UK Women and Youth gather to support the International Convention on the Cessation of War

On 13 November 2015, the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) hosted the ‘IWPG Peace Forum’ to urge the implementation of the International Convention on the Cessation of War and Achievement of World Peace at Clothworkers’ Hall in London. The Forum mainly discussed the role of women in the implementation of the International Convention and was attended by numerous women leaders.

“Only when we become one in heart and gather our efforts to urge for peace, we can do so much more than we do separately,” said Ms. Nam Hee Kim, Chairwoman of the IWPG. She underlined the integral role youth and women play in achieving peace. “When we raise active awareness on how crucial the implementation of the Convention on the Cessation of Wars is, this initiative will be unstoppable by any forms of authority or wealth. Let us all become messengers of peace and speak up for the implementation of the Convention in one voice.”

The IWPG Peace Forum was followed by a Media Conference where journalists from well-known media organizations, such as BBC Arabic and Arab Telegraph, attended. The conference provided an opportunity to explore peace campaigns and projects that Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) and the IWPG have initiated. Six journalists and four women leaders were appointed as HWPL Publicity Ambassadors, pledging to accurately and widely report on the work of peace. 

On 15 November 2015, at the University of Oxford, HWPL Chairman, Mr. Man Hee Lee delivered a closing speech at the Model United Nations (MUN) conference, underling the significant role youth of this generation can play. “If we wish to permanently end all wars and armed conflicts, youth and woman should act as watchmen of each state, overseeing the progress of the International Convention on the Cessation of War to ensure global peace.” This year's Oxford International MUN was the largest and most prestigious conference where key world issues were discussed and participants could listen to illustrious guest speakers from across the globe.

Having encountered the harsh realities of war crimes against youth first hand, Chairman Lee strongly appealed to the audience and all individuals - “Even before their precious lives fully blossom and receive proper education, should youth ever be forcibly taken away from their mothers and be trained and used as tools to satisfy the greed of others? We must compensate for the lives lost in the midst of all conflicts by providing access to education, especially regarding various peace initiatives to those who are still forced to carry out non-peaceful activities in the world.”

Prior to the events above, Chairman Lee and the HWPL Peace Delegation met with HWPL International Law Peace Committee members and renowned international law scholars to discuss the 2nd draft of the International Convention on the Cessation of War and International Armed Conflicts, the core initiative of HWPL.

Chairman of HWPL Delivers Message of Peace to the UN

 Chairman Lee calls on youth, women, and religious leaders to give the future direction in establishing peace at the Global Peace Leadership Conference

The 70th Regular Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 70) opened at UN Headquarters on Tuesday, 15 September 2015. The General Debate of the 70th Session of the UNGA commenced on the 28 September. On the first day of the General Debate, as President Park delivered a keynote speech at the UN Sustainable Development Summit 2015, the Chairman of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), Mr. Man Hee Lee, also hosted The ‘Global Peace Leadership: Women, Youth, and Interfaith Dialogue.’

  The participants were eager to hear about the progressive work of HWPL. Mr. Lee spoke at length regarding the role of the UN and the international community. He reflected upon The World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Summit in Seoul, South Korea in 2014. It was a summit of an unprecedented scale, where all participants came together and made commitments of peace that laid the foundation for world peace. Notably, thousands showed their determination to achieve world peace by signing the Agreement to Propose the Enactment of International Law for the Cessation of Wars and World Peace and the Unity of Religions Agreement, respectively.

  During the 1st Annual Commemoration of September 18th World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Summit last week, International law experts pledged to work together for the implementation of an International Convention on the Renunciation and Cessation of War and International Armed Conflicts to bring fruition to the works initiated last year. Twelve specialists were appointed as members of the HWPL International Law Peace Committee. Chairman Man Hee Lee urged international law experts engaged in the Convention on the Renunciation and Cessation of War and International Armed Conflicts. It was drafted by members of HWPL Peace Advisory Council. Through discussion and modification by the HWPL International Law Peace Committee, the draft will be revised into a pragmatic international convention. Furthermore, HWPL aims to send the final convention to heads of states for ratification, and undergo the deliberative process of the UN to be fully adopted, implemented, and overseen by the relevant UN bodies.

  While in New York, Chairman Lee and Chairwoman Kim of the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) addressed the media, women, and youth involvement on the importance of the Implementation of an International Convention on the Cessation of War and Achievement of World Peace. Upon hearing the summation of the event in Seoul, peace conscious journalists, New Yorkers and the UN community were reminded again of the crucial role they play in propagating positive messages and the hope of peace through responsible and accurate reporting.

  Following this event, the two global peace leaders met with heads of state and UN officials. They also participated in high-level events as well as met religious leaders from all groups to foster the dialogue that can move the people of all faiths one step closer to peace.

France drops 20 bombs on Islamic State jihadi training camp in revenge for Paris shootings

Bombing target: Aerial view of ISIS-controlled Raqqa in Syria

France retaliated to the Paris terror attack by launching deadly airstrikes on an Islamic State jihadi training camp in Syria tonight.

