Global organisation to stage Caribbean peace walk virtually

An international non-profit peace organization which says it has more than 175 chapters worldwide will host a virtual peace walk for the Caribbean on June 3, from 12:00-1.30 p.m.

The Washington branch of the organisation, Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light’s (HWPL’s), said in a release that the virtual walk is part of a global event.

More than 30,000 participants have previously taken part in HWPL’s Peace Walk which had such speakers as Guyana’s prime minister, Mark Phillips; Antigua and Barbuda’s prime minister, Gaston Browne and Dominica’s Minister for Education, Human Resource Planning and Vocational Training, Octavia Alfred, the organisation’s release said.

It said the keynote speaker at this year’s event will be Minister of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment of Barbados, Charles Griffith.

Political leaders, peace advocates, and HWPL representatives from across the Caribbean are also expected to be in the spotlight. The purpose of the annual peace walk is to encourage and empower the future generation to speak up for peace. Youth will share heartfelt speeches and stories amongst one another of how they’ve cultivated a culture of peace within their communities. Additionally, various groups will represent their countries with messages of hope, chants, songs, and cheers for peace, the HWPL release said.

HWPL, said peace is much more than the absence of war; it is about creating change within a person and once a person acquires the right heart, knowledge, and skills they can do anything – including building a lasting culture of peace.

HWPL believes that if the seed of peace is planted into one’s heart and mind, it has the opportunity to grow into a person who chooses peace over violence and division. The virtual walk will be via the zoom platform.