Windhoek, Aug 16 — The spirit of peace and creativity lit up the evening of 12 August 2025 at Moses Van Der Byl
Primary School in Windhoek during the Loving Peace Arts Competition Exhibition, hosted by International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) Namibia in collaboration with the Moses Van Der Byl Primary school. The event formed part of the school’s parent meeting program and marked a joyful celebration of International Youth Day, recognizing the power of young voices in promoting peace.
In celebration of this global day dedicated to uplifting and empowering youth, the event offered a platform for children to express their vision of peace through art. Colourful and meaningful artworks lined the exhibition tables, reflecting the hopes and imaginations of learners who are growing into the next generation of peace advocates. Nine outstanding learners were awarded prizes for their submissions, with loud cheers and applause from proud parents and school staff.
The principal of Moses Van Der Byl Primary School commended the initiative, describing it as “excellent” and expressing hope that at least one of the learners might go on to receive recognition at the international level. More importantly, he emphasized the value of the experience, noting that participating in the exhibition had taught learners to strive for their best. He also addressed an ongoing concern at the school, bullying and fighting among learners, urging parents to work alongside the school to build a more respectful and peaceful environment.
Although several high-level representatives from government ministries were invited, including from the Ministry of Gender and the Ministry of Education, Arts Department, they were unable to attend due to scheduling and logistical constraints. However, both ministries expressed strong interest in future collaboration, with Ms. Garises from the Arts Department requesting a detailed report and encouraging IWPG to expand the initiative next year.
Despite the event’s timing and outdoor setup, which limited engagement opportunities with some late-arriving parents, two mothers signed up as new IWPG members. Their participation represents the growing impact of IWPG’s work in Windhoek and the potential to build stronger community involvement through peace education and family engagement.
About the Hosts
International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) is a global women-led NGO headquartered in South Korea, committed to advancing peace through the empowerment and education of women and children. Through advocacy, peace education, and initiatives like the Loving Peace Arts Competition, IWPG cultivates future generations of peace messengers and
strengthens global solidarity.
Moses Van Der Byl Primary School is a public institution in Windhoek dedicated to nurturing learners academically, socially, and emotionally. The schoolworks actively with parents and partners to create a safe, inclusive learning environment that promotes values of respect, unity, and growth.
As Namibia joined the world in celebrating International Youth Day, the Loving Peace Arts Exhibition served as a meaningful reminder of the importance of uplifting young voices and encouraging them to shape a more peaceful future, one brushstroke at a time.
