines stability and cohesion within communities and makes it difficult to raise awareness or challenge the issue of violence.
This suggests the structural existence of environments where children are exposed to violence from an early age.
According to the 2024 UNICEF-Kenya report, 30% of girls and 38% of boys reported experiencing violence at home from parents, guardians, or adult relatives. This is not merely an issue of corporal punishment; it indicates that the home is not always a space of protection, but sometimes functions as a tool of control and oppression, creating a structural environment in which students become accustomed to resolving conflict through force rather than dialogue.
Violence against women also persists in many local communities under the pretext of social norms or religious and cultural traditions, without being properly addressed or challenged.
Forced marriage, child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), and domestic abuse still exist as customary practices in certain regions, placing women at risk of physical and psychological harm throughout their lives.
According to a 2021 UNFPA report, in some counties, more than half of girls aged 10–19 reported having undergone FGM or entered into early marriage.
The combination of normalized violence and cultural silence creates an environment where silence around violence is accepted as normal in schools, homes, and communities.
As a result, children and adolescents—who should be protected—are exposed to danger, and education becomes not a path to growth and healing, but at times a channel through which students become desensitized to violence. This is not merely a matter of short-term safety, but a serious structural issue affecting intergenerational trust and social stability.
Over several decades, Kenya has implemented a “Free Primary Education” policy and has achieved significant progress in ensuring basic education nationwide. However, real access to education still varies greatly depending on the regi on, with the net secondary school enrollment rate standing at only 53.2%.
In particular, in northeastern regions such as Garissa and Mandera, as well as parts of rural Marsabit, this rate drops below 20%, indicating that regional disparities in educational opportunity remain a deeply rooted structural issue.
The national average student-to-teacher ratio in Kenya stands at 43:1, and in some areas, overcrowded classrooms exceed a ratio of 70:1.
In addition, the national average teacher absenteeism rate reaches 18%, highlighting structural issues that make it difficult to ensure stable school operations.
This goes beyond a simple shortage of teachers, and points to an imbalance in the allocation of educational resources across regions, contributing to the accumulation of long-term learning deficits.
In 2017, Kenya introduced the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), shifting its focus from knowledge-based instruction to value- and practice-oriented education. This is a highly meaningful shift, and serves as an important foundation for developing 21st-century civic competencies.
However, in actual classrooms, core competency areas such as citizenship, nonviolence, community respect, and conflict resolution often remain limited to theoretical approaches, and the transition to real-life application and participatory learning remains a key challenge.
A challenge that extends beyond short-term education policies and is tied to sustainable national development Such imbalances in access to and content of education can lead to broken learning opportunities, disparities in regional social mobility, and the structural marginalization and growing discontent of the younger generation. In countries where education should serve as a foundation for social integration and community building, such inequality tends to go beyond academic gaps, and extends into disparities in life opportunities.
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) PEACE EDUCATION
States should engage in multilateral consultations to deal with situations where differences attributable to religion or ethnicity pose a threat to peace, so that necessary remedial action may be taken and to identify the root causes of a situation causing tension between different religious or ethnic groups, in order to adopt necessary measures to promote mutual understanding between the groups concerned.
States should take measures to ensure that religious belief or ethnic identity are not utilized as a pretext for gross and systematic acts of violence. In circumstances where individuals or groups perpetrate or assist in such acts in the name of their religion, States should take adequate measures that lead to the prosecution and punishment of such activities.
Recognizing the threat to peaceful coexistence that violent religious extremism may cause, States should implement in good faith, legal measures against individuals or groups attempting to perpetrate or assist in gross and systematic acts of violence in the name of religion. Such measures should, in extreme cases, include the proscription of faith groups – including sects or cults – that perpetrate acts of violence against the territorial integrity and political independence of any State.
States should recognize and engage with groups and organizations that seek to further the cause of peace as a global movement. States should facilitate such groups in their awareness-raising activities, including providing tuition in human rights and peace studies, as provided for, inter alia, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1999 UN Declaration on a Culture of Peace.
States should recognize that, in order to preserve a lasting culture of peace, public awareness of the need for, and value of, peace should be created. In this regard, States are encouraged to facilitate activities, commemorations, and initiatives that engage public consciousness with peace, including the erection of peace monuments as an alternative to war monuments.
Heads of State and heads of government should acknowledge that they are uniquely well placed to encourage a culture of peace, and should act to support this declaration to bring about the cessation of war.
States should promote a culture of peace, including ensuring conditions in which-
(a) citizens are able to participate in the political affairs of the State as equals, regardless of religious or ethnic differences;
(b) a free media is maintained, which allows grievances to be aired and addressed;
(c) education is imparted to promote respect and mutual understanding among different religious belief and ethnic groups;
(d) the right to the development of peoples, including the achievement of the UN sustainable development goals can be realized; and
(e) the wellbeing of all human kind, with the participation of women and men, to ensure peaceful coexistence amongst Nations, States, and peoples may be guaranteed.
