Peace Forum 2025: "Peace Heals, Building Lasting Peace"
Europe

Peace Forum 2025: “Peace Heals, Building Lasting Peace”

Global Chronicle

Bringing diverse voices together to inspire cooperation and healing for peace

The Hague, Netherlands – October 18, 2025 – Amid rising global conflicts and personal anxieties, the HWPL Netherlands–Belgium Branches will host the Peace Forum 2025 to provide a platform where citizens can reflect on inner peace and explore ways to extend it into broader social harmony. The forum will take place on Saturday, October 18, from 14:00 to 16:00 at Vreedehuis, The Hague. 


Poster of Peace Forum 2025: “Peace Heals, Building Lasting Peace”

Event Details

  • Event: HWPL Netherlands–Belgium Peace Forum 2025
  • Date & Time: October 18, 2025 (Saturday), 14:00–16:00
  • Location: Vreedehuis, The Hague, Netherlands
  • Hosted by: HWPL Netherlands–Belgium Branches
  • Co-organizers: IWPG, IPYG
  • Participation: Free, advance registration required

(https://forms.gle/ngzgwCrNzcDzZREz7)


This year’s forum, themed “Peace Heals, Building Lasting Peace”, carries the slogan “From My Peace, To Our True Peace”, highlighting the connection between personal inner peace and broader social harmony.

The forum will bring together participants from diverse sectors to share ideas and explore practical ways to cultivate peace in both individual lives and communities. Key speakers include Andy Vermaut, Founder of Fundamental Rights Movement PostVersa, Stephan Eshuis, Organizer of Peace Café, and May-May Meijer, Chairperson of Peace SOS, who will offer insights on how peace can serve as both a process of healing and a product of cooperation.


The Significance of Inner Peace in Today’s World

Despite widespread belief in living peacefully, global reality shows otherwise. In 2024, 61 state-based armed conflicts were reported—the highest since World War II. At the same time, nearly half of Europeans report experiencing anxiety or depression. (European Commission, 2023; WHO Europe, 2025)

Against this backdrop, HWPL Netherlands–Belgium Branches emphasizes that peace must begin within each individual and extend outward to society. Over the past year, the branches have conducted programs focused on harmony and cooperation, including dialogue initiatives, youth projects, and peace education. The 2025 forum continues this effort, aiming to expand awareness and foster a network of citizens actively engaged in peacebuilding.


Forum Program

The forum will feature opening remarks, keynote speeches on peace, HWPL’s annual review and future plans, and interactive networking sessions. These activities are designed to encourage participants to reflect on inner peace, strengthen collaboration, and build meaningful connections across diverse backgrounds.

Additionally, the “Sign for Her” campaign will be showcased at a dedicated booth during the forum, highlighting HWPL’s ongoing efforts in Zambia to promote gender equality, menstrual health, and education for girls.


Ongoing Peace Initiatives

This year’s forum is part of the ongoing peace initiatives of HWPL Netherlands–Belgium Branches in Europe.

Throughout 2025, the branches have conducted various activities to promote peace, including a webinar on the legislation of peace (DPCW), the Harmony Walk – Toward Global Peace events in The Hague and Antwerp, monthly interfaith dialogue sessions through the World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Office (WARP Office), the Religious Peace Academy to foster education and dialogue among diverse faiths, and the citizen-participation campaign Paint for Peace, aimed at raising awareness of youth mental health.

The “Sign for Her” campaign, originally implemented in Zambia to provide menstrual products, health education, and legal awareness for girls, will also be introduced to European participants through a forum booth, reflecting HWPL’s global approach to peace and human rights.

These initiatives illustrate HWPL’s philosophy that peace grows when people unite across differences, listen with empathy, and share responsibility for a caring society.


Sign for Her Campaign Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577093143816


About HWPL

HWPL conducts these activities to empower citizens to practice peace directly and contribute to building a harmonious society. HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light) is an international peace NGO dedicated to ending war, promoting human rights, providing peace education, and fostering citizen engagement for sustainable peace. Operating in over 100 countries, HWPL works across religions, generations, and regions to spread a culture of peace through collaborative programs and campaigns.

HWPL Official Website https://www.hwpl.kr/language/en/home-hwpl-_en/