On September 21, Liberia joined the global community in celebrating World Peace Day, an occasion marked by the Center for Peace Education (CPE) with a renewed call to action for peace and nonviolence. Dr. Mainlehwon Ebenezer Vonhm, Founder and Executive Director of CPE, highlighted that true peace is not just the absence of war but a deliberate choice to opt for understanding over violence every day.
The Center for Peace Education has been actively promoting peace across Liberia's war-affected communities for 17 years. Dr. Vonhm stated that the organization's mission has been to equip the youth with essential skills, attitudes, and moral knowledge to reject violence and embrace dialogue. This effort aims to build a society that values peace and nonviolence, especially in areas scarred by past conflicts.
According to Dr. Vonhm, recent months have seen Liberian students embracing the values of peace and nonviolence. Through various programs, students have learned the importance of mediation, negotiation, and active nonviolence. These skills are crucial in building a society where conflicts are resolved through dialogue rather than violence.
Dr. Vonhm emphasized that Liberian children are not just future leaders but are also the building blocks for sustainable peace in Liberia today. By equipping them with the skills to resolve conflicts peacefully, the nation secures its future. He noted that when children are taught to resolve conflicts with empathy and dialogue, it paves the way for a more harmonious and peaceful society.
On World Peace Day, celebrations were held in Brewerville, outside Monrovia, where students, parents, and teachers participated in a parade and an indoor program. During the event, students recited poems, performed dramas, and took the CPE peace pledge. The program also saw the awarding of the VON-VON Scholarship Award for the 2026-2027 school year to students Martha Quictal and Franklin Natt.
Recipients of the VON-VON Scholarship Award expressed their gratitude to Dr. Vonhm and the Center for Peace Education. Martha Quictal thanked Dr. Vonhm for helping reduce the financial burden on her parents and encouraged her colleagues to remain hopeful for future opportunities. The scholarships aim to support students in their academic pursuits and encourage them to be ambassadors of peace.
Dr. Vonhm's message on World Peace Day was one of hope and commitment to nurturing young peacemakers. He called for a recommitment to building a Liberia founded on justice, reconciliation, and lasting harmony for all. The Center for Peace Education continues to play a vital role in promoting peace and nonviolence across Liberia, and its efforts have been recognized as crucial in the nation's journey towards sustainable peace.
Key points
- Dr. Mainlehwon Ebenezer Vonhm emphasizes that true peace is a deliberate choice for understanding over violence.
- The Center for Peace Education has been promoting peace across Liberia's war-affected communities for 17 years.
- The organization aims to equip youth with skills to reject violence and embrace dialogue for sustainable peace.