HWPL peace education in Kenya aims to help educators and citizens internalize peace as a core life value and practice it within their communities through characterbased peace education.
Vision of HWPL Peace Education in Kenya
“Eucation that Transforms the Mind, A Life that Practices Peace”
1. Training HWPL Peace Educators – Through peace educator training, educators grow into peace educators who lead transformation in thinking and attitudes.
2. HWPL Peace Education That Reaches Everyday Life – Peace value lessons that foster emotional regulation, empathy, and responsibility lead to changes in students’ behavior and relationships.
3. Peace in Action with the Community – Through peace projects jointly designed by schools, NGOs, and parents, education becomes an act that transforms local culture.
4. Institutionalization and Sustainability – Through educator certification programs, model schools, and MOUs with education offices, the national institutionalization of peace education is being pursued.
HWPL is expanding peace educator training and educational cooperation in Kenya through MOUs signed with a total of 27 educational institutions and organizations.
This moment captures the official commitment between HWPL and various Kenyan institutions to cooperate in peace education.
People from different regions and sectors came together in one place and pledged to share real responsibility for training peace educators and expanding peace education.
This scene is more than a historical record—it marks the beginning of a shared commitment to teach peace together, and a collective promise for future generations.
HWPL has continued to collaborate with educational institutions in Kenya to train educators and carry out school-based peace education initiatives.
In this process, educators from institutions that signed MOUs, deeply moved by the sincerity and continued commitment to cooperation, respectfully appointed the HWPL representative as the Honorary Principal of the Peace Academy. This appointment is not a mere formality but a gesture of trust to jointly take responsibility for and implement peace education, and a shared promise for future generations.
Appointment of 139 HWPL Peace Educators HWPL appoints local educators who have completed the HWPL Peace Educator Training program as peace educators, and supports them in delivering peace education to students in their respective communities.
UNESCO Teachers Support Network
/ Curriculum Developer
The HWPL Peace Educator Training was a valuable opportunity that made me reflect on the true essence of education. For a long time, I focused on my role as a deliverer of knowledge in the classroom, but through this training, I realized that an educator is not merely a conveyor of information, but a guide who leads children with values that shape their lives. By discussing concepts like gratitude, consideration, and forgiveness with my students during class, I noticed a remarkable change in the classroom atmosphere and in the students’ responses. Now, I approach every class with the mindset of practicing peace myself first.
Secondary School Teacher, Bungoma Region
What impacted me the most through this program was the concept of the “language of educators.”
I truly realized that a single word from a teacher can change a student's entire day, and how essential peaceful language, demeanor, and even eye contact are for an educator.
Now, before starting class, I look into each student’s eyes, call them by name, and greet them.
This small but warm change is transforming the classroom atmosphere, and within that space, students are learning how to respect one another.
Sandra Jackoyo
Elementary School Teacher / Peace
Educator Training Graduate
I had often heard the word “peace,” but I had never thought deeply about what it truly meant in my own life. Through the training, I began to embrace gratitude and forgiveness in my own life, and that change was soon reflected in my classroom.
As a peace educator, I now take the first step toward my students, and spend time listening to their emotions.
The most memorable moment was when a student came to me after class and said, “I want to become a peaceful person like you, teacher.”
Daniel Mwanza
Curriculum Coordinator / Peace
Educator Network Participant
Teaching peace as an educator is not simply about introducing a curriculum. It means sharing hearts with students and giving meaning to the small actions of daily life.
Through this training, I realized that values like order, respect, and gratitude are not just textbook concepts.
In particular, learning that “peace grows through relationships” inspired me to start a small peace practice challenge with fellow educators at our school.
This reminded me that education is never a task for one teacher alone, but something that flourishes through collective effort.
Ivy Chege
Secondary School Teacher, Nairobi Region
The HWPL Peace Educator Training did not just make me a better teacher — it transformed me into a better person.
Each time I see students understanding and caring for one another, I realize how deeply this training brings about real change.
Now, I encourage my students to share something they are grateful for every morning, and I lead conversations to resolve conflicts together in the moment when they arise.
I’ve come to learn—and teach—that peace is not far away; it lives in every moment of the classroom.
HWPL conducted a total of nine HWPL Peace Educator Training sessions across Kenya in collaboration with local educators.
This program is a practice-oriented training that helps educators internalize the value of peace and share it with their students and school communities.
The photos on this page capture the growth and dedication of the educators who participated in the journey of HWPL Peace Educator Training.
