Global Peace Foundation

FOUNDED IN 2009, GLOBAL PEACE FOUNDATION (GPF) WORKS DOMESTICALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE PEACE, SOCIAL COHESION, AND COMPASSIONATE DEVELOPMENT. WE BELIEVE A PEACEFUL FUTURE IS WITHIN OUR REACH, AND THAT OUR SHARED VALUES AND ASPIRATIONS AS MEMBERS OF THE HUMAN FAMILY ARE THE KEYS TO REALIZING DIVERSITY, PEACE AND PROSPERITY. GPF'S INNOVATIVE WORK INCLUDES COMMUNITY PEACEBUILDING, VIOLENCE PREVENTION, YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND VOLUNTEER SERVICE PROGRAMMING.

GPF ASIANORTHEAST ASIA REGION:GPF KOREA FIELD AFFILIATE 2ND KOREAN DREAM ART EXHIBITION WAS HELD FOR A WEEK IN INSADONG TO PROVIDE A SPACE FOR EMPATHY AND SHARING RELATED TO THE DIVISION OF NORTH AND SOUTH KOREA, FEATURING 50 ARTISTS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, INCLUDING CITIZEN ARTISTS, NORTH KOREAN DEFECTORS, AND YOUNG ARTISTS. TOGETHER, THE ARTISTS PARTICIPATED IN SPREADING THE "KOREAN DREAM," A PAN-NATIONAL VISION OF PEACEFUL REUNIFICATION BASED ON THE SPIRIT OF HONGIK INGAN (MEANING "TO BROADLY BENEFIT THE HUMAN WORLD"). GLOBAL PEACE WOMEN HOSTED THE "K-FAMILY CONNECTING NORTH AND SOUTH" EVENT WHICH CONSISTED OF TWO PARTS: AN ARIRANG CONCERT AND A MESSAGE-WRITING SESSION. ARIRANG IS A NATIONAL SONG THAT HAS BEEN PASSED DOWN THROUGH THE LONG HISTORY OF THE KOREAN PEOPLE. THE ARIRANG CAN BE SUNG BY BOTH NORTH AND SOUTH KOREANS WITH THE MEANING THAT NORTH AND SOUTH ARE ONE FAMILY. THE INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON ONE KOREA WAS ORGANIZED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE "KOREAN DREAM FESTA 2023", A CELEBRATION OF KOREA'S NATIONAL FOUNDATION DAY ON OCTOBER 3. THE FESTIVAL MOBILIZED 10,000 CITIZENS IN SEOUL AND OTHER CITIES. THIS TIMELY FORUM CONVENED PROMINENT EXPERTS, POLICYMAKERS, JOURNALISTS, AND CIVIL SOCIETY LEADERS FROM KOREA AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO BUILD STRONGER AND BROADER INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR PEACE ON THE KOREAN PENINSULA. GPF MONGOLIA FIELD AFFILIATE THE ANNUAL MONGOLIA FORUM WAS HOSTED BY GPF MONGOLIA TO ADDRESS THE ROLE OF ECONOMY AND TOURISM FOR NORTHEAST ASIA PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT AND STRATEGIES AND PROSPECTS TO ADVANCE PEACE ON THE KOREAN PENINSULA AND NORTHEAST ASIA REGION. GPF MONGOLIA ENGAGED SEVERAL HUNDRED LOCAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN ITS MODEL VILLAGE PROJECT, PLUS SEVERAL HUNDRED YOUTH IN REGIONAL PEACE AND PROSPERITY PROGRAMMING AND CONTESTS. GPF JAPAN FIELD AFFILIATE GLOBAL PEACE FOUNDATION JAPAN HOSTED THE MULTICULTURAL ONE FAMILY FESTIVAL 2023 AT PLAZA MAAM IN HAMACHO, TOKYO, ON NOVEMBER 5 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE EMBASSIES OF INDONESIA, BRAZIL, AND UZBEKISTAN, AS WELL AS MEGURO RINRI HOJINKAI (ETHICAL CORPORATION ASSOCIATION OF MEGURO). APPROXIMATELY 400 PARTICIPANTS ENJOYED LIVELY