On 18th of February, International Peace Youth Group(IPYG) held “2019 Youth Peace Conference” under the theme of “Youth Make Tomorrow: Unity & Harmony” at the International Convention Centre, Cockle bay room in Sydney, Australia. This event, attended by 45 leaders of politics, education, and youth organizations as well as 350 audiences, was aimed to promote the collaboration of civic groups for the establishment of international law for peace.
The conference began with the congratulatory message from Cr. Stephan Barbour, the Deputy Mayor of North Sydney Council. “I was so surprised that young people are building a foundation for peace in support of the DPCW. I am also very excited to see the scene where the peace letters, which contain the voices of young people for peace, are delivered to the representatives of each country. This is evidence that young people are changing the world,” he said.
The “Peace Letter Campaign”, one of the IPYG’s initiatives that create the world without war, urges the heads of each state to enact legally binding international law for peace based on the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW). The DPCW consisting of 10 articles and 38 clauses includes provisions to avoid war-related actions and achieve peace and addresses respect on the international law, peaceful dispute settlement, and spreading a culture of peace.
Youth group leaders delivered the peace letters to 30 national leaders including Governor General of Tuvalu. In the speech, H.E. IakobaTaeiaItaleli, Governor General of Tuvalu, replied to the youth by saying “I have received your hearts through the letters, and will make the best of my effort to realize the world you dream to come true. I will do my best to encourage the rest of the world to support the DPCW so that we may bring a better future for the youth.”
Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL, an international peace NGO under the UN ECOSOC, said, “I met leaders of politics, religion, and social group from all over the world, but no one wanted war. If war does not happen, peace will be achieved. With the principles guaranteeing peace and avoiding conflicts and wars, the DPCW will contribute to the cessation of war, ultimately leading to the world of peace. It will be achieved when every individual of our global society advocates for it. Let us all become one and make peace.”
Mr. Young Min Chung, the General Director of IPYG, emphasized the role of youth in creating peace in this world for the responsibility of future lies in their hands. Also, he encouraged the participants to join the “Peace Letter Campaign” that will convey their longing for peace to the heads of state as well as their neighboring nations.
