Professional Women in Washington, D.C. Offer Peacebuilding Strategies
- khwang562
- Sep 27
- 2 min read
Washington, D.C., United States – The global faith community is experiencing a rise in hostility toward religion and in gun violence, resulting in fear, hatred and division. To counter this hostile climate and affirm the moral and spiritual values shared by all faith communities, the Washington D.C. Office of UPF-USA invited a group of peacemakers to the Washington Times building on September 27, 2025.
The event marked the International Day of Peace, and adopted the UN theme for the day: “Act Now for a Peaceful World.” It featured six prominent women speakers, who stressed the role of women in creating a culture of peace. It also included interfaith prayers and cultural performances.
The distinguished program speakers emphasized the importance of fulfilling one’s dreams, hope for the future, and moving forward to a new chapter in building lasting peace.
Based on ideas and experiences shared in the meeting, the group identified strategies to promote unity, understanding, and peacebuilding across cultures and communities:
1. Encourage honest and transparent conversations about challenges, adversity, and differences.
2. Make use of music, arts, and collaborative cultural activities as platforms to promote understanding and create a culture of peace.
3. Initiate community-based programs – such as supporting marginalized women and advocating for mental health – by reaching out to those in need rather than waiting for them to seek help.
4. Offer educational programs that instruct youth in real-world skills and foster an entrepreneurial spirit to help them develop self-worth and purpose.
5. Create partnerships with organizations, faith groups, and community leaders who share similar beliefs and backgrounds.
6. Take concrete actions to confront human trafficking, support survivors, and challenge organizations or systems that perpetuate or overlook this practice.
7. Appreciate, encourage, and celebrate stories of survival, resilience, and transformation from all backgrounds.
8. Encourage personal growth and inner peace by fostering practices of self-reflection, faith, and healing, recognizing that the cultivation of inner peace is the first step towards global peace.
9. Advocate for distributive and procedural justice, which is integral to both peace and growth.
The speakers – all accomplished women – suggested that commitment to authentic engagement, community involvement, respect for diversity, and proactive outreach can lead to building a foundation of unity and peace across cultures and communities.