PERFORMANCES AND VIBRANT INTERACTIONS BETWEEN PEOPLE FROM MANY BACKGROUNDS.SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST ASIA SUPPORTED GLOBAL PEACE VOLUNTEERS PROGRAMMING INCLUDING A VARIETY OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE PROJECT INCLUDING THE PEACEBOOK LIBRARY PROJECT, THE ENGLISHED PROJECT, GREENED (ENVIRONMENTAL TEACHING) PROJECT, AND OTHER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS IN INDONESIA, MALAYSIA, PHILIPPINES, AND CAMBODIA.GPF PHILIPPINES FIELD AFFILIATE AT THE GLOBAL YOUTH SUMMIT, ALMOST 4000 YOUTH GATHERED IN MANILLA WHERE THEY LEARNED ABOUT PRESSING SOCIETAL CONCERNS RELATED TO THE UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS. SM CARES CO-HOSTED THE EVENT AND SPECIAL GUESTS INCLUDED THE JOINT UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON HIV AND AIDS (UNAIDS) GOODWILL AMBASSADOR FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC, AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE TRAVEL, ANGKAS, MILO SPORTS AND SOUTHEAST ASIAN GAMES GOLD MEDALIST ATHLETES. THE YOUTH VOLUNTEERISM AND SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM WAS HELD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI AND INCLUDED STUDENT PARTICIPANTS AND SPEAKERS FROM UNITED NATIONS ESCAP STAFF ASSOCIATION, ALLIANCE FOR IMPROVING HEALTH OUTCOMES, INDORELAWAN, BENEVOLENT MALAYSIA AND OTHERS. UPGRADED THE SKILLS OF EDUCATORS WITH A VARIETY OF WEBINAR AND IN-PERSON CONVENINGS ON EDUCATION AND PEACEBUILDING TOPICS, DEVELOPMENT OF CHARACTER AND CREATIVITY, AND RELATED TOPICS. UPLIFTED COMMUNITY ORGANIZING IN FAR-FLUNG REMOTE COMMUNITIES THROUGH THE ALL-LIGHTS VILLAGES PROJECT, WHICH ENGAGED MORE THAN 3700 PARTICIPANTS. GPF MALAYSIA FIELD AFFILIATE GPF'S WASH PROGRAM FOR THE FAR-FLUNG ORANG ASLI INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES PROVIDES EDUCATION ON WATER MANAGEMENT AND HYGIENE. THE EFFORTS ALSO INCLUDED OUTFITTING LOCAL COMMUNITIES WITH SUBMERSIBLE WATER PUMPS, SOLAR PANELS AND POLY-PIPING TO BRING WATER TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES, ALLEVIATING WOMEN AND GIRLS THE DAILY AND TIME CONSUMING CHORE OF WATER COLLECTION. ORANG ASLI COMMUNITIES WERE FURTHER SUPPORTED THROUGH VARIOUS PROGRAMS, INCLUDING SUSTAINABLE FOOD FARMING, MOBILE SCHOOL AND OTHER EFFORTS. GPF INDONESIA FIELD AFFILIATE ALONGSIDE THE CITRA INSTITUTE, GPF HOSTED THE U-GEN SUMMIT TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT YOUTH ENGAGEMENT AND PARTICIPATION IN INDONESIA'S PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT. THE 2023 U-GEN SUMMIT WELCOMED HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS FROM SEVEN PARTNER UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES: PRESIDENT UNIVERSITY, AL-AZHAR INDONESIA UNIVERSITY, TAMAN SISWA UNIVERSITY PALEMBANG, MUHAMMADIYAH TANGERANG UNIVERSITY, INSAN CITA INDONESIA UNIVERSITY, SUTOMO UNIVERSITY, SERANG, AND JEMBER UNIVERSITY. KEY