The Global Peace Foundation (GPF) and supporting partners announced the convening of an international peace assembly in Manila, “Moral and Innovative Leadership: New Models for Peace and Development,” to explore collaborative approaches to building social cohesion and sustainable development.
The February 28–March 3 convention at the Marriott Manila will engage experts and field representatives in diverse convention tracks including Youth Leadership and Service, Transforming Education, Korean Unification, Interfaith Peacebuilding, Women’s Leadership Culture, and Economic and Business Forums.
Manila hosted the first Global Peace Convention in 2009, and in the years following the Global Peace Foundation has launched a range of education, environmental, youth and community development initiatives in the Philippines emphasizing universal principles and shared values as a basis for peace and greater prosperity.
Among many projects, GPF’s All-Lights Village project provides solar-powered lights to remote villages in the Philippines with limited access to electricity as part of a comprehensive community development program that includes education, clean water solutions and income generation. GlobALS works with the Department of Education to extend education opportunities to out-of-school children, youths and other underserved populations. GPF’s Character and Creativity Initiative seeks to make education more relevant in the twenty-first century by integrating character and creativity into all aspects of school culture.
“Hosting the 2017 Global Peace Convention in Manila is highly significant,” said GPF International President James Flynn. “Southeast Asia is among the most dynamic and diverse regions on earth. And this year, the Republic of the Philippines serves as chair of ASEAN, adopting the theme ‘Partnering for Change, Engaging the World.’ Representatives from more than 40 nations coming to GPC 2017 are ready and willing partners for positive change, and we will roll up our sleeves to achieve measurable progress in areas of education, economic opportunity, and positive youth engagement.”
The four-day convention will include the Global Youth Summit, a celebration of youth leadership; the One K Global Peace Concert 2017, part of the One K Global Campaign showcasing popular K-pop artists and Grammy Award-winning producers in the cause for peaceful unification on the Korean peninsula; and the Global Peace Awards Gala, which honor outstanding government, civil society and faith leaders.
The Global Peace Foundation is a global movement of committed peace-builders working in partnership with people of all faiths, races and cultural backgrounds, based on shared principles, values and aspirations. The Global Peace Convention is a preeminent, world-level platform to share best practices and develop collaborative strategies in areas of education, health care, community-based development, and conflict resolution.