In today’s global climate, ensuring peace and harmony among nations is crucial, particularly as the world teeters on the brink of war.
The International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), affiliated with Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), aims to heighten awareness about the role of global citizens in achieving peace. It urges youth worldwide to unite with IPYG in the endeavour to end war and establish peace.
Most recently, a Korean-based environmental group collaborated with the Sarawak Eco Warriors (SEW) and Plants for Plastic to organise a transformative workshop held at Samajaya Nature Reserve. Dubbed the “Nature and Peace Youth Workshop”, the event hosted 30 individuals aged 18 to 35 who share a passion for nature conservation and peace.
Focused on three thematic areas — youth empowerment, waste management, and biodiversity conservation — the workshop was organised to provide an opportunity for youth to experience and understand the relationship between nature and peace, and how to live together in harmony.
Sharing further, Kelly Ming, a representative from IPYG, said that the workshop included basic theories and an introduction to nature conservation and the peace movement.
“The participants were also provided with a foundation in international laws such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW).”
Participants also explored the vital role of ecosystem services in sustaining life and the planet’s ecosystems, alongside tools for global citizenship to contribute positively to the world.
“One of the topics in peace education is nature. From this, we can learn about peace through natural examples, such as how ants work cooperatively or how tree roots are crucial for maintaining their ecosystem.
“By understanding how nature maintains peace, we can learn to emulate living peacefully ourselves. In my opinion, humans need to understand peace; only then can we properly take care of each other,” she added.
During the workshop, the organisers also addressed the topics of peace and war. By discussing international law, they hope to reduce and prevent wars by helping participants understand global issues beyond Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Mark Liao, the President of Sarawak Eco Warriors, praised the programme’s success in connecting social issues with nature conservation.
“The Nature and Peace Youth Workshop is more than just an educational programme; it’s a call to action for young leaders to stand at the forefront of environmental and peace advocacy.
“The first-time running of the programme worked exceptionally well, and we are pleased as it highlights the interconnectedness of social issues and nature conservation,” he said in a statement.
A crucial part of the workshop focused on understanding how the KMGBF impacts local conservation efforts through National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs). This highlighted the connection between global policies and grassroots actions.
Additionally, the session on the DPCW underscored peace as a cornerstone for environmental sustainability, showcasing the interplay between peace-building and nature preservation.
Moreover, the workshop provided practical communication skills training, empowering participants to effectively use various platforms to advocate for nature conservation and peace.
