Content Writer 
(Jakarta, 24–25/10/2025) – UNESCO Jakarta successfully hosted the Regional Meeting on Education for Sustainable Peace in Southeast Asia at JS Luwansa Hotel. The two-day event gathered youth advocates, educators, and representatives from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Timor-Leste, South Korea, and Germany. They worked together to strengthen education-based strategies against hate speech and conflict.
ith IYF representatives Elricha and Secia.
Regional Meeting on Education for Sustainable Peace in Southeast Asia
Elricha represented IYF on Day 1
IYF youth advocates Elricha Nafisa Joemardi (Icha) joined the first day of the Regional Meeting on Education for Sustainable Peace. The session explored the 2023 UNESCO Policy Recommendation as a framework to advance education and sustainable peace. It brought together students, educators, diplomats, and university stakeholders from across Southeast Asia.
Discussions highlighted the importance of supportive learning environments, teacher welfare, and international collaboration to address the root causes of conflict and promote social development. Experiences shared by speakers from Timor Leste and lecturers from Universitas Gadjah Mada emphasized progress in regional education systems as well as ongoing challenges, particularly concerning teacher well-being and economic support.
Reflecting on her experience, Icha said: “Attending this session helped me realize how education can be a transformative tool for peace. It’s not just about learning knowledge, but also about creating the right environment and support for teachers and students to thrive.” She expressed gratitude for the opportunity and affirmed her commitment to supporting similar initiatives in the future.
Secia represented IYF on Day 2
On the second day, attended by Secia Lie, the focus shifted to peacebuilding and education. Secia highlighted the relevance of the topics to current regional challenges and the opportunity for youth to contribute meaningfully. “In my opinion, this regional meeting will benefit all key roles and stakeholders in the journey of peacebuilding,” she said. “From the sessions and presentations, it was evident that context-specific approaches, faculty readiness, and international collaboration are essential for sustainable peace.”
Both attendees observed that youth engagement must go beyond tokenism and that collaboration across states and institutions is crucial. Timor Leste was highlighted as a positive example of proactive efforts in implementing peace education. Secia expressed optimism about the future, noting, “It will take time and effort, but seeing the strong willingness for change and integration of peace in education gives me hope. Youth involvement is crucial, as they are the ones who will carry forward these actions.”
The meeting concluded by reaffirming the role of multi-stakeholder collaboration in advancing sustainable peace. “The experience was eye-opening and inspiring. I am committed to continue contributing to peacebuilding and education,” Secia said.
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