Students from Iraq, Ethiopia, and Lebanon Explore Empathy and Cooperation in Virtual Classroom
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), an international peace NGO under the UN ECOSOC, launched a metaverse-based peace education program to provide youth from conflict-affected regions with an interactive space for peace learning and dialogue.
Participants joined from Iraq, Ethiopia, Georgia, Lebanon, and Qatar—countries that continue to faced challenges such as ethnic conflict, political instability, and social division. Under the theme, “Consideration,” the program encouraged students to reflect on empathy and cooperation as foundations for peace in their communities.
Hosted through a metaverse platform, the program integrated immersive digital environments with educational content from HWPL’s official peace education curriculum. Students explored the HWPL Exhibition Hall, engaged in small-group discussions, and participated in the DPCW Peace Quiz, inspired by the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW).
Participants represented by custom avatars, exchanged views on coexistence and respect for diversity, demonstrating how technology can transform peace education into a global and participatory experience.
Dr. Musli Irwani, Professor at the American University of Iraq–Baghdad, shared his thoughts on the program:
“For many of our students, the idea of peace has often been discussed only in theory. Experiencing HWPL’s peace education in a virtual, collaborative space helps them see that mutual understanding and empathy are not abstract ideas—they are practical skills for rebuilding trust in divided communities.”
He added that initiatives like this “help bridge the gap between nations that have endured conflict by showing that peace education can be both inclusive and innovative though physically far apart.”
HWPL plans to expand its metaverse peace education model through MOUs with schools in Iraq, Lebanon, and North East Africa. The organization will also introduce multilingual virtual courses and host quarterly “Peace Learning Summits” empowering youth to lead their own metaverse-based peace classes.
