Opening Ceremony of 2014 WARP Summit

SEOUL | September 18, 2014

• Former heads of state, leaders of various countries and representatives of different religions delivered their congratulatory messages
• A variety of performances catching the eyes of people all around the world

On September 17, the Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL, Chairman Man Hee Lee) held the 2014 World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Summit at the Seoul Olympic Stadium.

During the opening ceremony, the entrance of distinguished guests was followed by the spectacular Card Section performance, which conveyed the vanity of war. As the host of the event, Mr. Man Hee Lee delivered the opening address in which he said, “If the heads of state love their country and people, they should sign an international agreement that would put an end to all wars and bring about peace.” After that, Ms. Nam Hee Kim, the chairwoman of the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG), delivered the commemorative address and spoke about how she changed after meeting the true advocate of peace and about the power of women that can achieve world peace.

Prior to the opening address, a video was shown of Mr. Lee’s peace movement and his World Peace Tours, during which he travelled to 54 countries and delivered the message of peace. In January in Mindanao of the Philippines—one of the most war-torn regions in Asia—Mr. Lee played a key role in resolving the 40-year conflict between Catholics and Muslims through a peace agreement. Also, in Zamboanga City of Mindanao, Mr. Lee presented the practical solution to peace at the Peace Walk in which over 12,000 people participated.

Messages congratulating the opening of the 2014 World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Summit were delivered by Emil Constantinescu, the former President of Romania; Kgalema Petrus Motlanthe, the Deputy President of South Africa; Alexander Rutskoy, the former Vice President of Russia; Bertie Ahern, the former Taoiseach of Ireland; Stjepan Mesic, the former President of Croatia; Gaudencio Rosales, Archbishop Emeritus of Manila; Giani Gurbachan Singh, the Jathedar of Akal Takht; and Shmuley Boteach, an American Orthodox Rabbi. Notably, Emil Constantinescu, the president of ICD Academy and former President of Romania, said in his congratulatory speech that “everyone in the world should become the messenger of peace, irrespective of nationality or race.”

After Mr. Lee proclaimed the opening of the summit, a variety of congratulatory performances including “Dance of Peace, Festival of Light” and “World is One” were presented.

International Peace Youth Group made their entrance during the opening ceremony of the 2014 WARP Summit.

Religious leaders made their entrance during the opening ceremony of the 2014 WARP Summit.

Ploitical Leaders made their entrance during the opening ceremony of the 2014 WARP Summit.

International Women's Peace Group made their entrance during the opening ceremony of the 2014 WARP Summit.