On November 30, 2021, a certified graduate of HWPL’s Peace Educator Training conducted a demonstration class at Machakos Boys High School in Kenya. The class was based on Lesson 3 of the peace education curriculum, titled “Greed,” and was attended by 60 students aged 17 to 19. The session was conducted in an interactive format that included video materials, case-based presentations, and student discussions. Through the theme of “Greed,” students reflected on their attitudes toward life and gained awareness of the internal elements that hinder peace.
Michael (18 years old)
At first, I thought it was just another class, but when we started talking about greed, I began to reflect on myself.”
I realized that the mindset of having more than others and focusing only on my own success had been dominating me until now.
Now, I understand that a truly good life is one where I share what I have and put others before myself. After this class, it became easier for me to yield to my friends.
Witold (17 years old)
To be honest, I didn’t realize that the word ‘greed’ carried such a deep meaning.
I used to think that eating more, knowing more, and being the best were all good things.
But today I learned, for the first time, that it can make others uncomfortable and make me feel more anxious, too. From now on, I will always take a moment to consider whether my actions stem from greed.
On March 10, 2020, at the Bungule Kasigau Hills in the Taita-Taveta region, a field-based peace education session on the theme of peace and the environment was conducted under the initiative of CIT (Coastal Institute of Technology).
A total of 55 participants—including educators, students, and local residents—joined the class.
Through team hikes and nature exploration, participants experienced the meaning of peace in nature and practiced cooperation in action.
Jackline (CIT Student)
While climbing the mountain, my friends helped me whenever I was struggling.
Some pushed from behind, others went ahead to guide the way.
That atmosphere of caring for one another—that’s when I felt what peace really is.
It wasn’t just learning peace in words— it was experiencing it with our bodies. This class showed me that peace can be lived out even beyond the classroom.
I realized that even one small act of caring for the environment is a form of practicing peace.
Climbing the mountain, seeing the trees, and walking with my friends made my heart feel calm, and I wanted to be kind to others.
I used to think picking up trash didn’t mean much, but now I understand it could be the beginning of peace in our society.
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL)
PEACE EDUCATION
In 2023, HWPL officially established a local branch in Nairobi City County, Kenya, and launched full-scale regional activities.
Although HWPL's peace initiatives were already being carried out in various countries, the establishment of the Kenya branch marked a crucial starting point for building a sustainable foundation for peace on the African continent.
The Kenya branch is a government-registered legal entity operated under its own Articles of Association, with a systematic framework for branch management, membership, and organizational structure.
Aiming to promote and institutionalize a culture of peace in Kenya, HWPL Kenya carries out various initiatives, including peace education in collaboration with local educational institutions, joint projects with NGOs and youth organizations, seminars on international law and human rights, and peace-related volunteer activities.
Following the establishment of the branch, discussions on implementing peace education began in partnership with the Ministry of Education, and concrete activities for realizing the value of peace at the local level were initiated with stakeholders from the legal, religious, media, and youth sectors.
Notably, during international peace commemorations held on March 14, May 25, and September 18 (HWPL's 7th Annual Commemoration of the DPCW, May 25 Declaration of World Peace Day, 9th Anniversary of the
September 18th HWPL World Peace Summit), local peace campaigns, water service projects, and citizen-led programs were successfully conducted with enthusiastic community participation.
HWPL Kenya will continue to collaborate with diverse societal actors to ensure that peace takes root in everyday life.
This process, in which citizens take ownership of peace and address local challenges themselves, will become the foundation for future generations in Kenya to grow up in a safer and more just society.
Peace is no longer a distant ideal—it is becoming a shared reality built together, right by our side.
HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light) annually hosts three significant international peace events as part of its global movement to institutionalize peace in cooperation with citizens around the world.
These events are held respectively on March 14 (HWPL's Annual Commemoration of the DPCW), May 25 (May 25 Declaration of World Peace Day), and September 18 (Anniversary of the September 18th HWPL World Peace Summit), and serve as symbolic milestones that create a platform for the international community to resonate with and take action on peace, based on HWPL’s founding philosophy and vision.
These three days function as key platforms that bring together government officials, legal professionals, educators, religious leaders, youth, and civil society from around the world to foster global consensus and strengthen cooperation for sustainable peace.
Each year, HWPL’s international peace initiatives are further advanced through a variety of conferences, forums, campaigns, and declarations. The following section provides a detailed overview of the background, significance, and key activities of these three major international events organized by HWPL.
HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light) is an international peace NGO registered under the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and UNESCO. It works in cooperation with global citizens, governments, religious communities, and the education sector to end war and spread a culture of peace.
On March 14, 2016, HWPL, in collaboration with international legal experts, proclaimed the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), which consists of 10 articles and 38 clauses that outline principles for preventing war, resolving conflict, and establishing a culture of peace.
