Seoul/Dhaka, August 9 (V7N) — The International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) has successfully conducted a regional Women’s Peace Education Completion Ceremony online, with 61 women from Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan graduating from the program on July 26. The event, led by IWPG Global Region 3 Director Heo Eun-Ju, marked a significant step toward promoting female leadership in global peacebuilding efforts.
 
The ceremony highlighted the mission of IWPG to empower women as active peace agents and future peace educators. Heo Eun-Ju congratulated the graduates for their perseverance, expressing hope that they would inspire others in their communities to join the movement for lasting peace.
 
New Chairwoman Jeon Na Yeong delivers her inaugural speech, ushering in a new chapter in IWPG’s leadership. Photo: IWPG
 
Speakers at the event included Batool Kazmi, recognized last year as the Outstanding Peace Lecturer, who encouraged participants to become advocates of fairness, dialogue, and cross-cultural solidarity. Graduate Amber Shahzadi from Pakistan shared a touching story about designing a "Family Peace Tree" with her child, reminding attendees that peace begins at home through respectful and mindful interaction.
 
Outstanding participants received certificates of recognition for their commitment and creativity throughout the course. The IWPG Pune Peace Committee in India received a special award for their outreach efforts, which led to the engagement of approximately 70 new peace learners and over 1,500 students in the International Loving Peace Art Competition.
 
The event concluded with a pledge by Ajuli Tulsyan, editor of Edge & Essence, who vowed to continue advocating for peace and serve as a new peace lecturer in her region.
 
Meanwhile, IWPG has appointed Jeon Na Yeong as its new chairwoman following the retirement of former chairwoman Yoon Hyun Sook, who served since 2017. The handover took place on August 1 at Seoul Space Share Jungbu Center in South Korea.
 
In her inaugural remarks, Jeon Na Yeong expressed her commitment to expanding IWPG’s global impact and promoting a vision of peace across borders. A long-time member of IWPG since 2015, she previously held key leadership roles, including Director of Strategic Planning and Secretary General. She has also represented IWPG at multiple United Nations platforms since 2018, including the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).
 
Outgoing Chairwoman Yoon Hyun Sook delivers her farewell speech, marking the beginning of a new chapter in IWPG’s leadership. Photo: IWPG
 
Former chairwoman Yoon Hyun Sook praised Jeon for her dedication, noting her leadership throughout critical moments of IWPG’s growth. During her tenure, Yoon worked toward peaceful civilian engagement between North and South Korea and promoted the international adoption of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW).
 
IWPG is a global women’s NGO with UN ECOSOC and UN DGC registration, operating 114 branches in 123 countries and partnering with over 800 organizations worldwide. Its core initiatives include women’s peace education, cultural peace promotion, and advocacy for international legal instruments to end war and violence.
 
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