SPEAKERS AT THE SUMMIT INCLUDED DR. PROSPER MAGUCHU (VRIJE UNIVERSITY AMSTERDAM), DR. FOKKY FUAD WASITAATMADJA (AL-AZHAR UNIVERSITY OF INDONESIA), AND INAYAH WAHID (GUSDURIAN NETWORK). PARTICIPATED IN THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE INCLUDING PRODUCING AND SHARING A VIDEO MESSAGE AIMED TO INSPIRE DIVERSITY AND CONNECTION WITH OTHERS AS ESSENTIAL ASPECTS OF PEACEBUILDING. THE 2023 YOUNG BRIDGING LEADERS CHALLENGE IS AN INTERNATIONAL ONLINE LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP WITH A POWERFUL MISSION OF RAISING THE PEACEBUILDING CAPACITY OF YOUTH. 2023'S THEME WAS, "UNLEASHING LEADERSHIP FOR A PEACEFUL WORLD." PARTNERS INCLUDED ASOSIASI KEPALA SEKOLAH INDONESIA (AKSI), NATALIE IN THE LIGHT INITIATIVE, SKILLISTAN, AND TRANSFORMATIONFIRSTASIA. THE PROGRAM WELCOMED 90 YOUNG LEADERS FROM 20 DIVERSE AND DYNAMIC TEAMS OF YOUNG LEADERS FROM INDONESIA, INDIA, NEPAL, CAMBODIA, AND THE PHILIPPINES, TO FOSTER PEACE AND STRONGER YOUTH LEADERSHIP IN ACHIEVING THE UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS. PEACE PROJECTS ENGAGED OVER 400 PARTICIPANTS IN LOCAL SERVICES PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES. GPF NEPAL FIELD AFFILIATE PARTICIPATED IN THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE BY ORGANIZING A WORKSHOP ON "ART FOR SOCIAL CHANGE" WITH THE GOAL OF STRENGTHENING CONNECTIONS AND PEACEBUILDING SKILLS WHILE CREATING GROUP "DAY OF PEACE" ART PROJECTS. GPF NEPAL HAS CONTINUED TO ENGAGE MORE THAN 2,000 VOLUNTEERS, INTERNS, AND STUDENTS IN PEACEBUILDING ACTIVITIES THROUGH FOUR PROGRAMSMORAL AND INNOVATIVE LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS, GLOBAL PEACEBUILDERS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM, PROJECT SAKSHAM, AND PROJECT SHAKTIFOCUSINGWHICH SUPPORTED WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP, PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND A FAMILY CULTURE OF SERVICE AND VOLUNTEERISM. FUNDED IN PART BY THE ROTARY CLUBS OF MERCER ISLAND AND BHADGEON, THE GLOBAL PEACEBUILDERS PRACTICUM NEPAL WAS A SEVEN-MONTH PROGRAM FOR YOUTH TO DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS, PROMOTE PEACE AND SERVICE, AND CREATE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. GPF NEPAL ENGAGED EXPERTS IN SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AND HOSTED WORKSHOPS TO ASSIST RESIDENTS, MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES, AND ENTREPRENEURS TO DEVELOP SUSTAINABLE AND HYGIENIC PRACTICES, SUCH AS SEPARATING ORGANIC AND NONORGANIC WASTE, COMPOSTING AND VERMICOMPOSTING, A PROCESS OF USING MICRO-ORGANISMS TO TURN KITCHEN WASTE INTO NUTRIENT-RICH HUMUS. GPF INDIA FIELD AFFILIATE GLOBAL PEACE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 2023 INDO PACIFIC: MEETING OVER THREE DAYS AT THE CONFERENCE, OVER 1000 PEACE ADVOCATES ADDRESSED FOCUS AREAS OF YOUTH EMPOWERMENT, TRANSFORMING EDUCATION, VALUES-BASED