“We have been empowered by the opportunities of independence, education, and technology, and now, more than ever, in this globalized world, we are in a position to make a positive difference in the lives of many,” said Dr. Nona Ricafort as she opened the Women's Track of the Global Peace Leadership Conference 2022 on December 2, 2022 in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines. Filipina and international women leaders convened to address, "Empowering Service-minded Women: Building a world of freedom, harmony, and peace.”
Dr. Ricafort, and educator and long-time Global Peace advocate was a key organizer of the Global Peace Festival 2022 in the Philippines and committee chair of the Women Empowerment Track. The Women Empowerment credited progress made for and by women, while connecting peacebuilding in the home and the world, and defined the work ahead for a more equitable and peaceful world.
“I have met a lot of powerful woman in the world and they will not going to be part of a war, because a service minded woman will always find a solution for peace,” said Ambassador Rosario Manalo, Special Representative of the Philippines to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, and expert on the CEDAW implementing committee from 1992-2002. She noted the importance of human rights as an important foundation for peace and development. In her Keynote address, Dr. Junsook Moon, Chairwoman of Global Peace Women, called on women to engage in peace on all levels, from her home to her world. “Mothers, sisters, daughters, and wives, our part in peace is irreplaceable. As service-minded women, we can animate the vision of “One Family under God” through the experiences in our families and reach across the world. Just as we experience our interconnectedness and recognize and protect the innate value, rights, and freedoms of every member of our family, we can do the same for all people.”
Local and international leaders added to the dialogue, defining the unique contribution of women in the areas of peace, national security, education, economic and social development, environmental conservation and more. Women like all of us present here today are the harbingers of change.,” said Dr. Cecilia Dy, Commissioner of the Philippine Commission on Women and President of the National Council of Women of the Philippines commented. Mrs. Rachel Murray, member of GPW’s International Advisory Council, encouraged women to be proud of who they are and become “gladiators of peace.”
The opening session ended with joyous song to be followed by a GPW Women’s Assembly that highlighted GPW’s work in the field and connected Filipina women leaders with international leaders in a colorful sisterhood ceremony.
Aishwarya Chaturvedi, Project Leader of Global Peace Women from India and Madam Bai Norhata Alonto, Philippines Security and Exchange Commissioner spoke on the relevance and impact of Global Peace Women’s approach to peacebuilding. Aishwarya has worked with Global Peace Women and her NGO in India, NIRMAN to teach girls and their families that “all human beings have intrinsic value and as they say, if you educate a man, you educate one person, if you educate a woman, you educate a nation.” Madam Boi, spoke of the life-long vision for peace that she and her husband have invested in, one that GPW has articulated, a peace founded in the peace that starts of the heart and family. Global Peace Women has been connecting service-minded women across the globe through education, service and collaboration to advance peace.
The unanimously affirmed Women’s Declaration laid out an action plan for women and peace through strengthening families, empowering service-minded women, and pursuing the SDGs through the pursuit of a shared vision of peace.
The Global Peace Leadership Conference was hosted as part of a three-day Global Peace Festival, which concluded on December 3.
Special thanks to the Organizing Committee Members including:
Global Peace Women, Philippines
National Council of Women of the Philippines (NCWP)
IWCPI District 380
Inner Wheel Club of Central Ortigas
All Nations Women’s Group
Zonta Club of Greater Rizal I
Rotary Club of Makati Ayala Triangle
Rotary Club of San Miguel Manila
Rotary Club of Manila San Marcelino
Rotary Club of Marikina Valley
Rotary Club of Manila Maharlika
Kapampangan Development Foundation Inc.