Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Indonesia, through its Peace! Project initiative, continued its commitment to promoting peace, tolerance, and social cohesion by organising two meaningful activities in Jakarta and Semarang. Bringing together a total of 90 participants, these programs provided safe and engaging spaces for young people to experience diversity through direct interaction, dialogue, and community-based learning.
Participants of the Peace!Project event in Semarang
On June 7, 2026, Global Peace Youth Indonesia (GPYI) Semarang organised the Peace! Project: Sekolah Moderasi + Visit to Tay Kak Sie Temple at Komunitas Harapan, Semarang, with 65 participants. Through the Sekolah Moderasi (School of Moderation) program, children and young people learned about tolerance, respect for diversity, and the importance of building a culture of peace from an early age. The program featured interactive and enjoyable activities, including creative learning sessions, discussions, and collaborative games designed to encourage empathy, understanding, and appreciation of different backgrounds.
Participants of the Peace!Project event in Semarang
The program also included a visit to Tay Kak Sie Temple, where participants gained first-hand exposure to Indonesia’s rich religious and cultural diversity. By experiencing different traditions directly, participants were encouraged to develop greater respect and openness towards people of different beliefs. The activity reflected GPYI Semarang’s belief that peace is nurtured not only through discussion but also through sincere encounters that open hearts and minds to diversity.
Meanwhile, in Jakarta, the Peace! Project partnered with the Eden Community to organise an interfaith and cultural exchange program involving 25 participants. The activity created opportunities for meaningful conversations between participants and members of the Eden Community, enabling them to better understand one another through direct interaction rather than stereotypes or assumptions. Through open dialogue and shared experiences, participants explored the values of mutual respect, empathy, and peaceful coexistence.
One participant, Welly, shared how the program transformed his perspective:
“Before joining this visit, I had many misconceptions about the Eden Community. Meeting the community members directly changed my perspective and reminded me of the importance of learning through dialogue instead of assumptions. It was a truly eye-opening experience.”
Participants of the Peace!Project event in Semarang
The Jakarta program demonstrated how personal encounters can effectively break down prejudice and strengthen mutual understanding among people from different communities. By creating spaces for honest dialogue and cultural exchange, participants were encouraged to become ambassadors of peace within their own communities.
Through these initiatives in Jakarta and Semarang, the Peace! Project continues to demonstrate that sustainable peace begins with meaningful human connections. By empowering young people to embrace diversity, challenge prejudice, and build friendships across differences, Global Peace Foundation Indonesia remains committed to cultivating a generation of peacebuilders who contribute to a more inclusive, harmonious, and united Indonesia.
