– IPYG volunteers visit Waitangi to spread a culture of peace

Rangatahi volunteers from the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG) joined Waitangi Day celebrations on February 6, to spread a culture of peace and encourage big thinking through their Social Media Campaign, “The New Zealand That We Want.”

Every year on the 6th of February, the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 is commemorated through events all over the country, including at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds itself. The words “unity” and “peace” are not uncommon to hear through the Waitangi Day speeches as we continue to work towards upholding the principles of Aotearoa’s founding document.

The signing of Tiriti o Waitangi is a pivotal and defining moment in the history of Aotearoa, New Zealand. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in her 2020 Waitangi speech, “Waitangi is the place where we acknowledge our past. But it must also be the place where we challenge our present, but where we be collectively hopeful about our future”. The opening of the new Te Rau Aroha Museum of Waitangi also marked a significant moment of looking back on the history of those who have sacrificed so much for our nation.

In light of the efforts of all those who have fought for the peace of our nation in the past, through “The New Zealand That We Want” campaign, IPYG encourages people to dream big about the possibilities for the future of Aotearoa.

Through IPYG’s many conversations with young people of all demographics, one of the identified challenges in leading change has been to overcome fixed mind sets that it is “too hard”, I am “too young” or there are “too many barriers”. IPYG is encouraging young people to embrace the possibilities instead of focussing on the limitations, and aims to help make big ideas become reality in their upcoming initiatives for 2020.

This is part of a broader campaign by IPYG to spread a culture of peace around Aotearoa and beyond. Through the Legislate Peace Campaign, IPYG is urging people to show support for the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW). The campaign not only urges for passing of the DPCW as a draft resolution at the United Nations, but also demonstrates the values and the principles of the DPCW in practice through volunteering, events and projects which increase public awareness and action for peace.

Participants of “The New Zealand That We Want” campaign actualize the principles of article 10 of the DPCW, “spreading a culture of peace”.

These activities at Waitangi mark another step in a broader sustained effort by the energetic and passionate rangatahi working for peace this year. In 2020 IPYG is spreading peace and aroha across Aotearoa by delivering positive messages online and volunteering at the workshops and events in collaboration with the local communities, NGOs, and other civil society groups.

– content courtesy IPYG New Zealand