Initiative For Peace And Development IPD

29/08/2026

📸 IPD Photography & Visual Storytelling Program – Celebrating Our Young Creatives

What an incredible journey! 💙

Initiative for Peace and Development (IPD) was proud to celebrate the completion of our Photography & Visual Storytelling Program, where young people had the opportunity to develop their photography, creativity and storytelling skills, express themselves through images, and proudly showcase their work to the community.

The final exhibition was a special moment — seeing our young participants display their photographs, receive their certificates and share what they had created with families, community members and our supporters.

A heartfelt thank you to Foundation House for supporting this program and believing in the potential of our young people. We also thank our facilitator, volunteers, families, community members and everyone who joined us to celebrate their achievements.

At IPD, we believe that when young people are given opportunities, skills and a platform to express themselves, they can build confidence, strengthen their identity and discover what they are capable of.

Empowering Youth. Strengthening Communities. Building a Better Future. 💙📸

24/08/2026

Honoured to have been invited to attend the Premier’s Multicultural Gala Dinner 2026, celebrating the incredible cultural diversity that makes Victoria such a vibrant and welcoming place. 🇦🇺🌏

It was a wonderful evening connecting with community leaders, government representatives and people from many different cultural backgrounds who share a commitment to building stronger, more inclusive communities.

For me, occasions like this are also a reminder of why the work we do through Initiative for Peace and Development (IPD) is so important — empowering young people, supporting families, promoting wellbeing, celebrating culture and creating opportunities for our multicultural communities to thrive.

Grateful for the invitation, the conversations and the opportunity to represent and celebrate our community. 🤝🏾❤️

Together, we continue building stronger communities through diversity, inclusion and connection.

09/08/2026

🌍 Celebrating Culture, Confidence & Young People! 🇨🇩❤️

What an incredible way to wrap up our journey with the students at Manor Lakes P–12 College!

Over the past weeks, Initiative for Peace and Development (IPD) has had the privilege of mentoring and working alongside these amazing young people as they prepared for their Cultural Evening. Yesterday, we finally watched all that hard work come alive on stage — and the energy was ELECTRIC! 🔥👏🏾

From rehearsals, conversations and mentoring to cultural dance, music and performance, we watched the students grow in confidence, teamwork, leadership and pride in their cultural identity.

Seeing our young people proudly representing the Democratic Republic of Congo 🇨🇩 and African culture was a beautiful reminder of why creating spaces where young people feel seen, supported and proud of who they are matters so much.

A heartfelt thank you to Irene and Malesh for walking this journey with us from the beginning, and to the entire Manor Lakes P–12 College community for trusting IPD with the opportunity to mentor and support your students.

And most importantly, to the young people — you did it! ❤️
You worked hard, you showed up, you represented your culture proudly, and you absolutely owned that stage. We are incredibly proud of you.

For IPD, this is what youth empowerment looks like: belonging, confidence, culture, leadership and opportunity.

This may be the end of this particular program, but we hope it is only the beginning of many more opportunities to work together. 🤝🏾

Together, we empower. Together, we celebrate culture. Together, we build stronger communities.

🇨🇩

02/08/2026

02/08/2026

GENOCOST – August 2

Today, we remember the millions of innocent lives lost in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For nearly three decades, countless families have endured violence, displacement, and unimaginable suffering, yet their stories remain unheard by much of the world.

We stand in solidarity with every victim, every survivor, and every family still searching for peace and justice. Remembering is not about spreading hate—it is about honouring those who have been lost, supporting those who continue to suffer, and ensuring that these atrocities are never forgotten.

The world benefits from the Congo’s rich natural resources. It must also acknowledge the human cost that many Congolese communities have paid.

End the silence.
End the violence.
Stand for truth, justice, peace, and dignity.

🕯️ We remember. We honour. We will not forget.

04/07/2026

💙💛 Hope in Action – Goma, DRC 🇨🇩

At the Initiative for Peace and Development (IPD), we believe that every child deserves safety, care, and the opportunity to thrive.

In Goma, our teams continue to stand alongside vulnerable children and families affected by conflict and hardship. Through the distribution of school supplies, psychosocial support, and emergency assistance, we are bringing hope and dignity to communities that need it most.

Every smile, every child reached, and every family supported reminds us why this work matters. While the needs remain great, together we can make a difference.

Thank you to our volunteers, partners, and supporters who continue to walk this journey with us.

Together, we heal. Together, we rise. Together, we build hope.

💙💛🇨🇩

10/06/2026

Another successful IPD youth session at Manor Lakes College today. We had the opportunity to speak with young people about respect, unity, leadership, education, and being proud of our African identity while building a bright future in Australia. Thank you to the students and school staff for the warm welcome. Together we are building stronger communities, one young person at a time. 💙🌍

06/06/2026

IPD Youth Empowerment Program – A Day of Connection, Learning and Culture

Today, IPD was honoured to welcome our valued partners from Foundation House to our Youth Program.

Together, we created a safe space where young people could share their experiences, build confidence, strengthen cultural identity, and learn about available support services. The day included interactive discussions, group activities, cultural dance, leadership development, and a shared meal that brought everyone together.

At IPD, we believe that when young people feel connected, heard, and supported, they can build brighter futures for themselves and their communities.

A heartfelt thank you to Foundation House, our volunteers, mentors, and every young person who participated and made today such a success.

Together, we are empowering youth, strengthening communities, and building a better future.

27/05/2026

Honoured to meet with Dylan Wight MP for Tarneit today to discuss the important work being done by Initiative for Peace and Development (IPD) supporting multicultural youth and communities across the West.

Thank you for taking the time to listen to our vision, challenges, and goals for empowering young people through culture, leadership, wellbeing, and community connection. 💙💛

03/05/2026

✨ What an unforgettable evening yesterday! ✨

IPD was proud to bring together the Congolese and Scottish communities for a beautiful celebration of culture, unity, and connection here in Melton. 🇨🇩🤝🏴

From the vibrant music and dance to the shared stories, food, and laughter—yesterday truly showed the power of community when we come together as one. 🌍💙💛

A heartfelt thank you to Melton City Council for supporting this event, and to our amazing partners Scottish Network Australia for collaborating with us to make this night so special.

To everyone who attended, performed, and supported—we appreciate you. You are the reason these moments of unity and joy are possible.

Together, we celebrate our cultures. Together, we grow stronger.

📸 Feel free to share your favourite moments in the comments!