As an international legal framework for peace, the DPCW aims to reflect the values of peace in national laws and policies around the world by promoting principles such as the prohibition of the use of force, the right to selfdetermination, interfaith harmony, peace education, and expanded civic participation.
The LP Campaign, launched in connection with the DPCW, is a citizen-led global initiative to promote peace based on the principles of Article 10 and Clause 38 of the declaration.
The "314" symbolizes the DPCW’s proclamation date (March 14), the unity of global citizens (1), and the aspiration to have the declaration adopted as a UN resolution (4).
The LP Campaign goes beyond public awareness—it is a grassroots peace movement in which people across the globe engage directly through activities such as handwritten peace letters, petitions, youth- and women-led workshops, and peace walks.
Through these actions, citizens play a key role in raising awareness of peace and expanding the foundation of support for peace legislation.
In Kenya, educational institutions, youth organizations, and religious leaders have joined the campaign, working to embed the values of the DPCW into the nation’s legal system, education sector, and civil society through continued support and cooperation.
This effort goes beyond short-term action; it is part of a long-term process to build a stronger legal foundation for the institutional realization of peace and justice through international cooperation.
As one of HWPL’s core initiatives, the LP Campaign represents a leading example of international collaboration among citizens, governments, and global institutions to institutionalize peace and shape a sustainable future.
On March 18, 2023, the 7th Anniversary Commemoration of the DPCW was held at the Royal Insurance Building in Nairobi, Kenya, with a total of 173 participants in attendance.
The event brought together experts and stakeholders in the fields of international law, religion, peace education, youth, and women, including 36 external guests—13 of whom were key figures—and 137 HWPL members.
Key participants included four lawyers from the High Court of Kenya, representatives from social justice organizations, religious institutions, the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Education, and youth and women activists, all of whom expressed their support for the core values of the DPCW and shared their perspectives.
Participants emphasized the importance of HWPL’s legal-based peace initiatives and their applicability in local contexts, expressing their willingness to collaborate in future efforts.
As a result of the event, 25 handwritten peace letters and 36 letters of support for the DPCW were collected, and 92 new HWPL memberships were registered both on-site and online.
The event was featured by local media outlets such as Opera News and KU TV, and was recognized as a representative example of the continued spread of HWPL’s Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War among diverse sectors and citizens within Kenyan society.
On Sunday, March 31, 2024, HWPL Global 12 Branch organized a volunteer activity in Karen, Kenya, to commemorate the 8th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW).
This activity took the form of a street cleanup campaign aimed at promoting environmental preservation and raising awareness of peace within the local community. It provided an opportunity for citizens to reflect on the meaning of peace and to share the importance of everyday actions.
Externally, the event focused on helping citizens recognize the connection between nature and peace through environmental cleanup, emphasizing the vital role individuals play in achieving sustainable peace.
Internally, the campaign served as a platform to introduce HWPL’s initiatives to the public, while simultaneously carrying out outreach to recruit new members, gather support for the DPCW, and raise membership contributions.
This volunteer effort went beyond a typical cleanup, functioning as a participatory peace campaign that shared the significance of HWPL's 8th Annual Commemoration of the DPCW with the local community. It stands as a meaningful example of HWPL’s commitment to fostering a citizen-led culture of peace.
On March 30, 2025, HWPL's 8th Annual Commemoration of the DPCW was held at the Kenya Meteorological Department Auditorium in Nairobi, Kenya, with a total of 400 participants in attendance.
The event brought together citizens and stakeholders from diverse sectors, including 50 external figures representing international law, religion, peace education, and youth.
During the event, peace education MOUs were signed with six educational institutions, and four key figures from the Ministry of Education, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, the legal sector, and academia were appointed as advisory members of the HWPL Consultative Council for the Realization of a Culture of Peace.
A handwritten peace letter was delivered to a Nairobi City County Assembly member, and 39 new HWPL memberships were registered at the event. Attendees expressed strong support for HWPL’s peace vision and direction for implementation.
In particular, the representative of DQK praised the event’s organization and the clarity of its message as “thoughtful and excellent,” and inquired about specific directions for cooperation following the signing of the MOU.
An educator from Kenya High School expressed strong willingness to actively support the implementation of the peace education MOU, while youth activist and Peace Ambassador Annette Mwaura conveyed her intention to collaborate with HWPL in youth-led peace projects.
Some education officials also shared that the time allotted for the event felt insufficient and expressed interest in future collaboration.
This event served as a meaningful opportunity to further expand the foundation of peace education and civic participation in Kenya.
