WFWPI General Assembly 2024 Recap

Written by: Mion Tsuchiaka

On September 14, the Women’s Federation for World Peace International (WFWPI) held its General Assembly online via Zoom and YouTube. Hosted by Mrs. Lorna Sabas, the Regional Secretary General for the WFWP Asia Pacific 2 Region, the assembly brought together more than 400 WFWP leaders, members, and friends from around the world for a day filled with inspiration, learning, and collaboration.

The event kicked off with welcoming remarks from Dr. Paris Moon, International Secretary General of WFWP, who set an encouraging tone for the assembly. Following, Mrs. Moriko Hori, the International President, offered her own warm welcoming address, outlining the goals and vision for the event and encouraging the participants to continue educating women and children in every corner of the world.

A key highlight of the opening session was the announcement of Dr. Julia Moon as the newly appointed President Emerita. This prestigious role acknowledges Dr. Moon’s exceptional leadership and contributions during her tenure as International President. Mrs. Hori elaborated on this honor and presented Dr. Moon with the official certificate, marking a significant moment for the organization.

Participants then engaged in a dynamic Meet & Greet session, where they were randomly grouped to connect with colleagues and friends from around the globe. This informal session provided a valuable opportunity for networking and sharing personal updates, enhancing the sense of global community among attendees.

The assembly continued with insightful presentations aimed at strengthening leadership and advocacy skills. Dr. Paris Moon delivered a compelling lecture on “Empowering Women in Leadership,” offering valuable perspectives on fostering leadership among women.

Following Dr. Moon, attendees enjoyed a captivating piano performance titled "Dedication" by Sharon Chou. This piece, composed by Dr. Tzu-Chin Hsu and premiered by the talented Ms. Chiao-Han Liao, highlighted the rich artistic contributions within the WFWP community.

Mrs. Merly Barlaan, Chief Administrative Officer at the WFWP UN Office in New York, then presented on “Implementing Impactful Advocacy,” providing practical strategies for effective advocacy work and a brief on the Summit of the Future and the 79th UN General Assembly.
A brief 10-minute break allowed participants to reflect on the presentations and refresh themselves before diving into the next segment of the program.


The second part of the assembly focused on “Best Practices from the Field,” where presidents from three WFWP chapters shared their experiences and insights. These presentations provided practical examples and inspired attendees with actionable ideas for their own local projects.

Mrs. Gwendoline Tshimbana from WFWP South Africa presented innovative approaches from her chapter. Launched in 2022, WFWP South Africa’s project addresses COVID-19’s impact on education in underserved areas. Initially planned as a mobile library, it shifted to using local school classrooms due to logistical challenges. Achievements include book distribution, design with kids project where students build their play areas, boosting creativity, and character education workshops, helping teens develop leadership skills. This initiative has improved student attendance and community engagement, aligning with SDGs on poverty eradication, zero hunger, and good health. 

Mrs. Mitty Tohma of WFWP UK offered valuable lessons from her chapter’s activities: Young Women’s Speech Contest. Originating from WFWP Japan, the speech contest has been a flagship educational program in the UK since 2015. The contest has grown significantly, with themes evolving each year from “Women and Their Role in Society” to “Women in Leadership Achieving Equality in a Post-COVID-19 World.” The program aims to build young women’s leadership skills, confidence, and public speaking abilities while aligning with UN SDGs. Finalists participate in annual networking, mentorship, and internship opportunities, and alumni are encouraged to become community leaders. One notable outcome from the 2023 contest is the partnership with the University of Greenwich International in London, following a contestant’s inspiration to incorporate her experience and the theme into her thesis. 

Mrs. Rosetta Conti from WFWP Argentina shared effective strategies and successful initiatives on climate action, “Environmental Guardians: A Collaborative Initiative.” From March to October 2022, WFWP Argentina and Chacras de Buenos Aires launched the project to promote sustainable living. The project included creating organic vegetable gardens, teaching healthy eating and recycling, and empowering women with circular economy practices. Initially targeting mothers and later expanding to local school teachers, the project faced some delays but ultimately succeeded in engaging 26 mothers and 20 teachers. It fostered hands-on learning in organic farming, recycling, and solar energy use, benefiting the community and promoting environmental stewardship. 

The assembly concluded with closing remarks from Mrs. Moriko Hori, who reflected on the event’s discussions and the collective progress made. 

Excitingly, an announcement was made about the upcoming “WFWPI Global Vision Summit 2024,” scheduled for September 27 and 28. This virtual summit will focus on promoting environmental awareness, empowering women in leadership, and cultivating future leaders through a series of engaging sessions and workshops. 

As the General Assembly drew to a close, Mrs. Lorna Sabas expressed gratitude to all participants for their involvement and contributions. The event was marked by a deep sense of unity and commitment to advancing the goals of the WFWP.