“When you are 70, what words will be very important to you? For me, peace is very important,” Datuk Stella Chin, chairwoman of the women’s division of Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Malaysia, introduced the movement for Peace Begins in the Home, a women-led campaign to promote awareness of each family member’s value and responsibility to foster a culture of peace in the home environment.
As the most fundamental institution in society, the family environment and relationships can act as either a risk factor or a source of strength, support and inspiration for children as future leaders. This is why having a strong and healthy family foundation is so important.
On October 20, Global Peace Women (GPW) Malaysia launched the ‘Peace Begins in the Home’ movement in an effort to remind and empower parents to nurture qualities of respect and an attitude of service in their children. The event was officiated by the Deputy Minister of Education, Datuk Chong Sin Woon, who emphasized that real education should start from home. “Most of our people, leaders in the society, say that everything should start from school, which is not the right way,” he said, “The right way should be everything starts from home. It starts with a loving and caring family.”
A peaceful family and home is more likely to produce peace-loving adults than an unhappy home. In her opening remarks, Tan Sri Zaleha, chairwoman of GPF Malaysia, encouraged the building of strong nations through moral and innovative leadership. “For us parents who have children and people under our care, we must transmit values that ensure all of our future generations will become innovative, creative and moral leaders of the country. Strong nations are built upon strong, healthy families.”
At the launching event, the chairwoman of the women’s division of GPF Malaysia announced the first family workshop to be held under the ‘Peace Begins in the Home’ campaign entitled Family is the School of Love, which was held on November 4. Ms. Chin, who has more than 20 years of experience in training parents nationwide, ran the family workshop with Dr. Teh Su Thye, CEO of GPF Malaysia. The workshop focused on parenting tips and building stronger relationships.
“Let us all make a pledge today,” Ms. Tan Sri Zaleha urged, “That we will work hard in whatever way we can with whomever we can collaborate to ensure that we succeed in bringing peace in the home and spread the philosophy of family is the school of love.”