On May 25, 2013, HWPL proclaimed the “Declaration of World Peace” at the Peace Gate of Seoul Olympic Park, together with global youth, citizens, and leaders from various sectors.
This historic day marked the beginning of a citizen-led peace movement for the cessation of war and the realization of lasting peace. Since then, May 25 has become one of HWPL’s core international commemorative days.
The declaration emphasizes that peace cannot be achieved solely by any one government or leader, but through the collective effort of all citizens. It proclaims a shared vision for humanity to unite and build a world without war.
Placing youth at its center, the declaration calls for the institutionalization of peace through the enactment of international law, interfaith harmony, expanded peace education, and civic action.
May 25 Declaration of World Peace Day is not merely a reenactment of the declaration, but a symbolic platform showing that citizens around the world are actively continuing peace efforts with HWPL.
On and around this day, various countries host peace education seminars, youth forums, and declaration support events, expanding public consensus on peace and strengthening the foundation for action.
This annual commemoration is a key occasion that illustrates how HWPL’s vision of institutionalizing peace is being linked with global civil society.
On March 30, 2025, HWPL's 8th Annual Commemoration of the DPCW was held at the Kenya Meteorological Department Auditorium in Nairobi, Kenya, with a total of 400 participants in attendance. The event brought together citizens and stakeholders from diverse sectors, including 50 external figures representing international law, religion, peace education, and youth.
During the event, peace education MOUs were signed with six educational institutions, and four key figures from the Ministry of Education, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, the legal sector, and academia were appointed as advisory members of the HWPL Consultative Council for the Realization of a Culture of Peace.
A handwritten peace letter was delivered to a Nairobi City County Assembly member, and 39 new HWPL memberships were registered at the event. Attendees expressed strong support for HWPL’s peace vision and direction for implementation.
In particular, the representative of DQK praised the event’s organization and the clarity of its message as “thoughtful and excellent,” and inquired about specific directions for cooperation following the signing of the MOU.
An educator from Kenya High School expressed strong willingness to actively support the implementation of the peace education MOU, while youth activist and Peace Ambassador Annette Mwaura conveyed her intention to collaborate with HWPL in youth-led peace projects. Some education officials also shared that the time allotted for the event felt insufficient and expressed interest in future collaboration. This event served as a meaningful opportunity to further expand the foundation of peace education and civic participation in Kenya.
On May 28, 2023, HWPL's 10th Annual Commemoration of the DPCW and Peace Walk was held at Don Bosco Boys' Training Institute in Nairobi, Kenya, under the theme “A New Decade: Institutionalizing Peace.” A total of 464 participants attended the event, including 92 external guests from the fields of youth, education, religion, and international relations, alongside 372 HWPL members.
The program featured an opening address, introduction of dignitaries, congratulatory speeches, a partnership signing ceremony with the Kenya Model United Nations (KMUN), a commemorative video screening, keynote messages, cultural performances, and announcements for future activities. The event concluded with an outdoor peace walk to promote the message of peace in action. Key representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission, St. Paul’s University, Hekima Institute of Peace Studies, and the UN Youth Association expressed their support and interest in HWPL’s peace initiatives.
During the event, a total of 418 new HWPL memberships and letters of support for the DPCW were collected, and the partnership between HWPL and KMUN was officially established. The event received media coverage through Kenya’s major broadcasters KTN and K24. Following this, IPYG and KMUN plan to jointly carry out youth-led peace initiatives such as human rights seminars and civic education on sovereignty.
The event saw active public participation thanks to effective promotion led by youth organization leaders. A cultural performance by IPYG Kenya left a lasting impression on attendees and positively contributed to membership sign-ups.
On May 18, 2024, for HWPL's 11th Annual Commemoration of the DPCW, HWPL Global 12 Branch organized a peace tree planting volunteer activity under the theme “Seeds of Peace, Power of the Environment” at Jamuhuri Park in Karen, Nairobi. Approximately 50 participants—including peace educators, lawyers, and volunteers—gathered to promote and practice the values of peace and environmental conservation.
The event provided a meaningful opportunity for citizens to engage in both tree planting and park cleanup, reinforcing the understanding that sustainable peace begins with daily action. The Jamuhuri Park management expressed appreciation for HWPL’s initiative and offered additional space for further tree planting in future activities. Kenya’s Ministry of Education also recognized HWPL’s efforts and expressed a willingness to promote tree planting activities at the school level through collaborative programs. This event served as a model case of HWPL’s grassroots peacebuilding efforts, demonstrating the potential for sustained expansion through cooperation between civil society and public institutions.
