A peaceful show of force unfolded across central Melbourne as over 300 young people joined hands—literally and metaphorically—to walk and run in support of a global call for peace. Held on Saturday, 24 May, the youth-led “Melbourne Runs for Peace” event was part of a worldwide series of activities commemorating the 12th anniversary of the Declaration of World Peace, first announced in 2013 by the Chairman of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL).
This year’s Melbourne chapter transformed a global idea into a local moment, bringing together voices from across Victoria’s multicultural communities. The route stretched from the Edward VII Memorial through to the Alexandra Gardens, with cultural performances and community speeches marking key moments along the way. The event wasn’t about spectacle—it was about solidarity.
The streets echoed with chants and cheers as young participants, many from refugee backgrounds, walked side-by-side with peace advocates, women’s rights campaigners, interfaith leaders, and community elders. Each voice added weight to the message: peace starts in places like this, in events that invite dialogue, presence, and shared steps.
HWPL’s reach extends far beyond Victoria. With connections in over 105 countries, the organisation has spent the past decade pursuing peace not just through calls to action, but through agreements, educational programs, and legal frameworks. Its initiatives include youth-led campaigns, peace curricula, and efforts to build bridges between communities through interfaith work.
Yet it was Melbourne’s local textures that made this event resonate. The presence of the Chin-Myanmar, Hazara, Somali, Sudanese, Oromo, and Cambodian communities wasn’t incidental—it was central. Community leaders from these groups took the mic, their words layered with lived experience and a clear-eyed understanding of why peace must be worked for, not waited on.
The Sikh community, long known for its ethos of service, offered free food for participants, while traditional games and cultural performances reminded onlookers that peace isn’t merely about silence or ceasefires. It’s found in laughter, language, and shared meals.
As part of its continuing mission, HWPL Victoria says it will deepen partnerships forged through the Peace Run and expand its peace education work across schools and community hubs in the state. The group is particularly focused on empowering young people to become not just participants, but drivers of peacebuilding efforts.
The Declaration of World Peace was first read aloud at a peace walk in Seoul back in 2013. Since then, HWPL’s network has grown, and so has its ambition. From law reforms to grassroots events, the movement’s shape has shifted, but its direction remains unchanged: outward, inclusive, and intentional.
The Melbourne run, while modest in scale compared to some of HWPL’s global gatherings, was rich in spirit. And perhaps that’s the point. Peace isn’t always negotiated behind closed doors or drafted in bold fonts. Sometimes, it’s 300 people lacing up their shoes, holding placards, and walking together down Swanston Street because they believe the future deserves better than the past.
As one young participant said, “We’re not just running—we’re reminding ourselves that peace is something we have to keep chasing.”
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