PEACEBUILDING, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION. SPECIFIC OUTCOMES OF THE CONFERENCE INCLUDED LAUNCHING A PEACE HUBS CAMPAIGN AND YOUTH-LED PEACE CLUBS TO PROMOTE YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT; UNIVERSITY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL EFFORTS TO CULTIVATE VALUES OF COMPASSION, CREATIVITY AND INTEGRITY; CIVIL SOCIETY PARTNERSHIPS AND ENGAGEMENT THROUGH COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS. GPF INDIA PARTNERED WITH DAVIET TO COMMEMORATE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY WITH A WORKSHOP, "PEACE, FOOD SECURITY, AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE," HIGHLIGHTING THE PIVOTAL ROLE OF YOUTH. GPF INDIA'S WASH (WATER, SANITATION, AND HYGIENE) PROJECT EDUCATED CHILDRENON THE PROPER WAY OF WASHING HANDS. VOLUNTEERS DISTRIBUTED SOAPS AND OTHER PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS TO HELP LOCAL FAMILIES INCREASE THEIR HEALTH AND WELLNESS. GPF INDIA ALSO FACILITATED PEACEBUILDING WORKSHOPS FOR APPROXIMATELY 1000 YOUTH, INCLUDING THE YOUTH CIRCLE DIALOGUE AND 2023 PEACEBUILDING AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING FOR STUDENTS TO LEARN PEACEBUILDING BASICS. OVER 100 YOUNG WOMEN RECEIVED AWARENESS-RAISING INFORMATION AND SANITARY SUPPLIES THROUGH GPF INDIA'S PERIOD AWARENESS DRIVE. OVER 3700 YOUTH PARTICIPATED IN YOUTH PEACE CLUBS. GPF CAMBODIA IN ADDITION TO THE GREENED PROGRAM TEACHING ECOLOGICAL RESPONSIBILITY TO YOUTH, THE SAFE WATER SAFE BOTTLE PROJECT AIMS TO PROVIDE PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH CLEAN DRINKING WATER, WHILE REDUCING PLASTIC BOTTLE USE THROUGH REUSABLE WATER BOTTLES. GLOBAL PEACE FOUNDATION CAMBODIA PARTNERED WITH THE KROUSAR THMEY FOUNDATION TO PUT ON THE ONE BOOK ONE LOVE CAMPAIGN TO BRING LITERATURE TO MORE THAN 800 CHILDREN LIVING IN POVERTY.

EUROPE:PEACESHARING FORUM 2023: OVER 1000 EDUCATORS, PEACEBUILDING ADVOCATES, AND SURVIVORS OF EXTREMIST VIOLENCE EXPLORED APPROACHES TO STRENGTHENING PEACEFUL COMMUNITIES AND CLASSROOMS AT A VIRTUAL PEACESHARING FORUM ON MARCH 29-30. THE TWO-DAY PROGRAM ENGAGED PARTICIPANTS FROM OVER 70 COUNTRIES AND WAS CO-SPONSORED BY THE GLOBAL PEACE FOUNDATION AND CO-OPERATION IRELAND. THE FORUM ADDRESSED EVOLVING PRIORITIES FACED BY EDUCATORS, THE GROWING IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON YOUTH AND ITS POTENTIAL AS A TOOL FOR PEACEBUILDING, AND THE ROLE OF NGOS IN MITIGATING CONFLICT AND FOSTERING SUSTAINABLE PEACE. THE FORUM INCLUDED 25 SPEAKERS FROM PLAN INTERNATIONAL, TUESDAY'S CHILDREN, OECD EDUCATION 2030, HARVARD UNIVERSITY, RETHINKING CONFLICT, ALLIANCE FOR PEACEBUILDING, INTERNATIONAL ALERT, SEARCH FOR COMMON GROUND AND PEGG ENTERTAINMENT AFRICA AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. A FREE TRAINING ON COMMUNITY SAFETY WAS ALSO PROVIDED. THE TRAINING AND CONFERENCE SESSIONS WERE ALSO MADE AVAILABLE ON-DEMAND.

