Painting with desire of peace to heal scars of war

As Angel Bright Academy in South Sudan Opens Peace Painting with International Youth Peace Group

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) caused by brutal violence from war is not an unfamiliar word for South Sudanese. Those who survive from war still suffer from the bitter, tragic memories of losing families and friends. To provide an opportunity to cure the wounds and reconstruct peace in the community, African Inland Church (A.I.C.) secondary school in cooperation with International Youth Peace Group (IPYG) held a ìPeace Paintingî event on June 22 with 30 participants, including students and teachers.

One of the main participants, Emmanuel Lobijo Justine, Founder of Junub Open Space said: ìArts heal internally, and allow us to imagine deeply. Working collaboratively in order to make one piece makes us understand one another much better. The thing that I looked forward to at this event was discovering studentsí hidden talents and supporting them.

The event reminded people of harmony and coexistence in our global community, which are the core values that we as global citizens acquire through our lifetime. With the theme: ëArts to heal the scars of war and violence, we seek peacebuilding through developing peace as a culture, as designated in the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW).

IPYG advocates international network of and role of youth in peace-building, while recognising civic participation and contribution to global peace. Designating respect on international law, religious and ethnic freedom, and developing a culture of peace by citizen participation, DPCW addresses international cooperation for peace building.

Drafted by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), a UN ECOSOC-affiliated NGO, the DPCW is currently gaining support from civil society organisations and intergovernmental organisations.