Expanding the Youth Engagement & Peacebuilding Working Group (YEPW) Activities across the IPYG Philippines branch

 

Young people are actively spreading a culture of peace throughout the Philippines. Since the signing of the Mindanao Peace Agreement on January 24, 2014, the IPYG Philippines branch has operated the Youth Engagement & Peacebuilding Working Group (YEPW), centered on young people, to facilitate broad youth participation in peacebuilding activities.

YEPW has been launched in four regions—Manila, Mindanao, Hinigaran, and Kawit, Cavite—to implement various peace projects. To date, over 8,900 young people have taken part.

 

1. Manila YEPW: Spreading a Culture of Peace through Art

 

Manila YEPW commenced full activities to mark the 9th Anniversary of the HWPL World Peace Summit on September 18, 2023. The Indayaw Dance Company of Signal Village National High School (SVNHS) raised funds for a peace monument through its “Dance for Cause” performance and unveiled the HWPL Peace Monument on January 19, 2024.

To promote peace culture locally, Manila YEPW regularly hosts dance competitions. In 2025, it will partner with youth organizations at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig—a public university in Pasig—to launch a joint peace campaign.

 

2. Mindanao YEPW: Environmental Stewardship through Religious Harmony

 

Mindanao YEPW continues its regular peacebuilding activities under the slogan “Let’s leave peace as a legacy for future generations,” centered on the Kutawato Greenland Initiatives (KGI). Christian and Muslim youth use peace camps to foster mutual cultural understanding and unity in their shared identity as young people.

Viewing environmental stewardship as fundamental to sustaining peace, Mindanao YEPW conducts regular “peace tree planting” events to protect mangrove ecosystems and “plogging” volunteer drives to pick up trash along rivers and coastlines.

 

3. Hinigaran YEPW: Peace Sports Competitions in Every Barangay

 

Launched in late 2024, Hinigaran YEPW collaborates with the government-affiliated Sangguniang Kabataan (SK Federation) to organize activities in each barangay. Under the slogan “Peace in my heart leads to peace for all,” youth regularly hold peace basketball and volleyball tournaments, upholding mutual respect and harmony.

 

4. Kawit, Cavite YEPW: HWPL Peace Education Alumni in Action

 

On January 24, 2025, in celebration of HWPL Peace Day, Peace Clubs were established at 13 schools in Kawit, Cavite. These clubs provide a platform for HWPL peace education graduates to translate their peace values into practical action. Meeting quarterly, they undertake joint projects both on and off campus.

YEPW in Kawit, Cavite, collaborates with these Peace Clubs to ensure that alumni continue peace initiatives within their communities after graduation.

The IPYG Philippines branch has also formed the HWPL Peace Committee, comprising key figures, with the Youth Peace Committee under its wing to drive national-level peace activities. Local YEPW representatives serve as committee members, and monthly meetings explore cooperation with regional youth groups, the operation of IPYG’s Youth Empowerment Peace Class (YEPC), and joint activity planning—maximizing synergy across youth working groups.

These initiatives have strengthened young people’s commitment and capacity for peacebuilding. IPYG plans to further expand YEPW’s global network and activities, fostering youth solidarity and cementing peace as an enduring legacy.