GPF AMERICAS CHAPTER GPF INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS / USA CONCLUDED THE SAFE COMMUNITIES, SAFER YOUTH PROJECT FUNDED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, WHICH ENGAGED COMMUNITY AND FAITH LEADERS IN PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MARYLAND, AND SURROUNDING WASHINGTON, DC METROPOLITAN AREAS TO RECOGNIZE RISK FACTORS FOR RADICALIZATION AND WAYS TO PREVENT MASS CASUALTY EVENTS, SCHOOL SHOOTINGS AND HATE-MOTIVATED VIOLENCE. THIS PROJECT TRAINED OVER 1700 COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND REACHED 1.5 MILLION INDIVIDUALS ACROSS SOCIAL MEDIA. CONTINUED TO IMPLEMENT THE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDED PROJECT SAFER MARYLAND CAMPAIGN TO ENGAGE COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND YOUTH SERVING ORGANIZATIONS IN PREVENTING MASS CASUALTY EVENTS SUCH AS SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY OPEN-SPACE SHOOTINGS WHICH MAY BE FUELED BY TARGETED VIOLENCE OR TERRORISM. AS A SUB-AWARDEE OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, CONTINUED THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDED PROJECT VIOLENCE PREVENTION THROUGH CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT TO STRENGTHEN LOCAL CAPACITY FOR PREVENTION THROUGH THREAT ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT. SPONSORED BY THE GLOBAL PEACE FOUNDATION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PROJECT PNEUMA, A BALTIMORE-BASED NON-PROFIT, THE BALTIMORE CROSS-COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROJECT SEEKS TO REDUCE RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, INCREASE EMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING, BUILD BRIDGES, AND STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN COMMUNITY MEMBERS FROM BLACK AND WHITE COMMUNITIES. CONTINUED TO SUPPORT THE MONTANA CROSS-COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PILOT WHICH ENGAGED APPX. 20 INDIVIDUALS FROM NATIVE AMERICAN AND WHITE COMMUNITIES. WE CONTINUED TO SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM INCLUDING CO-CONVENING THE ANNUAL WASHINGTON D.C.-BASED INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM SUMMIT PLUS PARTICIPATION IN VARIOUS DOMESTIC AND OVERSEAS MINISTERIALS, AND ROUNDTABLES. THESE ACTIVITIES ENGAGED MORE THAN 1800 PARTICIPANTS INCLUDING GOVERNMENT, FAITH AND COMMUNITY LEADERS. GPF PARAGUAY FIELD AFFILIATE WOMEN FROM BRAZIL, ECUADOR, CHILE, COLOMBIA, ARGENTINA, PERU, URUGUAY, CUBA, AND PARAGUAY CONVENED IN MAY 2023 FOR A VIRTUAL CONFERENCE TO UPLIFT WOMEN IN THE REGION AS CATALYSTS FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT. GLOBAL PEACE FOUNDATION, IN COLLABORATION WITH LEGACY OF THE AMERICAS HOSTED SPEAKERS AND PRESENTERS WHO ADDRESSED THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN POLITICS AS A FORCE TO TACKLE CORRUPTION, PROVIDE EDUCATION AND PROTECTION OF CHILDREN, AND ENHANCE ECONOMIC FREEDOM AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY THROUGH ENTREPRENEURSHIP. GPF BRAZIL FIELD AFFILIATE AS A FOUR-YEAR MEMBER, PARTICIPATED IN THE LATEST UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL (ECOSOC) CONFERENCE DISCUSSING "ACCELERATING THE RECOVERY FROM THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19) AND THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2030 