2017 PPSEAWA Taiwan Peace Day Commemoration Report

Thanks to PPSEAWA International Peace Ambassador, Ravesi Johnston. She reminded NMOs (National Member Organizations) to plan a PEACE Day Program on September 11th, 2017 and sentour UN Rep Kesinee Dulyarat’s UN new post on Peace Day.

As UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ speech on September 19, 2017 said “UN stresses importance of education in building culture of peace”. As the matter of fact, president Regina Chen from PPSEAWA Taiwan has already known that the Pan Pacific and Southeast Asia Women’s Association (PPSEAWA) is the only international women's organization devoted to families, peace and understanding in the Pacific and Southeast Asia. In addition, during the past four years, one of the PPSEAWA Taiwan’s major projects is to train young volunteers to involve into international affairs.

Therefore, she had organized a two-day young volunteers training program for the 2019 International Conference on August 31stto September 1st, 2017. The co-organizer was the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A total of 39 university or graduate school students participated the training program.

President Regina Chen mentioned that the UN International Day of Peace is on the September 21 of every year. The 2017 theme is “Together for Peace, Respect Safety and Dignity for All”.

She also mentioned that PPSEAWA International Day of Peace as a normal annual event since the 2000 PPSEAWA International Conference in Rarotonga Cook Islands when Eleitino Paddy Walk was appointed as the first PPSEAWA International Peace Ambassador. There is a Paddy’s Peace Garden at Taputapuatea, downtown Rarotonga of Cook Islands.

However, the Peace Garden in PPSEAWA Malaysia was incepted on 31st August 1977 under the patronage of Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah Mohamed Ali. A total 26 countries participated with each country planting a tree in the garden.

The young volunteer training program had planned one and half hour session to introduce PPSEAWA International and PPSEAWA Taiwan. Professor Jessie Chen, Dr. Mandy Chen, Secretary general Helen Yang and student member Yamada Wong were the four speakers. Both Mandy and Helen also mentioned that the NMOs from PPSEAWA International share peace in the family and in the world. As UN Secretary-General Antonio said “We are in a world in pieces, we need to be a world at peace” How to repair “world in pieces” and create world in Peace?

President Regina pointed out: “Sisters from PPSEAWA Taiwan would like to contribute their efforts to establish families and society in harmony and stability.”