Yesterday president Francois Hollande vowed to crush the extremist group who massacred 129 people on Friday night.

Less than 24 hours later, some 10 fighter jets pummeled the ISIS-held city of Raqqa with at least 20 bombs, according to the French defence ministry.

The raid... including 10 fighter jets, was launched simultaneously from the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. Twenty bombs were dropped."

Syrian activists today claimed a museum, a stadium and a medical centre were hit by air strikes.

They also said as of yet, there are no reports of any civilians being killed or injured.

How can we have peace in this world?  What would take for people to live peaceful?  HWPL and Chairman Man Hee Lee have an answer to achieve peace and bring end to the war.  

Check out at hwpl.kr 

Educators and community leaders commit to teach peacebuilding curriculum in schools

A flurry of anticipation filled the room of over 350 student and community leaders who convened at the Cerritos Center for Performing Arts last Saturday, November 7th for “Advancing the Light of Peace: HWPL Peace Event,” a forum to discuss peace initiatives in the sectors of religion, education, city government and women in the Southern California region. 

The forum, hosted by Heavenly Culture, World Peace and Restoration of Light (HWPL), an international non-profit registered under the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs with two wings, the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG) and the International Women Peace Group (IWPG) also included an honored welcome for the Chairman of HWPL, Mr. Man Hee Lee and Chairwoman of IWPG, Ms. Kim Nam Hee who traveled from South Korea to Cerritos, California  to meet the community leaders and listen to the good news. 

Chairman Lee’s visit to the United States marks his 21st World Tour to meet international heads of states, religious leaders, media and youth to speak on the urgency of united global commitment for HWPL’s two initiatives: an international law for the cessation of war and an alliance of religions through its WARP Peace Offices.  On September 17-18, 2015, HWPL commemorated the 1st Anniversary of its World Alliance of Religions for Peace Summit in Seoul, South Korea which finalized the 1st draft of the law by the HWPL Law Committee. 

To a pensive audience, Chairman Lee posed the question, “How sad it is that the young people are the ones sent to war, without having a chance for their lives to fully blossom. Isn’t this our responsibility to change? If not us, who will?” 

As a representative of the religious sector, Bhai Satpal Singh Khalsa spoke on his experiences with HWPL’s WARP Offices that facilitate the discussion of religious scriptures for understanding. "I find a ray of hope in Chairman Lee as I feel God himself has sent him as a messenger of peace to us. In a relatively short time, HWPL and Mr. Lee have inspired, guided and motivated many across the world including youth, women, heads of states and world religious leaders.” 

Professor Mutombo Nkulu-N’Sengha of the California State University of Northridge joined by professors from USC, CSULB and University of the West presented as the representative of education on the importance of including religious dialogue into school curriculum, expressing his commitment to work with HWPL to incorporate HWPL peacebuilding into his university classroom and the Bumuntu Peace Institute in Congo, Africa.

Paris attacked again

France has declared a national state of emergency and tightened borders after at least 120 people were killed in a night of gun and bomb attacks in Paris.

Eighty people were reported killed after gunmen burst into the Bataclan concert hall and took hostages before security forces stormed the hall.

People were shot dead at restaurants and bars at five other sites in Paris. Eight attackers are reported killed.

The attack on the 1,500-seat Bataclan hall was by far the deadliest of Friday night's attacks. Gunmen opened fire on concert-goers watching US rock group Eagles of Death Metal. The event had been sold out.  Within an hour, security forces had stormed the concert hall and all four attackers there were dead. Three had blown themselves up and a fourth was shot dead by police. Not far from the Place de la Republique and the Place de la Bastille, three busy restaurants and a bar were targeted by gunmen armed with Kalashnikovs.

The other target was the Stade de France, on the northern fringe of Paris, where President Hollande and 80,000 other spectators were watching a friendly international between France and Germany, with a TV audience of millions more.

The president was whisked to safety after the first of at least two explosions just outside the venue to convene an emergency cabinet meeting. Three attackers were reportedly killed there.

As the extent of the bloodshed became clear, Mr Hollande went on national TV to announce a state of emergency for the first time in France since 2005. The decree enables the authorities to close public places and impose curfews and restrictions on the movement of traffic and people.

Police believed all of the gunmen were dead - seven killed themselves with explosives vests and one was shot dead by the security forces - but it was unclear if any accomplices were still on the run.

Around 40 people were killed as customers were singled out at venues including a pizza restaurant and a Cambodian restaurant, Le Petit Cambodge.

I pray for the souls of dead people and their loved one.  

    

The purpose of IPYG & HWPL

Efforts towards to peace of HWPL and IPYG

The peace movement together with youth

How can we achieve the world peace?

You are not alone in this journey toward to peace

Hearts and minds sharing common goals and purpose

Humanity can united world  

Love can heals the wounded souls

The 1st Annual Commemoration of September 18th WARP Summit

On September 19th

[2015 HWPL International Conference: Presentation of the Convention on the Renunciation and Cessation of War and International Armed Conflicts]

On the second day of the 1st Annual Commemora¬tion of September 18th World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Summit, HWPL presented the Con¬vention on the Renunciation and Cessation of War and International Armed Conflicts at 2015 Interna¬tional Conference. The convention stresses the need to strengthen the provisions for renouncing war and other international armed conflicts and further calls on states to abide by those provisions. HWPL initi¬ated this project with the intent to settle armed con¬flicts only by peaceful means. The convention, upon its presentation at the conference, garnered support from not only legal professionals but also youth, women, and journalists who were in attendance. 