AGENDA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AT ALL LEVELS." THE MEETING FOCUSED ON THE TOPICS OF EDUCATION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES. ORGANIZED CONVERSATIONS THAT CONNECT TO ENGAGE 1400 LOCAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN RESILIENCE-STRENGTHENING DIALOGUE SERIES ABOUT PRESSING ISSUES. HOSTED A FAMILY FESTIVAL WITH 500 PARTICIPANTS WHO LEARNED ABOUT RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS IN THE COMMUNITY. PROVIDED A SERIES OF IN-PERSON ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING WORKSHOPS ON TOPICS SUCH AS GLOBAL EXCHANGE - COMMUNITY CHANGE, KNOWING THE GEOGRAPHICAL SPACE I INHABIT, AND RELATED SUBJECTS, WHICH ENGAGED APPROXIMATELY 2,000 PARTICIPANTS, VOLUNTEERS AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS. GPF GUATEMALA FIELD AFFILIATE CONTINUED TO ORGANIZE AND SUPPORT THE LATIN AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL MISSION, A LEADING ASSOCIATION OF FORMER HEADS OF STATE. THE MISSION INCLUDES NEARLY TWO DOZEN DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED FORMER PRESIDENTS COMMITTED TO STRENGTHENING GOOD GOVERNANCE, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL STABILITY, AND NATIONAL COHESION. SUPPORTED THE LATIN AMERICAN FORUM OF IDEAS AND WORKSHOPS FOR OPINION LEADERS, WHICH ENGAGED OVER 8,000 PARTICIPANTS FROM A BROAD RANGE OF GOVERNMENT, CIVIL SOCIETY AND NGO, ACADEMICS AND LOCAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS. ORGANIZED A SERIES OF ONLINE WEBINARS ON VARIOUS TOPICS SUCH AS WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY, GLOBAL TOWN HALLS, POLITICAL DIALOGUE AND TOPICS RELATED TO INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, ENGAGING MORE THAN 2,000 PARTICIPANTS.

AFRICA:GPF KENYA FIELD AFFILIATE CONTINUED THE GREAT PLACES TO SCHOOL PROGRAM, A RESEARCH-BASED RATING SYSTEM THAT IDENTIFIES BOTH PRIMARY AND HIGH SCHOOLS WHOSE INNOVATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND OVERALL SCHOOL CULTURE CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE HOLISTIC CHILD. THIS PROJECT IS EQUIVALENT TO AN ANNUAL REPORT CARD THAT PROVIDES ACCURATE, OBJECTIVE, AND TRANSPARENT INFORMATION ABOUT SCHOOL PERFORMANCE. A 2023 HIGHLIGHT WAS THE 3RD ANNUAL GREAT PLACES TO SCHOOL GALA THAT RECOGNIZED OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS AND SCHOOLS IN VARIOUS CATEGORIES. GPF KENYA'S 2023 TRANSFORMING EDUCATION SUMMIT EXPLORED WAYS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE FOR EDUCATORS TO INTEGRATE ETHICS AND WORKPLACE SKILLS INTO ALL LEVELS OF EDUCATION TO RAISE LEARNERS AND EDUCATORS' CHARACTER, CREATIVITY, AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS. SUPPORTERS OF THE SUMMIT INCLUDED THE KENYA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, STANDARD GROUP PLC, SKY GIRLS KENYA, ORACLE, WORLD VISION KENYA, EMOBILIS MOBILE TECHNOLOGY. GPF KENYA'S MILLION TREE GROWING CAMPAIGN AIMED TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION AND ENHANCE KENYA'S FOREST COVER THROUGH TREE PLANTING ACTIVITIES IN VARIOUS REGIONS. THE CAMPAIGN IS IMPLEMENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CHANDARIA FOUNDATION, STANDARD MEDIA GROUP, UNICAF, KENYA FOREST SERVICE, AND OTHER KEY STAKEHOLDERS IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION SECTOR, AND ENGAGED OVER 3500 VOLUNTEERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. GPF NIGERIA FIELD AFFILIATE GLOBAL PEACE FOUNDATION NIGERIA, IN COLLABORATION WITH BIG MINDS COMMUNICATION CONSULTS (BMCC) AND THE NIGERIAN UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ), ORGANIZED A ONE-DAY INTERACTIVE SESSION ON PEACEFUL ELECTIONS IN KADUNA STATE ON MARCH 7, 2023. MORE THAN 150 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE PROGRAM HELD AT THE CORRESPONDENT CHAPEL IN KADUNA. THIS DIVERSE CROWD SUPPORTED THE EFFORTS TO FOSTER PEACEFUL ELECTIONS IN THE COUNTRY'S 2023 ELECTION SEASON. PARTICIPATED IN THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE BY COLLABORATING WITH THE CHRISTIAN RURAL AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (CRUDAN) TO GATHER APPROXIMATELY 400 FAITH LEADERS, TRADITIONAL RULERS, YOUTH LEADERS, WOMEN LEADERS, CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMMUNITY-BASED GROUPS AROUND THE THEME OF PEACE. PEACE DAY PROGRAMS SHOWCASED PEACEFUL DIALOGUE AND A SHARED COMMITMENT TO OVERCOMING LONGSTANDING DIVIDES TO PROMOTE PEACE IN THE REGION. REV. JOHN HAYAB, COUNTRY DIRECTOR MADE A POWERFUL PRESENTATION TO THE 80 MILLION LOCAL TELEVISION VIEWERS OF "GOOD MORNING NIGERIA" BY HIGHLIGHTING THE ROLES OF GOVERNMENT, RELIGIOUS LEADERS, TRADITIONAL RULERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO ACTIVELY EMBODY THE KEY ELEMENTS OF PEACEBUILDING, SUCH AS SEEKING TO UNDERSTAND OTHERS, PROMOTING ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL STABILITY, RESPECTING HUMAN RIGHTS, CIVIC PARTICIPATION AND DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES. COMMEMORATING WORLD TRAUMA DAY, GLOBAL PEACE FOUNDATION NIGERIA COLLABORATED WITH THE O' TRAUMA VICTIMS INITIATIVE (OTVI) AND THE UNITED STATES INSTITUTE OF PEACE (USIP) IN AN EVENT WITH THE THEME, "EMBRACING RESILIENCE, OVERCOMING TRAUMA'S IMPACT; THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT AND RELIGIOUS ACTORS." THE PURPOSE OF THE EVENT WAS TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE EMOTIONAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, AND PHYSICAL IMPACT OF TRAUMA GLOBALLY. WITH SPEECHES, DISCUSSION PANELS, AND HEART-WARMING POETRY AND PERFORMANCES BY STUDENTS FROM SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL, THE EVENT ENCOURAGED A COLLECTIVE EFFORT TO WORK TOWARD RESILIENCE, SUPPORT, AND EMPATHY, EMPHASIZING THE INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF HUMANITY IN FACING ADVERSITY. THE 2023 HOPE BUILDERS FESTIVAL WAS HELD ON NOVEMBER 22, 2023, IN KADUNA, NIGERIA, TO EMPOWER YOUTH, NURTURE INTERFAITH HARMONY, AND PROMOTE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. THE EVENT WAS HOSTED BY HOPE BUILDERS INTERNATIONAL WITH SUPPORT FROM GLOBAL PEACE FOUNDATION NIGERIA, INTERFAITH MEDIATION CENTER, JDPC AND MAXWELL KYON FOUNDATION. WITH A FOCUS ON SKILL-BUILDING INITIATIVES, THE PROGRAM SOUGHT TO EMPOWER UPCOMING GENERATIONS WITH PRACTICAL SKILLS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ECONOMIC STABILITY, EMPHASIZING ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY. INTERFAITH DIALOGUE AND ENGAGEMENT AMONG DIVERSE RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE PROGRAM, HELPING REDUCE TENSION AND FOSTERING MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING. IN COMMEMORATION OF THE 2023 INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY, GLOBAL PEACE FOUNDATION NIGERIA COLLABORATED WITH HOPE FOR THE VILLAGE CHILD FOUNDATION FOR A SENSITIZATION WORKSHOP HELD AT THE HVCF LEARNING CENTER TO HOST APPROX. 