September 18 marks the Anniversary of the September 18th HWPL World Peace Summit. The HWPL World summit took place on September 18, 2014, in Seoul, Republic of Korea, with the participation of approximately 2,000 global leaders— including former and current heads of state, international law experts, religious leaders, and youth and women representatives from over 170 countries. The summit served as the starting point of global solidarity for the cessation of war and realization of peace, and became the historical momentum that led to HWPL’s core peace initiative: the proclamation of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW).
The Anniversary of the September 18th HWPL World Peace Summit functions as a global platform for governments, educational institutions, and civil society to share practical measures and strengthen cooperation for the institutionalization of peace. Beyond symbolic declarations, the event promotes the expansion of peace into concrete policies and social movements. Each year, a variety of forums and seminars are held on key topics such as international law, interfaith harmony, peace education, and youth and women leadership, all contributing to the growing international consensus for the DPCW to be adopted as a UN resolution.
This day has also become a key milestone for tangible outcomes—such as MOUs with government bodies and institutions, the launch of peace education initiatives, and youth-led campaign presentations. It serves as a symbolic gathering where HWPL’s global partners reconvene to reflect on the year’s achievements and shape future directions for peacebuilding worldwide.
On September 25, 2022, the 8th Annual Commemoration of the HWPL World Peace Summit was held at the Nairobi National Museum Auditorium in Kenya, with a total of 292 attendees, including 97 distinguished external guests. This was the first in-person HWPL event in Kenya following the COVID-19 pandemic, drawing significant interest and support from figures in the fields of international law, religion, and education for HWPL’s efforts to institutionalize peace.
Notably, Jackson Longwe, a lawyer at the High Court of Kenya, emphasized that peace is a prerequisite for national development and called for the integration of international peace law into university curricula to strengthen legal foundations and promote peace education. Reverend Charles Omolo Owidhi shared that HWPL has resolved conflicts through interfaith understanding and that he himself has learned the importance of rational dialogue and religious diversity through his involvement in the WARP Office. Bartholomew Lumbasi, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Education, stated that HWPL’s peace vision is a core foundation for sustainable development and affirmed the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate on regional peace initiatives and teacher training programs.
The event led to the signing of two MOUs, the collection of seven letters of support for the DPCW, and 80 new memberships across HWPL, the IWPG, and the IPYG. Networking among professionals from various sectors was strengthened on-site. Hosting the event at a central national institution increased accessibility and visibility, earning positive feedback. Participants expressed high satisfaction with the return of in-person gatherings, Participants expressed high satisfaction with the return of in-person gatherings.
On September 29, 2024, the 10th Annual Commemoration of the HWPL World Peace Summit was held at the New Lecture Hall, Science Campus of the University of Nairobi. A total of 491 participants attended the event, including 66 distinguished guests and 425 community members, joining together to commemorate the institutionalization of peace and explore practical measures for its realization.
Sixteen key figures took part in the event, and three schools officially appointed HWPL’s Chairman Man Hee Lee as Honorary Principal.
Two MOUs on peace education were signed with Amani Clubs, and partnership agreements were established with 12 youth and civic organizations (under the IPYG MOU framework), significantly expanding the operational foundation for regional peacebuilding in Kenya. After the
main program, five trees were planted on the university campus alongside VIP guests, symbolizing the integration of peace into the daily lives of local communities.
Support from leaders across various sectors—law, education, youth, and media—was also evident. Three lawyers, including Margaret Oweid, Jackline Tala, and Makau Peter Kituka, expressed their clear support for the DPCW. A representative from NTV Kenya stated they were deeply impressed by the event and conveyed their intent to officially invite HWPL to future peace forums in the country.
The event served as a milestone in reinforcing HWPL and IPYG’s cooperative network with educational institutions and youth organizations in Kenya, further solidifying the grassroots infrastructure for peace initiatives throughout the region.
The Legislate Peace (LP) Campaign is a global initiative led by HWPL to institutionalize peace worldwide. It is a citizen-led international movement that aims to promote the adoption of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) as a UN resolution and the enactment of international law.
Proclaimed on March 14, 2016, the DPCW consists of 10 articles and 38 clauses addressing war prevention, prohibition of the use of force, interfaith harmony, and the protection of citizens' right to participate in peace. The declaration seeks to establish a legal standard for universal peace values within the international community.
The LP Campaign is a worldwide advocacy effort to institutionalize the DPCW as binding international law, driven by the voluntary participation of global citizens.
Citizens around the world have promoted awareness and support for the DPCW through signature campaigns, handwritten peace letters, peace walks, cultural events, and youth- and women-led local initiatives. These efforts have also included collaboration with governments, legislatures,
educational institutions, the media, and civil society to highlight the necessity of the DPCW to the international community.
At the heart of the LP Campaign lies the belief that citizens can be the drivers of legal change. It demonstrates that peace can be institutionalized not through diplomacy or military strategy, but through the collective will and action of the people.
