Paraguay’s Chamber of Deputies Supports HWPL’s Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)
Everyone hopes for a world without war, but when we think about how to make that hope a reality, it can be difficult to know where to begin.
Even today, conflicts and tensions continue in many parts of the world.
As a result, peace can sometimes feel like a distant and abstract ideal.
Then, in July 2025, another step toward peace was taken in a South American country.
The Chamber of Deputies of Paraguay adopted Declaration No. 1106 in support of HWPL’s Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW).
What does it mean when a national legislature officially endorses principles of peace?
Of course, a declaration alone cannot bring wars to an end, but it is worth noting that principles of peace can serve as a starting point for public discussion and cooperation.
What meetings and collaborative efforts led to this declaration?
And what will it take for commitments to peace to translate into real change?
Let’s take a closer look at how these efforts unfolded, step by step.
🌍 Paraguay’s Chamber of Deputies Adopts a Declaration Supporting the DPCW
On July 29, 2025, the Chamber of Deputies of Paraguay adopted Declaration No. 1106 in support of HWPL’s Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW).
The declaration recognizes the DPCW’s principles of peace and global harmony, stating that they align with Paraguay’s constitutional values and its international obligations regarding human rights and international humanitarian law.
It also refers to the earlier endorsement of the DPCW by the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (PARLATINO).
One particularly noteworthy aspect is that the declaration went beyond simply expressing support.
The Chamber of Deputies also expressed its intention to raise awareness of the DPCW among relevant national institutions and multilateral organizations and promote its active consideration.
Of course, parliamentary support does not automatically bring wars to an end or mean that a legally binding international treaty has been concluded.
Nevertheless, its significance lies in bringing the principles of peace into official parliamentary discussions and potentially encouraging further consideration and cooperation among relevant institutions.
So, where did these efforts begin?
🤝 A Connection That Began in Cheongju, South Korea
The story began not in South America, but in Cheongju, South Korea.
On March 14, 2025, Cheongju hosted a ceremony commemorating the ninth anniversary of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW).
Carlos Núñez Salinas, a member of Paraguay’s Chamber of Deputies and vice president of PARLATINO, attended the event and engaged with various leaders.
Javier Esquivel, who heads Paraguay’s Public Defender’s Office, and Avelina Torres Villalba, chair of the Judicial Council of the Supreme Court, also expressed their shared commitment to peace.
What is noteworthy is that connections made at a peace event in South Korea later led to cooperation for peace in Paraguay.
This shows how people from different countries can work together around a shared commitment to peace, despite differences in language and national borders.
These exchanges soon led to a resolution by a regional organization and practical cooperation with public institutions in Paraguay.
🕊 From PARLATINO’s Endorsement to Cooperation in Paraguay
On June 5, 2025, PARLATINO, the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament, adopted a resolution supporting the DPCW.
PARLATINO is a regional organization that promotes cooperation among legislatures across Latin America and the Caribbean.
The resolution was significant not only because it expressed support for the principles of the DPCW, but also because it encouraged the parliaments of member countries to expand discussions on the DPCW at the national level.
This regional momentum soon led to concrete developments in Paraguay.
Vice President Carlos Núñez Salinas helped build connections between HWPL and Paraguay’s Public Defender’s Office.
On July 8, 2025, HWPL signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Paraguay’s Public Defender’s Office, represented by Minister Javier Esquivel, establishing a framework for cooperation on peace-related activities.
The following day, July 9, both sides participated in a backpack donation initiative, supporting the local community through an act of generosity.
On the same day, HWPL representatives visited Paraguay’s Chamber of Deputies in the capital, Asunción, where they held in-depth discussions on peace initiatives and the DPCW with Raúl Latorre, President of the Chamber of Deputies, and Vice President Carlos Núñez Salinas.
Just a few weeks later, on July 29, the Chamber of Deputies adopted the declaration supporting the DPCW.
In this way, exchanges that began in Cheongju, a regional resolution, and cooperation with public institutions all came together as part of a broader process.
📖 What Is the DPCW?
This raises an important question: What exactly is the DPCW, and what principles does it outline?
The Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) is a peace declaration that HWPL has been promoting.
Its purpose is to provide the international community with principles and a framework for action to prevent war and establish lasting peace.
Here is a closer look at its key principles.
1. Preventing War and Resolving Conflicts Peacefully
Rather than focusing solely on repairing the damage caused by armed conflict, the aim is to prevent disputes from escalating into war and establish ways to resolve them through dialogue.
2. Protecting Human Rights and Human Dignity
Even when the interests of nations or groups conflict, protecting human life and dignity must remain the highest priority.
3. International Cooperation
Peace cannot be achieved by any one country alone. Governments, international organizations, and civil society must work together to turn their shared commitment into action.
The declaration by Paraguay’s Chamber of Deputies is meaningful because it officially endorsed the spirit and principles of the DPCW.
An important challenge moving forward will be how relevant institutions incorporate these principles into actual policies and institutional frameworks.
🎒 Peace Can Also Be Learned in Everyday Life
The parliamentary declaration is not the only noteworthy aspect of this story.
HWPL and Paraguay’s Public Defender’s Office also worked together on community service activities, including a backpack donation initiative.
When we think of international peace, we often picture diplomatic meetings or agreements between nations.
However, the process of building a peaceful society is also closely connected to our daily lives.
Listen attentively: Listen to others without interrupting them at school or in the workplace.
Embrace differences: Avoid rejecting people simply because they hold different opinions.
Choose dialogue: When conflicts arise, make an effort to resolve them through conversation rather than force or emotional reactions.
These are all practical ways to put peace into action in our everyday lives.
For those raising or teaching children, it is worth asking whether simply telling them, “Don’t fight,” is really enough.
When children receive peace education that teaches them to respect differences and resolve conflicts wisely through dialogue, they can experience peace firsthand.
Although national peace initiatives and everyday peace education operate on different scales, they share the same goal: creating a warmer society free from violence.
🌏 What Happens After a Declaration Matters Even More
The declaration by Paraguay’s Chamber of Deputies in support of the DPCW serves as a notable example of how discussions on peace can expand into efforts by regional organizations and national legislatures, as well as practical cooperation with public institutions.
However, declaring a commitment to peace and actually achieving it are two different things.
It will be important to follow how institutions across Paraguay build on the principles of the DPCW and what concrete steps they take next.
When these efforts come together and lead to concrete action, the declaration's value will become even more evident.
💚 What Can We Do to Help Build a World Without War?
A world without war cannot be created overnight.
Resolving complex competing interests and long-standing conflicts requires considerable time, patience, and dedication.
That is why it is especially important to continuously translate small commitments to peace and acts of cooperation into action.
The 2025 declaration by Paraguay’s Chamber of Deputies leaves us with an important question.
What can we do today to help create a more peaceful world?
We do not have to begin with something grand.
Start with small changes, such as listening carefully to those around you, accepting differences, and resolving conflicts through dialogue.
Taking a continued interest in peace initiatives around the world is another meaningful way to contribute.
Peace should not remain merely words on paper; it must continue to take shape through our institutions, policies, and everyday actions.
💬 What Do You Think?
What are your thoughts on Paraguay’s Chamber of Deputies adopting a declaration in support of the DPCW?
What do you think is most important in turning commitments to peace into real change?
* Institutional efforts by governments and international organizations
* The willingness of the international community to work together
* Small acts of peace that begin in our everyday lives
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
Respecting different opinions and engaging in open dialogue can also be a meaningful part of learning about peace.
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