Namibian Youth Take Part in Global Peace Campaign

By Rufaro Chataika

WINDHOEK, 30 MAY – Perhaps nothing else may resemble peace like witnessing branches dancing to the wind while sun rays beam across and make possible the visage of their shade. Or even the silence that follows a storm, and the smell of nature itself after the rain drops. Peace is a concept that many have forgotten due to either economic woes, social neglect, or just the lack of a solution to everyday problems that drive many to the brink of insanity.

On May 25th, hundreds of youth and representatives of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) gathered in at Windhoek’s Independence Museum to raise awareness for the need to achieve a conflict-free Africa through a peace walk.

The event was jointly hosted by Non-Governmental Organisation(NGOs) Heavenly Culture, World Peace and Restoration of Light (HWPL), its affiliated group, the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), and the Namibia Youth Development Organization, all of whom were joined by scores of hopeful youth in an attempt to promote investing in the notion of peace.

This formed part of the 5th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace which has been carried out in 100 cities in 50 countries including South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, South Korea, UK, the U.S, India, and China.

The global movement is aimed to promote a culture of peace based on the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW).

HWPL, is a Non-Governmental Organization affiliated with UN ECOSOC, and had the first “Declaration of World Peace” in 2013 to call for all members of society to work together as peace messengers.

Chairman of HWPL, Mr. Man Hee Lee, has maintained that every person in every country is responsible for establishing world peace.

“Rather than waiting to take peace for granted, it is we who should put an end to all wars to protect humanity and our world and leave peace as a legacy for future generations. Since laws of today cannot compensate for the lives sacrificed in war, what we need is an instrument that protects human life, a law that prevents war,” he said.

Thormaline Shitaleni , co-founder of the Libra Foundation – an initiative run by Namibian youth that advocates for gender equality – said “Peace can and will be achieved in our generation today, every effort we put into creating peace is one step closer to a conflict-free Africa.”

In addition, she reminded the audience of the words: “When the Youth of the world unites, all wars will cease.” stated by Chairman Lee of HWPL.

The HWPL’s proposed ‘Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)’ embodies the value of the ‘Declaration of World Peace’.

The DPCW consists of 10 articles and 38 clauses that address principles of conflict resolution and international cooperation for peace building such as respect on the international law, peaceful dispute settlement, and spreading a culture of peace.

Civil societies carry out peace education on a daily basis throughout the entire globe. Other initiatives to encourage harmony include peace culture projects, and ‘Legislate Peace Campaign’ to establish a legally binding international law for peace and to create a peaceful environment in the society in cooperation with HWPL. Peace Be With You