MONICA KAYOMBO/Zambia/Lusaka
THE international peace NGO Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) held the launch ceremony of the Peace Culture Center (PCC) on March 18 at Yotam Muleya Secondary School in Lusaka, Zambia. The school is one of 11 institutions designated as “HWPL Peace Academies” in Lusaka in April 2025 and serves as a representative model where peace education is being introduced into the public education system.
Approximately 2,000 participants, including the entire student body, attended the event. Key attendees included officials from the Office of the Vice President (National Guidance and Religious Affairs), the Lusaka District Education Standards Officer (DESO), and the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), as well as headteachers from 11 zonal schools in Lusaka, representatives of interfaith and Christian youth organizations, civil society groups in the fields of family, child, and youth development, parent and local government representatives, and members of the media, demonstrating strong interest and broad participation across sectors.
In his welcoming remarks, the principal of Yotam Muleya Secondary School stated, “This center will play an important role in helping students understand their own values, respect others, and foster a culture of peace within the school and the community.” He added, “Peace education is essential for young people to resolve conflicts peacefully and grow into responsible members of society.”
In a congratulatory address, Godfrey Kaoma, Assistant Director at the National Guidance and Religious Affairs (NGRA) under the Office of the Vice President, stated that “by equipping young people with values such as respect, tolerance, responsibility, and cooperation, we are laying a strong foundation for national unity and sustainable peace.” He emphasized the importance of youth-centered peace education in strengthening national values and fostering long-term stability.
The newly launched PCC will operate as a school-centered peace education platform involving students, teachers, and local communities. It will begin with a two-month pilot program at Yotam Muleya Secondary School and is expected to gradually expand to other schools across Lusaka. The program will be conducted in the form of peace clubs, with IPYG youth leaders and school teachers jointly delivering peace education activities. During the school holidays, a Peace Educator Training (PET) program will also be conducted for approximately 65 teachers, aiming to establish a sustainable, school-based peace education system.
In addition, the PCC project is being implemented based on collaboration among the education sector, government institutions, and religious communities. Building on its existing partnerships with the Lusaka education authorities and representative schools, HWPL signed an MOU with the Zambia Interfaith Networking Group (ZINGO) in February 2026. In March, it further expanded its cooperation by signing a tripartite MOU with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security (MOHAIS) and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD).
Through this project, HWPL expects to establish a peace education model that connects schools and local communities, thereby contributing to Zambia’s development as a leading country in Africa in terms of peace institutionalization and youth capacity building. In particular, the initiative aligns with the Zambian government’s national branding strategy, the “Brand Zambia Initiative,” which aims to strengthen national competitiveness by enhancing the country’s image based on peace, stability, and community values.
