Lawmakers Emphasize That Social Integration Begins with Leaders’ Internalization of Values
Members of Committee on Peace and Reconciliation of Transitional National Legislative Assembly of South Sudan (TNLA) recently engaged in discussions that extended beyond legal frameworks to address the conscience and philosophy of leadership.
On December 18, a National Peace Leadership Education session was held at the South Sudan UNDP Conference Room for over 20 lawmakers from the TNLA’s Committee on Peace and Reconciliation. Organized in collaboration with the international peace organization HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light), the session provided an opportunity for lawmakers to explore the deep values of peace necessary for leading their nation.
Despite their busy legislative schedules, the MPs attended the session with a shared focus on social integration. Through HWPL’s peace value education, the lawmakers reaffirmed that while laws and institutions provide the “form” of a nation, a leader’s values are the “essence” that brings those forms to life.
The program, titled “Leaders Who Love Their People, Leaders Who Build Peace,” was conducted via a hybrid online and offline format connecting South Korea and South Sudan. The Committee on Peace and Reconciliation of the TNLA then discussed and applied these concepts to the current realities of South Sudan.
The participants agreed that achieving long-term stability and national unity requires leaders to internalize peace-related values, viewing this as an essential component of effective national governance.
The curriculum drew practical reference from South Korea’s humanities tradition and the examples of global peace advocates. Lawmakers examined how historical cases of leadership during periods of conflict to consider their relevance for peace leadership in modern-day South Sudan.
During the lecture and the 100-minute in-depth discussion, HWPL served as a facilitator, supporting participants in articulating their own “philosophy of peace.” Based on the values presented by HWPL, the MPs engaged in a profound debate over the specific virtues and action plans required of leaders to protect their citizens and unify the country.
Hon. Bona Deng Lawrence, Chairperson of the TNLA Standing Committee on Peace and Reconciliation, shared his profound reflections on the session:
“I’ve realized that learning is a lifelong journey, and today’s education provided a vital new perspective on forgiveness and reconciliation. As lawmakers, we carry a heavy responsibility for our people. I am committed to pushing for a dedicated peace education institution within our Assembly to ensure these values are translated into real policy.”
Following these remarks, Hon. Bishop John Jock Choul, a member of the Committee, emphasized the universal necessity of the program:
“The presentation was truly fantastic and deeply creative in our journey as human beings. Love is essential to life, because without love, life loses its direction. In the same way, a world without forgiveness cannot truly live. Forgiveness is one of the pillars of life. When forgiveness is promoted by a person, a group, or a nation, that nation is on the right path.”
This session marked the launch of a four-part series titled “People-Centered Peace Leadership Education”. The program is being conducted with the participation of the Standing Committee on Peace and Reconciliation of the TNLA and will continue with additional sessions focused on peace leadership, social integration, and the nation-building process in South Sudan.
