Romanian MasterPeace Youth Delegation Visits Korea
A 4-Night, 5-Day Cultural and Peace Exchange Program Successfully Concludes
A youth delegation from MasterPeace, a global peace network based in Romania, successfully completed a 4-night, 5-day cultural and peace exchange program in Korea from November 8 to 12. This visit was carried out based on cooperation between MasterPeace, HWPL, and IPYG, with the aim of strengthening youth-led international peace networks.
MasterPeace is a Romanian youth organization actively engaged in culture-based peace initiatives at the local level. Following a virtual meeting with Korean partners in June, this in-person visit marked a significant step toward concretizing sustainable and long-term cooperation. An HWPL representative stated, “This program began through the voluntary and proactive participation of youth organizations from different countries, and we aim to develop it into a model case for cultural and peace exchange.”
During their stay, the delegation visited Seoul and Incheon, where they experienced Korea’s cultural heritage and observed youth-led peace activities firsthand. They explored traditional cultural sites such as Gyeongbokgung Palace and Insadong, and participated in a Korea–Romania Youth Cultural Exchange Session held at Inha University, engaging in discussions with Korean youth on themes of peace and culture. In a workshop with IPYG, participants analyzed key environmental factors influencing peace activities in Romania, including the media and public opinion landscape, government and policy environments, and levels of civic and peace awareness. Based on this analysis, the groups discussed practical strategies for future peace cooperation.
As a result of the exchange, IPYG and MasterPeace proposed the establishment of a Youth Empowerment Working Group (YEPW) as a future collaboration model. The two organizations agreed to strengthen their cooperative network by holding the working group quarterly, four times per year, creating opportunities to expand exchanges with youth organizations from diverse regions.
Bratu Catinca, a MasterPeace youth member who participated in the program, shared, “I hope to return to Romania with the experiences I gained in Korea and continue to cooperate even more actively.” Another participant, Alesia Marin, commented, “I will share my experiences in Korea with my friends and colleagues back home, and I hope our organization can further strengthen its cooperation with IPYG.”
As the need for peace and social integration continues to grow in Romania and across Eastern Europe, this Korea–Romania youth exchange is being recognized as a meaningful example of peace promotion rooted in cultural understanding. Looking ahead, HWPL and IPYG plan to continue expanding their activities by connecting with youth organizations in even more regions around the world.
