On December 14, 2024, the Global Peace Women (GPW) family gathered virtually to celebrate a year of extraordinary achievements under the theme of “One Family under God.” The event was a vibrant reflection of shared dedication, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to fostering peace and unity worldwide.
GPW is dedicated to empowering women and families as key agents of peacebuilding. Founded on the principle of “One Family under God,” GPW emphasizes the importance of family as the cornerstone of harmonious and thriving societies. Through initiatives such as values education, leadership development, and advocacy, GPW inspires women worldwide to take leadership roles in their communities, fostering unity and addressing critical issues like family cohesion, education, and social harmony. Guided by the belief that peace begins in the home, GPW works to create sustainable models of collaboration that empower women and families to be agents of positive change.
Quoting GPW Chairwoman, Dr. Junsook Moon, who spoke in Nairobi, Kenya in June, Ms. Hanako Ikeno, current GPW President, highlighted the importance of the family in local and regional peacebuilding:
“From basic social connections, civic duty, business and enterprise, and governance – everything becomes an extension of the peace that begins in the home. Thus, the first, most natural place to begin our work to realize this dream of peace and mutual prosperity, is in the home.”
During the reflection, the GPW family relived the year’s triumphs through a presentation of key initiatives:
- Global Initiatives: From launching the African Renaissance Initiative, building up the Korean Dream 10 Million campaign and other key initiatives, Global Peace Women has worked collaboratively with Global Peace Foundation and partners to highlight the family imperative in these peacebuilding efforts.
- Local Chapter Successes: From Nigeria to Paraguay, GPW chapters worked tirelessly throughout the year, capacitating and including women and families in their local peacebuilding processes.
- Sunshine Family Volunteers (SFV): Over three years, this initiative has mobilized families to actively participate in community service projects and cultivate a culture of compassion, unity, and service. SFV encourages family members of all ages to collaborate on volunteer activities, promoting intergenerational learning and shared values. SFV fosters local peacebuilding efforts and reinforces GPW’s vision of a world where families are central to creating lasting harmony.
- Global Women Dream (GWD) Projects: Local women making impact in their communities through innovative and values-driven efforts that inspire positive social transformation, starting in the home.
In total, GPW’s efforts spanned 28 countries and positively impacted over 13,000 beneficiaries. Recognition of outstanding contributors added to the event’s celebratory spirit:
- Best Sunshine Family Volunteer Coordinators
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- Sotonye Christy J. Smith (Nigeria)
- Shakilur Rahman (Bangladesh)
- Daniel David Dalyop (Nigeria)
- Best Global Women Dream Grant Project Award: Girls Tech Bootcamp 3.0 led by Aisha Yakubu in Nigeria, was honored for its innovative approach to empowering young women through technology.
Distinguished guests, regional representatives, and dedicated coordinators celebrated together, sharing stories and visions for the future. Mrs. Younshim Park shared valuable insights from the 2024 GPW survey, providing a roadmap for 2025. Messages from esteemed leaders such as Rev. John Joseph Hayab, Country Director, Global peace Foundation (GPF) Nigeria, Cristina Field, Women’s Regional Representative of Latin America, and Dr. Nona Ricafort further inspired participants to continue their impactful work.
As GPW sets its sights on 2025, the focus remains on strengthening families, fostering women’s leadership, and enhancing peacebuilding efforts worldwide. Plans include expanding initiatives like the African Renaissance and the Global Peace Leadership Corps while creating new resources for families.
The 2024 GPW End-of-Year Review & Celebration was not only a reflection of accomplishments but also evidence to what can be achieved through shared vision and purpose, together, as One Family under God, we have the power to create lasting peace and unity in the world.
Here’s to an impactful 2025! Follow us on social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram.