An Online Peace Educator Training Program was held from June 28 to August 9, taking place every Saturday across six sessions. The program brought together 94 educators and organizational leaders from seven countries: Burundi, Cameroon, India, Rwanda, Sudan, South Sudan, and Timor-Leste. The participation of education professionals from multiple regions and continents highlights that peace education is emerging as a global trend that transcends national boundaries.
Participants acknowledged the need for peace education into their national education systems and, in collaboration with HWPL(Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light), engaged in demonstrations of the 12 units of HWPL’s Peace Textbook. Participants also attended a special lecture titled “The Role of a Peace Teacher.” Through lectures, Q&A sessions, and weekly assignments, they strengthened their understanding, with the special lecture providing an opportunity to reaffirm their values and responsibilities as educators.
Mapet Machol Majak, Coordinator of Mission Empowering Africa in South Sudan, said, “It was a meaningful day where I could learn ways to advance peace in different parts of the world. Through this training, I came to understand what is needed for peace and will work to put it into practice in South Sudan. I was reminded once again that peace does not belong to one person alone, but to all of us.”
In Timor-Leste, the Ministry of Higher Education coordinated the participation of 21 representatives — including presidents, vice presidents, and professors — from eight higher education institutions. The country’s education sector expects the training to help lay the foundation for the institutional integration of peace education into higher education curricula.
Marcolino Gomes, Professor and Lecturer of Pastoral Theology at Timorese Catholic University (UCT), said, “It was a systematic and comprehensive curriculum with global recognition. I gained values and practical methods for achieving peace and developed the capacity to teach peace to students.”
Fredricka Yula, a teacher at the National Bilingual College Souza in Cameroon, said, “Through this training, I came to understand that peace is not only a global goal but also begins with personal actions such as respect, sacrifice, love, forgiveness, understanding, and good manners. I am grateful to have taken part in this program with HWPL.”
Graduates of the program plan to apply peace education in their schools and communities and to promote it through international cooperation. HWPL stated that it will continue to support these efforts by providing resources and networks tailored to each country’s educational context.