Chairman Lee of HWPL addressed that the Imple¬mentation of an International Convention on the Cessation of War is a brilliant work in the histo¬ry of the achievement of the cessation of war and world peace and will be remembered for eternity. Chairwoman Kim of the IWPG stated that the 1st Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit is the platform provided for the implementation of the international convention which is the core business of HWPL. 

The conference was attended by over 300 people in¬cluding international law experts as well as political, youth, women, and religious leaders from around the world. Among the attendees were Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, the chairman of the Moro Islamic Liber¬ation Front, who signed a peace agreement with the Philippines government, Dr. Fathi Kemicha, former member of the UN International Law Commission, and Dr. Kamal Hossain, the vice-chair of the Inter¬national Law Association. Also, former and current heads of state and many UN officials joined them in the work for peace, supporting the presentation of the first draft of the convention which is an unprec¬edented work that drew a stroke in the history of peace.

Jane Addams, the pioneer American peace activist

Jane Addams (September 6, 1860 – May 21, 1935) was a pioneer American settlement activist/reformer, social worker, public philosopher, sociologist, author, and leader in women's suffrageand world peace. She created the first Hull House. In an era when presidents such as Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson identified themselves as reformers and social activists, Addams was one of the most prominent reformers of the Progressive Era. She helped turn America to issues of concern to mothers, such as the needs of children, local public health, and world peace. She said that if women were to be responsible for cleaning up their communities and making them better places to live, they needed to be able to vote to do so effectively. Addams became a role model for middle-class women who volunteered to uplift their communities. She is increasingly being recognized as a member of the American pragmatist school of philosophy. In 1889 she co-founded Hull House, and in 1920 she was a co-founder for the ACLU. In 1931 she became the first American woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and is recognized as the founder of the social work profession in the United States.

In 1898 Addams joined the Anti-Imperialist League, in opposition to the U.S. annexation of thePhilippines. A staunch supporter of the 'Progressive' Party, she nominated Theodore Roosevelt for the Presidency during the Party Convention, held in Chicago in August 1912.  She signed up on the party platform, even though it called for building more battleships. She went on to speak and campaign extensively for Roosevelt's 1912 presidential campaign.

In January 1915 she became involved in the Woman's Peace Party and was elected national chairman.  Addams was invited by European women peace activists to preside over theInternational Congress of Women in The Hague, 28–30 April 1915, and was chosen to head the commission to find an end to the war. This included meeting ten leaders in neutral countries as well as those at war to discuss mediation. This was the first significant international effort against the war. 

Addams damned war as a cataclysm that undermined human kindness, solidarity, civic friendship, and caused families across the world to struggle. In turn her views were denounced by patriotic groups and newspapers during World War I (1917–18). Oswald Garrison Villard came to her defense when she suggested that armies gave liquor to soldiers just before major ground attacks. "Take the case of Jane Addams for one. With what abuse did not the [New York] Times cover her, one of the noblest of our women, because she told the simple truth that the Allied troops were often given liquor or drugs before charging across No Man's Land. Yet when the facts came out at the hands of Sir Philip Gibbs and others not one word of apology was ever forthcoming."  Even after the war the WILPF's program of peace and disarmament was characterized by opponents as radical, Communist-influenced, unpatriotic, and unfeminine. Young veterans in the American Legion, supported by some members of the Daughters of the American Revolution(DAR) and the League of Women Voters, were ill prepared to confront the older, better-educated, more financially secure and nationally famous women of the WILPF. Nevertheless, the DAR could and did expel Addams from membership in their organization.  The Legion's efforts to portray the WILPF members as dangerously naive females resonated with working class audiences, but President Calvin Coolidge and the middle classes supported Addams and her WILPF efforts in the 1920s to prohibit poison gas and outlaw war. After 1920, however, she was widely regarded as the greatest woman of the Progressive Era.  In 1931 the award of the Nobel Peace prize earned her near-unanimous acclaim.

HWPL DAY!

City of Mount Vernon, NY proclaim the World Alliance of Religions’ Day

Mayor Earnest D. Davis and the citizens of the City of Mount Vernon, New York have recently acknowledged HWPL’s dedication in bringing people of different religions together by officially designating September 18^th as the ‘World Alliance of Religions Day’ to commemorate the World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Summit.

There is a growing support within many major cities around the world for the observance of both the World Alliance of Religions Day and HWPL Day which affirm a vision of our world at peace and foster cooperation between individuals, organizations, and nations regardless of one’s religion.

With enormously diverse population, 68,000 people from over 98 different nationalities residing, the whole community of the City of Mount Vernon is uniting through love and tolerance by accepting HWPL’s philosophy and proclaiming the day of peace.