YEPW in Atlanta Secures Resolution in City of South Fulton Through Play4Peace Project

 

 

Located in Fulton County, Georgia, the City of South Fulton is a rapidly growing community known for its rich diversity. With a large youth population, South Fulton has long recognized the importance of promoting peace and addressing the challenges faced by young people.

Against this backdrop, the Arrow International Youth Leadership Council and the IPYG Georgia branch established the Youth Engagement & Peacebuilding Working Group (YEPW) in Atlanta to advance youth-led and sustainable peace initiatives.

The YEPW in Atlanta subsequently launched the Play4Peace project to support local youth and citizens. The project aimed to empower young people as key actors in their communities by developing leadership skills, promoting the values of peace, and engaging in diverse activities to foster a culture of peace. Beyond these initiatives, the YEPW in Atlanta sought to institutionalize peace efforts. To this end, they held weekly planning meetings to design peace advocacy strategies and prepared policy proposals to submit to the local government.

At the heart of the Play4Peace project was the “Critical Community Conversation” held in January. Through this forum, young people met directly with city government officials to share the realities of their communities and appeal for the urgent need for peace. During the dialogue, the youth presented a draft resolution supporting the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW). The mayors of six cities, including South Fulton, were deeply moved by the sincerity of the youths’ voices.

 

 

Following this, city officials requested concrete measures to sustain the initiative, and the YEPW in Atlanta responded by developing the Play4Peace Toolkit, a practical guide designed for use across different regions. The toolkit provides a step-by-step framework for running the campaign, helping local areas apply the program in meaningful and effective ways.

With guidance from the HWPL Georgia branch, the YEPW in Atlanta formally submitted a resolution to the City of South Fulton. The resolution declared the city’s official support for the Play4Peace project and established a ”Peace Weekend” within South Fulton.

After being reviewed by the city council, the resolution was sponsored by two council members and passed unanimously. This symbolic action reflects the city’s strong commitment to advancing peace education, empowering youth leadership, and fostering community resilience.

On May 27, 2025, the City of South Fulton officially endorsed the youth-led peace project Play4Peace and proclaimed June 6–8 as the city’s “Peace Weekend.” The passage of this resolution is being recognized as a model case of real change achieved through collaboration among youth, civil society, and local government.

Looking ahead, the YEPW in Atlanta plans to expand the Play4Peace project across Fulton County, the largest jurisdiction in Georgia. This expansion is expected to serve as a foundation for embedding a culture of peace throughout broader communities.