Global Peace Convention goes back to Manila
With the theme, “Moral and Innovative Leadership: New Models for Peace and Development,” the convention led by the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) have engaged experts and field representatives in diverse convention tracks, including youth leadership and service, transforming education, Korean unification, interfaith peace-building, women’s leadership culture, and economic and business forums from Feb. 28 to Mar. 3 at Marriott Manila.
Manila hosted the first Global Peace Convention in 2009, and in the years following the Global Peace Foundation has launched a range of education, environmental, youth and community development initiatives in the Philippines emphasizing universal principles and shared values as a basis for peace and greater prosperity.
Among many projects, GPF’s All-Lights Village project provides solar- powered lights to remote villages in the Philippines with limited access to electricity as part of a comprehensive community development program that includes education, clean water solutions and income generation.
GlobALS works with the Department of Education to extend education opportunities to out-of-school children, youths and other underserved populations.
GPF’s Character and Creativity Initiative seeks to make education more relevant in the twenty- first century by integrating character and creativity into all aspects of school culture.
“Hosting the 2017 Global Peace Convention in Manila is highly significant,” GPF international president James Flynn said.
“Southeast Asia is among the most dynamic and diverse regions on earth. And this year, the Philippines serves as chair of ASEAN, adopting the theme ‘Partnering for Change, Engaging the World.’ Representatives from more than 40 nations coming to GPC 2017 are ready and willing partners for positive change, and we will roll up our sleeves to achieve measurable progress in areas of education, economic opportunity, and positive youth engagement,” Flynn added.
The four- day convention includes the Global Youth Summit, a celebration of youth leadership; the One K Global Peace Concert 2017, part of the One K Global Campaign showcasing popular K- pop artists and Grammy Awardwinning producers in the cause for peaceful unification on the Korean peninsula; and the Global Peace Awards Gala, which honors outstanding government, civil society and faith leaders.
Since 2009, GPF has been exploring collaborative approaches to building social cohesion and sustainable development.