Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative

10/12/2026

“Peacebuilding starts at home and in schools.”

It’s one of ten lessons we’ve learned through a decade of WPDI’s Domestic Harmonizer Program, and a reminder of what young people can do when they have the tools to listen, understand different perspectives, and work through disagreements.

Launched by Forest Whitaker in 2016 at Carnegie Middle School in Carson, California, DHP has grown to 28 partnerships across California and Washington.

Behind that growth are lessons about earning schools’ trust, supporting students as peer mediators, and making peacebuilding part of everyday school life.

To mark ten years of DHP, Domestic Program Director Monya Kian and Conflict Resolution Education Trainer Karen DeVoogd reflect on what has challenged them, surprised them, and kept the work moving forward.

Read their ten lessons, and discover why the impact of peace education can reach far beyond the classroom!

  October 12, 2026 – Ten years ago, in September 2016, Forest Whitaker launched the Domestic Harmonizer Program (DHP) as a pilot at Carnegie Middle School in Carson, California. What began as a conflict resolution education (CRE) pilot has grown into a broader peacebuilding initiative with 28 par...

10/10/2026

Mental well-being touches every part of our lives. At WPDI, it shapes every part of our work.

This , we’re reminded of the ecosystem of care, connection, and opportunity it takes to heal. That’s why, alongside our trauma healing services, we help people build livelihoods, access health education and care, connect through sport, and develop the skills to lead for peace.

Peace is a skill we can learn and practice, by listening with empathy, reflecting on our experiences, and resolving conflict through dialogue. Creating space to practice these skills supports mental well-being by helping people feel heard and hopeful about their future.

10/08/2026

Skill + Idea + Support = Economic Independence 💡

In San Cristóbal de las Casas, Mexico, 12 participants recently completed six months of entrepreneurship training through WPDI México, developing business plans for ventures ranging from flavored honey to crochet bags.

For Janeth, a mother and crochet entrepreneur, the experience brought something else, too: confidence.

“Now I feel more confident in what I do, and I’ve started to lose my fear of taking risks.”
From skills to business plans, these participants are taking the next step toward building sustainable livelihoods.

See how WPDI is empowering local communities to turn ideas into opportunity:

October 8, 2026 – The start of the fall season marked the completion of WPDI Mexico’s Social Entrepreneurship and Business course for 12 participants in San Cristóbal de las Casas. After six months of learning at the WPDI Learning Center, participants presented their business ideas, ranging fro...

10/02/2026

Our voices are among our most powerful tools for peace. 🕊️

On this International Day of Non-Violence, we’re sharing the journey of paper doves created by children in South Africa, South Sudan and Uganda, carrying their hopes for a future free from violence.

As part of United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict ’s global campaign, WPDI helped children learn about their rights and express their hopes through these doves. Shipped from our country offices to New York, they came together in an installation at our Rise As One Gala.

Watch to see it come to life! Each dove carries a child’s voice. Together, they call on us to listen, and act.

10/02/2026

Our voices are among our most powerful tools for peace. 🕊️

On this International Day of Non-Violence, we’re sharing the journey of paper doves created by children in South Africa, South Sudan and Uganda, carrying their hopes for a future free from violence.

As part of the United Nations Office for Children and Armed Conflict's global campaign, WPDI helped children learn about their rights and express their hopes through these doves. Shipped from our country offices to New York, they came together in an installation at our Rise As One Gala.

Watch to see it come to life! Each dove carries a child’s voice. Together, they call on us to listen, and act.

09/29/2026

Digital skills can open doors, and creating opportunities for young people is one of the many ways we build peace.

At WPDI Chiapas, 13 young people training to become culinary technicians strengthened their digital skills through hands-on training, learning practical tools they can use in school, at work, and in their daily lives.

From creating recipe tables and templates to using Word and PDF tools, participants gained skills that can help them navigate new opportunities and build confidence in what they can achieve.

Peace is built not only by addressing conflict, but by creating the conditions to shape their own futures.

Read their stories:

09/24/2026

What does peace look like to a child?

Through , a global campaign led by our longtime partner, the United Nations Office for Children and Armed Conflict, WPDI worked with more than 680 children in South Africa, South Sudan, and Uganda. The children learned about their rights, wrote messages expressing their hopes for peace, and folded those messages into origami doves. 🕊️

Tomorrow, their doves will be featured at WPDI’s Rise As One Gala, where Vanessa Frazier, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, will join us.

Read the story and discover the messages behind the doves! 🕊️
https://www.wpdi.org/news/prove-it-matters-wpdi-and-the-un-office-of-the-srsg-for-children-and-armed-conflict-partner-to-advocate-for-childrens-rights/

09/24/2026

09/22/2026

Where could your winning bid take you? ✨

Step behind the scenes of I Love LA, attend the Global Citizen Festival with Ultimate VIP access, enjoy a premium night with the New York Rangers, or discover original artwork, luxury pieces, and rare Godfather of Harlem memorabilia.

Funds raised through the Rise As One Silent Auction will support WPDI’s work to empower communities to build lasting peace.
The auction closes this Friday, September 25.

Explore the full collection: https://us.givergy.com/WPDI2026Gala/?controller=home

09/22/2026

Where could your winning bid take you? ✨

Step behind the scenes of I Love LA, attend the Global Citizen Festival with Ultimate VIP access, enjoy a premium night with the New York Rangers, or discover original artwork, luxury pieces, and rare Godfather of Harlem memorabilia.

Funds raised through the Rise As One Silent Auction will support WPDI’s work to empower communities to build lasting peace.

The auction closes this Friday, the 25th! Explore the full collection and place your bids through the link in our bio!