Seoul (TDI): The HWPL International Workshop on Peace Journalism Studies, hosted by the global peace NGO Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), gathered more than 200 participants from 50 countries for a timely dialogue on the role of journalism in advancing peace in an era of rapid digital transformation.
Held under the theme Transforming Conflict through AI and Cultural Understanding, the virtual workshop brought together journalists, scholars, and peace practitioners to explore how peace journalism can counter misinformation and promote conflict resolution in a technology-driven world.
A major focus of the event was the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and responsible journalism. Participants exchanged insights on how media professionals can ethically integrate AI tools into their reporting, while upholding the core journalistic principles of accuracy, fairness, and empathy.
The workshop also celebrated the release of the journal Peace Journalism Studies, which offers valuable case studies demonstrating how constructive reporting can foster cross-cultural understanding and support long-term peacebuilding efforts in conflict-prone regions.
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During the event, distinguished guests shared their message about the transformative power of peace journalism.
Berry Lwando, Director General of the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation, highlighted the media’s duty to promote dialogue over division, “in today’s fast-paced media landscape, what we choose to highlight matters. Peace journalism isn’t about ignoring conflict—it’s about framing it in ways that invite dialogue, not division. That’s a responsibility we carry.”
Noel Lipipa, Member of Parliament for Blantyre City South Constituency, Malawi, also addressed the participants, emphasizing the need for innovation in storytelling.
“I am inspired by the work being done to explore how AI and cultural understanding can help reshape how we tell stories and resolve conflict. The world needs more storytellers committed to peace.”
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The event further featured thought-provoking contributions from global media leaders, including:
- Garfield Burford (Director of News, Sports, and Current Affairs at ABS TV Radio, Antigua and Barbuda), who stressed the importance of evidence-based reporting and human empathy in the age of AI.
- Sijam Sinjali (CEO, Agleshwori Hills Development Trust, Nepal), who outlined peace journalism’s role in promoting non-violent conflict resolution and ethical storytelling.
- Musa Damao (Executive Director, Bangsamoro Dialogue for Peace and Justice, Philippines), who championed peace journalism as a tool supporting the Bangsamoro peace process and called for integrating peace education into school curricula.
- Josef Mühlbauer (CEO, Varna Institute for Peace Research, Austria), who highlighted open dialogue platforms such as the “Varna Peace Institute” podcast as key spaces for challenging divisive narratives.
- Tuty Purwaningsih (Director, Media Desa, Indonesia), who reflected on the role of media in promoting values like tolerance and empathy within families and communities.
The workshop underscored HWPL’s ongoing commitment to peace advocacy through journalism, especially aligning with Article 10 of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), which highlights the media’s responsibility to “spread a culture of peace.”
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The event concluded with a collective call for enhanced global cooperation between journalists, educators, and peacebuilders — aiming to strengthen ethical journalism that fosters understanding, promotes reconciliation, and advances a more peaceful world in the digital age.
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) is an international peace organization committed to promoting global harmony through advocacy, education, and dialogue.
HWPL’s projects, including the DPCW, seek to unite communities and nations under the banner of lasting peace.
Areeba Kanwal is a contributor at The Diplomatic Insight and has passion for International Relations and diplomacy.
