Dili: The international peace NGO, Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), and Timor-Leste's renowned art institution, Arte Moris, have joined forces to execute "The 3rd Peace Mural Project" at the University of Peace (UNPAZ) in Dili. This initiative, running from September to December 2025, aims to establish a new model of "peace education through art."

According to Lao News Agency, this project follows the 2023 mural at the Xanana Sports Center and the 2024 endeavor in Kakaulidun Village, marking the third community-participatory peace art project. Approximately 30 local artists and volunteers participate in each session, with six mural-painting sessions planned through December.

Timor-Leste, a country that has experienced decades of conflict before achieving independence in 2002, continues to focus on peacebuilding and cultural resilience. In this context, community-centered art projects serve as accessible tools for encouraging dialogue, identity, and social cohesion. This year's Peace Mural Project plays a part in the ongoing national effort, emphasizing the role of arts in public peace education.

HWPL's 'Peace City Dili' Initiative aims to create sustainable, everyday peace experiences within local communities. Since 2023, HWPL has collaborated with Timorese art groups and civil society to integrate peace into daily life through artistic expression.

The murals at UNPAZ reinterpret HWPL's 12 peace education lessons using Timor-Leste's cultural symbols and visual traditions. Positioned along frequently used walkways and public areas on campus, the project allows students and local residents to encounter the artwork as part of their daily routine, encouraging ongoing reflection on peace.

Supported by Vinod Patel Paints and guided by Arte Moris, the project involves voluntary community participation, embodying the message that "peace is a collective work of art." This cooperative model serves as a practical example of art-based peace education, where learning occurs through the collaborative process itself.

An HWPL representative stated, "This peace mural, now in its third year, is more than artwork-it is a symbol of our shared commitment with the people of Timor-Leste to cultivate lasting peace. Our goal is to create peaceful spaces that anyone can encounter in their everyday lives."

With the mural's completion, HWPL plans to continue expanding the 'Peace City' Initiative throughout Dili. Future plans include collaborations with universities and youth organizations in Timor-Leste to conduct peace education workshops, art exhibitions, and youth volunteer programs, aiming to enhance youth participation in peacebuilding and deepen community engagement through creative expression.