50 WOMEN AND YOUTH. PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE RADIO CAMPAIGN WITH TWO WEEKLY 30-MINUTE PROGRAMS BROADCAST LIVE VIA THREE RADIO STATIONS. THE PROGRAM REACHES AN AUDIENCE OF SOME THREE MILLION LISTENERS ACROSS THE REGION, AIMED TO REDUCE IDENTITY-BASED CONFLICT AMONGST CHRISTIAN AND MUSLIM COMMUNITIES. GPF NIGERIA HOSTED TRAINING SESSIONS TO ESTABLISH WOMEN'S COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES FOR ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT. WOMEN FROM DIVERSE RELIGIOUS AND ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS WERE INTRODUCED TO THE PRINCIPLES, PURPOSE, AND HOW LOCAL COOPERATIVES CAN GENERATE INCOME AND SERVE AS A PATHWAY OUT OF POVERTY. GPF UGANDA FIELD AFFILIATE PROVIDED SKILLS TRAINING AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ADOLESCENT YOUNG MOTHERS AND MOTHERS-TO-BE AIMING TO INCREASE THEIR INCOME GENERATION SKILLS. ENGAGED OVER 200 COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN EFFORTS TO REDUCE TEEN PREGNANCY AND CHILD MARRIAGES. SUPPORTED OVER 100 WOMEN IN WORKSHOPS TO CHAMPION WOMENS' INCLUSION IN COMBATTING CLIMATE CHANGE. ENGAGED MORE THAN 1000 EDUCATORS IN TRANSFORMING EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WEBINARS AND IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS. GPF TANZANIA FIELD AFFILIATE GPF TANZANIA PARTNERED WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO COMMEMORATE THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2023, IN ZANZIBAR WITH A SERIES OF SERVICE PROJECTS AND EVENTS TO SPREAD AWARENESS FOR PEACEBUILDING NATIONWIDE. WITH JANE GOODALL INSTITUTE, A TREE-PLANTING PROJECT WITH YOUNG VOLUNTEERS WAS ORGANIZED TO UPLIFT THE ROLE OF YOUTH IN PRESERVING NATURAL RESOURCES. WITH ZANZIBAR FARASI YOUTH GROUP, GPF ORGANIZED A UNIQUE EVENT CALLED "PEACE JUMP" THAT USED A PICTURESQUE DIVING SPOT TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF PEACE AND UNITY AND CREATE "WAVES OF PEACE". GPF TANZANIA AND THE UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME LAUNCHED THE VIJANA NA AMANI 255 (YOUTH AND PEACE) CAMPAIGN TO PROVIDE PEACEBUILDING EDUCATION TO YOUTH. THE CAMPAIGN SEEKS TO COUNTER THE THREAT OF RADICALIZATION IN THE SOUTHERN REGION BORDERING MOZAMBIQUE THROUGH EDUCATION, SENSITIZATION AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING, AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP CAPACITY BUILDING. ORGANIZED THE "MAMAHODARI INITIATIVE FOR SINGLE MOTHERS WITH SOCIAL SUPPORT AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT. "MAMAHODARI" TRANSLATES TO "BRAVE MOTHERS AND AIMS TO SUPPORT BRAVE SINGLE MOTHERS AND PROVIDE SKILLS THAT CAN IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THEIR FAMILIES. WITH FUNDING FROM GLOBAL CENTER ON COOPERATIVE SECURITY, WE LAUNCHED THE COUNTERING FINANCING OF TERRORISM PROJECT TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE NONPROFIT SECTOR ABOUT PREVENTING TERRORISM AND FINANCING OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM. OVER 300 LOCAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WERE TRAINED.