To date, millions of people have participated in the campaign, and lawmakers, legal professionals, educators, and journalists from various countries have joined in calling for the international legalization of peace. The LP Campaign goes beyond symbolic events or one-time declarations.
It is a practical movement aimed at establishing the institutional foundation for sustainable peace.
Through the LP Campaign, HWPL continues to build alliances and foster cooperation with a wide range of stakeholders under the goal of realizing peace based on international law, cultivating a global culture where all citizens take ownership of peace.
Since 2021, HWPL’s Department of Legal Affairs has hosted a number of international law-based human rights seminars in collaboration with Kenya’s legal community and civil society organizations, discussing the practical applicability of the DPCW.
At the January 2021 seminar, Professor Harrison Mbori emphasized the need for public forums to resolve conflicts within civil society and highlighted the importance of civic education based on the DPCW.
Viola Yego (Nakuru County) noted that “the DPCW contains highly innovative values and is effective even in child protection policies,” while Lukiya Ahmed (YBN) expressed her intention for the organization to take part in efforts to legislate peace.
At the 2022 webinar, Edwin Onimi (Director of a women's organization) stated that “due to COVID-19, the rights of youth and women have become particularly vulnerable, and educational cooperation with HWPL is necessary.”
Makau Peter Kituka, a Supreme Court advocate, expressed his appreciation, saying, “HWPL is playing a key role in raising international awareness about dialogue for conflict resolution.”
At the August 2022 seminar, Senator Moses Sanningo stated that “the media and civil society play a key role in ensuring peaceful and democratic elections.”
Journalist Charles Oduol remarked that “such webinars provide a valuable space for dialogue on practical peace” and pledged to share HWPL’s activities on social media. The “Climate Change and Peace” seminar held in June 2023 focused on Articles 2 and 10 of the DPCW, highlighting the link between the climate crisis and conflict.
John Green Scott, Secretary-Genera of
Kenya Model UN; Kevin Amunje, journalist at Royal Media; and Beryl Mboya from the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission all stressed that addressing climate issues also requires the active role of both citizens and legal frameworks, and emphasized the need for partnership with HWPL. Figures from various sectors in Kenya continue to resonate with the values of the DPCW and express strong interest and commitment to expanding international law-based human rights and peace education and civil society collaboration.
In February 2025, IPYG held regular meetings with representatives of Kenyan youth organizations and conducted the Youth Empowerment Peace Workshop (YEWP) program over three sessions.
YEWP is a program based on HWPL’s LP (Legislate Peace) campaign that empowers youth to take the lead in local peace projects grounded in international peace law (DPCW).
In the first meeting held on February 1, participants shared plans for the annual peace project and discussed nonviolent protest culture activities, partnership formation, and strategies for advancing youth rights. The youth leaders offered practical suggestions such as the protection of youth rights, increased participation of youth from conflict zones, and addressing regional accessibility issues, and responded positively to concrete cooperation with IPYG.
A total of five youth organizations attended the meeting and agreed to hold follow-up sessions for nonviolent protest culture education and to carry out peace mission activities.
In the second meeting on February 28, participants reviewed the content from the first and second Peace Leadership Academy sessions, which
focused on youth sovereignty, and expressed positive feedback on the Peace Letter activity and peaceful expressions of rights.
It was particularly noted that “protecting youth rights is directly linked to employment and self-reliance, and the content provided by the IPYG is practically applicable to local youth education.”
The youth leaders also recognized the feasibility of implementing peace education in Kenya and acknowledged the need for continued training.
The third meeting focused on concrete proposals for establishing Peace Zones, a practical initiative of YEWP.
Participants viewed Peace Zones as potential spaces for conflict resolution and community-based peacebuilding, proposing various models such as sites in the outskirts of Nairobi, riverside areas, and coastal regions.
For example, one proposal suggested establishing a "safe space" along the Nairobi River for victims of gender-based violence (GBV), incorporating tree planting as a symbol of healing.
Another group proposed a Peace Eco-Zone linked to mangrove forest preservation efforts in coastal areas.
Youth leaders emphasized the need for prior consultation with local elders, community-led design, and integration with cultural and sports activities to enhance the effectiveness of the Peace Zones.
Following the meeting, the youth leaders requested to go beyond idea sharing and participate as co-execution partners with the IPYG, also urging swift communication of follow-up plans and official materials related to YEWP.
IPYG plans to clarify the need for institutionalizing a culture of nonviolent protest and explain the structural link to the LP campaign through upcoming sessions 3 and 4.
On January 26, 2020, HWPL and the IPYG established a structured plan to carry out volunteer activities in Kenya.
The core of the plan was not simply to conduct one-time events, but to continue peace-themed volunteer work in cooperation with the local community.
