ToleRun2025
What if peacebuilding could be an exciting journey of discovery, teamwork, and service? Too often, peacebuilding is seen only as high-level negotiations, political processes, or responses to conflict. While those efforts are vital, peacebuilding is also about the everyday choices and actions that foster unity, understanding, and cooperation in society. For Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Indonesia, peacebuilding begins with empowering young people to experience diversity in creative, practical, and transformative ways. This vision has come to life through the Peace!Project, a youth-led initiative rooted in Pancasila principles that empowers youth with leadership skills, values of service, integrity, resilience, and the belief that all people are part of One Family under God.
The Peace!Project challenges misconceptions by showing that peacebuilding can be dynamic, fun, and hands-on. It brings together youth from different religions, cultures, and communities to engage in activities that build respect, empathy, and teamwork. Rather than limiting peace to an abstract concept, the initiative makes it tangible, whether through planting mangroves to protect the environment, exploring interfaith traditions, or solving riddles that can only be cracked when people cooperate. Through these experiences, young Indonesians discover that peace is not passive; it is active and participatory.
This year, July was filled with meaningful activities that gave young people opportunities to grow as leaders and peace ambassadors. The journey began in Jakarta with a volunteer onboarding session, followed by a bonding session that emphasized trust-building and unity. It was a chance to strengthen the foundation of teamwork needed for future projects. As volunteer Rere Pahlevi reflected, “It gave me the chance to get closer to other volunteers, especially the new ones. Sharing laughter, stories, and activities reminded me why I love being part of this community.”
In the same month, in Semarang, youth visited Kampung Pancasila, a neighborhood known for its interfaith harmony. Participants toured churches and temples, engaging directly with community leaders who shared how tolerance and cooperation are lived out daily. For Kana Indika Wibowo, the experience was inspiring: “I’m really satisfied that I finally got the chance to be part of this initiative; it was meaningful and inspiring.”
At the same time, in Tangerang, another group of volunteers joined “Restoration for Peace” at Pulau Cangkir, where they planted 1,000 mangrove seedlings. This environmental action linked sustainability to peace, reminding youth that caring for the planet is also part of building a secure and prosperous future. Alvi from Yayasan ARKAN expressed, “Our country is an archipelago, and we’ve already lost many islands. I felt very excited and grateful to be part of this activity. It’s one of the ways we can help protect the earth, especially in coastal areas.”
The July programs concluded in Surabaya with a reading circle and peace talk at Ekspresi Park. Participants engaged with literature and dialogue to reflect on empathy, respect, and the role of listening in peacebuilding. Rizky, one of the attendees, shared: “I realized how important it is to really listen, observe, and try to understand others before making judgments. That’s the true beginning of peace.”
These July events set the stage for August’s flagship Peace!Project: ToleRun 2025, held on August 23 at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah in Jakarta. Fifty youth from different faiths and regions came together for an interfaith exploration challenge, visiting houses of worship, cultural landmarks, and traditional houses, while solving creative riddles and tasks. What began as a game became a powerful lesson in tolerance and teamwork. As participant Aditya Ozap explained, “I joined because I was interested in the game concept, but it turned out to be a much deeper experience. It felt both enjoyable and eye-opening.”
The highlight of ToleRun was the collective assembly of the “Nusantara Peace Message” puzzle by the lake, symbolizing unity across Indonesia’s diversity. The event concluded with fellowship and a drone show, leaving participants inspired to carry the values of tolerance and collaboration into their daily lives.
Together, the July and August Peace! Projects show how GPF Indonesia is reframing peacebuilding for the next generation; not as something abstract, but as something young people can live, practice, and celebrate. By combining interfaith leadership, family-like bonds among participants, and a culture of service, the initiative nurtures leaders who can shape Indonesia’s vision of Indonesia Emas 2045. Through these experiences, youth are learning that peace thrives in the presence of respect, cooperation, and shared responsibility. In making peace practical, fun, and transformative, GPF Indonesia is cultivating a generation of ambassadors who will carry forward the work of unity and dialogue, ensuring that peace becomes a lived reality for communities across Indonesia.
Learn more Indonesia | Global Peace Foundation
