“Peace Is a Responsibility”

Bimal Deo, Walking the Path of Peace with HWPL in Lautoka, Fiji

 

In Lautoka, Fiji, one individual has consistently supported HWPL’s peace initiatives: Bimal Deo, Coordinator of Messengers of Peace and Senior Advisory Committee Member of HWPL Global Branch 11 in Fiji.

Based in Fiji’s Western Division, he has continued to lead peace education and community engagement initiatives. He has worked with various sectors of society, including government officials, educators, youth leaders, religious leaders, and NGOs, promoting programs such as peace drawing competitions, awareness campaigns for the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), and educational outreach.

 

 

Encountering HWPL and the Reason for His Participation

Coordinator Deo first came to know HWPL through the HWPL Peace Summit in Fiji, its international peace initiatives, and the work of peace volunteers. As he witnessed activities that brought communities together beyond differences in culture, religion, and nationality, he became deeply interested in HWPL’s vision.

Reflecting on what inspired him to become involved, he said, “HWPL’s sincere efforts to build sustainable peace through education, dialogue, and cooperation became a great motivation for me.”

As a Scout leader and a Messenger of Peace, the goals pursued by HWPL naturally aligned with the direction of his own work. For him, peace is not simply a slogan but a responsibility that individuals and communities must practice together.

 

Memorable Moments

Participating in peace dialogues and meetings alongside HWPL global volunteers from Korea, as well as government departments, local councils, educational leaders, and community stakeholders in Fiji, remains one of Coordinator Deo’s most memorable experiences. Seeing people from different backgrounds come together with the shared purpose of promoting peace left a lasting impression on him.

In particular, the peace drawing competition held with students was especially meaningful. He shared, “Children are the future ambassadors of peace. Helping them learn and express the values of peace from an early age is an important foundation for building sustainable peace.”

He also recalled that attending the HWPL World Peace Summit in Korea was one of the most memorable experiences of his life.

 

 

Peace Becomes a Way of Life

Despite his busy schedule, Coordinator Deo continues to support HWPL’s work for a clear reason. He says, “Peacebuilding is more than an activity; it is a responsibility.”

He believes that even one small act of peace can inspire understanding, respect, and harmony among people, and this conviction continues to motivate him. Having personally witnessed the positive changes that peace education and dialogue bring to individuals and communities, he remains committed to expanding these efforts.

Among HWPL’s core values and initiatives, the ones he resonates with most are peace education, interfaith harmony, youth empowerment, and the DPCW. He believes that helping young people learn the values of peace, respect, and coexistence is one of the most important foundations for achieving sustainable peace. He also strongly supports HWPL’s inclusive approach, which encourages leaders and citizens from every sector of society to participate together.

Through his work with HWPL, his understanding of peace and his perspective on life have deepened. While he once viewed peace primarily as the absence of conflict, he now sees it as a way of life rooted in mutual respect, understanding, cooperation, justice, and compassion.

Peace begins with individuals, families, schools, workplaces, and communities. It is a value that must be practiced and shared every day. This transformation has also influenced his personal life. Through his work with HWPL, he has developed stronger leadership, communication, and community engagement skills. By building relationships with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds, he has also cultivated greater patience, understanding, and a spirit of service.

 

 

Why More People Must Join Together

Looking ahead, Coordinator Deo plans to continue working with HWPL to expand peace education and community peace programs throughout Fiji while encouraging more young people to participate in peacebuilding efforts. To achieve this, he also hopes to strengthen cooperation with schools, local governments, and various institutions.

He emphasizes that peace cannot be achieved by a small number of people alone. At a time when the world faces conflict, division, violence, and misunderstanding, stronger communities built on respect, dialogue, and cooperation can only be created when more people work together.

Finally, he shared that the relationships he has built through HWPL with passionate peace advocates in Fiji and around the world—especially HWPL global volunteers from Korea—have been among the most meaningful experiences of his journey. Through these connections, he came to realize once again that peace is a universal language that unites humanity beyond borders and cultures.

This is the message Coordinator Bimal Deo shared for the future:

“Peace begins with each one of us. Through small acts of kindness, respect, dialogue, and understanding, we can create positive change in our homes, schools, communities, and nations. Together, we can leave peace as a legacy for the next generation. We are all Messengers of Peace, and we are one.”

His sincere efforts in Lautoka, Fiji, demonstrate how HWPL’s peace initiatives can take root and flourish within local communities. The unwavering dedication of one individual can inspire an entire community, creating a ripple effect that grows into a greater wave of peace.