The plan included regular environmental clean-up efforts, street campaigns, and distribution of educational kits in collaboration with schools, NGOs, and youth organizations.
Each activity was designed to reflect the values of the “Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)” proposed by HWPL.
This volunteer plan later became the foundation for various peacerelated events and practices carried out in Kenya. It also held significant meaning by offering young people opportunities to take the lead in transforming their communities.
On December 11, 2023, in celebration of International Volunteer Day, HWPL and IPYGjointly organized a community-based environmental volunteer activityin Nairobi, Kenya. Under the theme “Let’s Change the World with Our Own Hands and Build Peace”approximately 500 youth and citizensfrom diverse backgrounds actively participated in the event. This initiative was designed not only as an environmental clean-up campaign, but also as a meaningful step toward establishing a culture of peace within the local community. Participants worked together to clean key public areas in the city, promoting community awareness through voluntary civic action, recognizing the importance of environmental preservation as a foundation for sustainable peace, and offering young people an opportunity to experience social contribution firsthand.
A promotional booth for HWPLwas also set up at the venue, introducing the organization’s vision and peace-related activities. It served as a platform for engagement with citizens who share a common interest in peace-building. During the event, 100 new members registered with HWPL, and the organization received positive feedbackfrom local residents. Participants shared their reflections, saying that "even small actions can create a positive impact in the community,"and expressed their willingness to continue volunteering with HWPLin future peace-related initiatives that connect directly with local communities.
of the DPCW, May 25 Declaration of
HWPL holds annual commemorative events in Kenya aligned with key peace milestones: March 14 (HWPL's 7th Annual Commemoration of the DPCW), May 25 (Declaration of World Peace Day), and September 18 (10th Anniversary of the September 18th HWPL World Peace Summit) — each accompanied by meaningful volunteer activities.
HWPL's 7th Annual Commemoration of the DPCW:
During the event, youth participants personally delivered handwritten peace letters to a Nairobi County Assembly Member, sharing heartfelt messages and advocating for peace.
25, 2024
Declaration of World Peace Day: A tree-planting volunteer activity took place in Jamuhuri Park, where five “Peace Trees” were planted to establish the HWPL Peace Garden. Peace educators and volunteers joined this initiative, which created a symbolic and experiential space for citizens to remember and reflect on peace.
September 29, 2024
10th Anniversary of the September 18th HWPL World Peace Summit:Following the commemorative ceremony at the University of Nairobi, VIP guests joined in planting a peace memorial tree on campus grounds. University officials expressed their intent to use the site as an educational space for peace learning.
We envision the further expansion and institutionalization of HWPL Peace Education across Kenya. Based on the existing achievements in peace educator training, youth education, and youth leadership development, we propose the following directions for long-term and sustainable implementation:
The Ministry of Education in Kenya can launch a nationwide campaign to raise awareness among teachers, parents, and students about the values of peace and non-violence. This campaign would include themes such as violence prevention, conflict mediation, and community respect, contributing to the creation of peaceful school environments.
The effectiveness of peace education depends largely on teachers’ understanding and practical capacity. HWPL’s Peace Educator Training Program offers a verified curriculum and materials that systematically teach peace values and practices to educators.
We propose integrating HWPL’s Peace Education course into the national teacher training programs. In addition, we recommend providing ready-to-use materials such as activity sheets and lesson plans to support classroom implementation.
3. Integration of Peace Education into the National Curriculum
HWPL’s Peace Education has demonstrated effectiveness in areas such as violence prevention, civic education, emotional regulation, and respect for human rights, with thousands of students already participating.
We propose including HWPL Peace Education as an official module in Kenya’s national curriculum, enabling equal access to peace education for all students across the country.
In particular, incorporating peace education at the primary and secondary levels will help instill peace values from an early age.
4. Promotion of International Exchange and Joint Projects
HWPL operates Peace Education in over 90 countries and facilitates active international exchange.
If the Ministry of Education and schools in Kenya engage in such exchanges, students will gain a deeper understanding of peace from a global citizenship perspective.
We propose jointly organizing online forums, peace camps, and youth leadership workshops to encourage international cooperation in peace education.
Peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but a foundational value for building a sustainable society.
Kenya is already a nation where peace activities thrive across youth, women, and education sectors.
Now is the time to institutionalize these efforts and expand them through structured, government-led initiatives.
HWPL stands ready to work hand-in-hand with the Ministry of Education of Kenya to create a path where every student can grow with seeds of peace in their hearts.
“The duty we are entrusted with, the duty we must carry out in this era, is peace, and we must ensure that no more young people lose their lives.”
– Chairman Man Hee Lee, HWPL
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) PEACE EDUCATION