The fourth session of the Global Peace Women 2022 Webinar series addressed ideology and peacebuilding. Ideologies influence interpersonal relationships, define personal values, and provide a platform for a shared understanding of the community and world. Yet, just as they foster social cohesion, ideologies also feed conflict. Participants explored the nuances of such conflicts and discussed the role of women in overcoming divisions. Projects addressing the current division on the Korean peninsula, Peace Creator by Wonmoon Cho and Imagine Your Korean Dream, by Risa Perea, as well as an upcoming GPW international campaign for Korean reunification were showcased as creative ways to foster peace based on shared values and vision for peace.
From the Boko Haram insurgencies in Nigeria, the division of the Korean peninsula, violence fueled by religious, tribal and ethnic differences, government corruption, challenges of intermarriage and protecting the rights of women and girls, participants took a closer look at conflicts across the globe and concluded that there are similarities in conflicts. These similarities helped participants identify effective peacebuilding practices. “The problems are the same happening in my country and many countries. I appreciate the efforts that Global Peace Women’s vision might make in place to solve all these problems,” said Ellin, a recent GPWLA graduate from Indonesia.
In particular, the webinar keyed in on the role of women, the importance of promoting peace that honors the human rights of all, and equipping future generations with peacebuilding competencies like understanding our global interconnectedness, communication across differences, and problem-solving. Among practical approaches, the webinar looked at non-violent communication strategies, family volunteering, healing circles, and concluded that peace begins in the heart of each person and in each family. “If we teach the world that peace begins in the home, we will create a lot of change minds, we will create a lot of ambassadors. And I've really seen that one person can change the whole world,” reflected Naswirah, a current GPWLA fellow.
The 2022 webinar series is an enrichment program for the Global Peace Women Leadership Academy, a hands-on leadership program that empowers women leaders to turn their peacebuilding ideas into reality. Contact us for more information on the program: info@globalpeacewomen.org.