Dubai: The International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) Global Region 2 office, in collaboration with the Colombian Council of Nonprofit Organizations (COLCES), hosted the “2026 International Forum for Youth and Women Leading the Future” in an online session held on May 20.
The forum was jointly organized to promote sustainable social transformation through cooperation between youth and women, while expanding international networks focused on education and leadership development.
According to organizers, more than 1,000 participants from South Korea, Colombia, Latin America and other countries joined the virtual event, reflecting strong global engagement.
COLCES, an international cooperation network that includes educational institutions, researchers, civil society organisations and women leaders across South America, focuses on educational innovation, leadership development, social advancement and multicultural exchange programmes aimed at sustainable development.
In his opening remarks, COLCES President José Enov Cano Mora said international cooperation based on education and leadership can act as a catalyst for global change, adding that COLCES is strengthening its role as a platform linking education with social development.
Discussions during the forum covered topics including women’s leadership, education, access to technology, emotional recovery and community solidarity. Colombian journalist and professor Carolina Miranda highlighted the importance of human-centred leadership, saying technology and international cooperation can contribute to peacebuilding and sustainable transformation.
Participants engaged actively through live discussions and chat sessions, emphasizing the need to strengthen youth and women’s capacities, promote educational cooperation and support community resilience.
Representatives from COLCES said the forum helped enhance mutual understanding between participants from different countries and could serve as a foundation for future collaboration centred on women, youth and local communities.
IWPG Global Director Seo Yeon Lee said the event went beyond traditional international exchange and created a platform connecting women and youth across borders, expressing hope for continued cooperation toward sustainable peace initiatives.
The IWPG Global Region 2 office said it plans to further expand its global peace network through educational programmes, leadership training and international partnerships.
IWPG is an international NGO registered with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the UN Department of Global Communications, and South Korea’s Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. It operates through multiple global branches and partner organisations across more than 120 countries, focusing on peacebuilding initiatives involving women and youth.
