The Declaration of World Peace monument in Philippines

Monument to the Declaration of World Peace at

Moro Islamic Liberation Front Base Camp of the Philippines

10,000 people gathered for peace in Mindanao at HWPL Day ceremony

 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) of the Philippines held an unveiling ceremony for the Monument to the Declaration of World Peace at the center of their base camp located in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao Province. This area was once known as one of the bloodiest conflict zones in Asia.  

Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim of MILF extended an invitation to Mr. Man Hee Lee, Chairman of HWPL, Ms. Nam Hee Kim, Chairwoman of International Women’s Peace Group, and the HWPL Peace Delegation to commemorate the historical Mindanao Peace Agreement led by Chairman Lee on January 24, 2014. Chairman Ebrahim also decided to designate January 24^th of every year as ‘HWPL Day’.  

On January 24, 2016 the Monument to the Declaration of World Peace, the second HWPL Peace Monument in the Philippines, was shown to the public. The first HWPL Peace Monument had been built only eight months prior in May 2015.

The Monument to the Declaration of World Peace at MILF camp

Over 10,000 people from MILF and Moro communities participated in the unveiling ceremony and designation ceremony of HWPL Day. Political stability, economic development, and sustainable development are some of the projects being carried out by these communities in conjunction with HWPL. HWPL as an international NGO, has been leading peace discussions with MILF representatives, Muslim, and Catholic communities, as well as the government of the Philippines.  

Keynote messages delivered by Chairman Ebrahim and Chairman Lee are both inscribed on the Monument along with the Declaration of World Peace which was proclaimed by Chairman Lee on May 25, 2013 in Seoul, South Korea before 30,000 people from 130 different countries, announcing the practical methods to achieve world peace.

“This monument has been built on this hallowed ground to honor the people of the Bangsamoro who struggled for justice so that all the communities of Mindanao and Sulu – Muslim, Christian, and Lumad – will live in peace. Furthermore, this monument stands as a testament of support by the people of the Bangsamoro for the ‘International Law (Convention) of World Peace’ advocated in the United Nations by the Heavenly Culture, World Peace, and Restoration of Light (HWPL) led by Chairman Man-Hee Lee of South Korea,” presented by Chairman Ebrahim.  

Chairman Lee delivered a powerful message. “Today, where people are suffering from wars and conflicts, all leaders of diverse sectors including politics and religions, are taking part in the peace movements of HWPL by implementing an international law on cessation of wars and world peace, and establishing the HWPL World Alliance of Religions' Peace (WARP) Office, as a follow-up on the pledges they made before God and all people. Peace is not a matter confined to a single person but to every individual. Therefore anyone who is part of this global family must all become messengers of peace. Let us all participate and become the messengers of peace to pass on peace as an eternal legacy for the future generations!”

Having participated in the 1^st Annual Commemoration of the World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Summit this past September in Korea, Chairman Ebrahim, on behalf of MILF, said “Chairman Lee’s visit sends a very strong message to our people that we are not alone in our search for genuine and lasting peace. It also symbolizes the start of a partnership and cooperation between Mindanao Province, MILF, and HWPL.” In March 2015, MILF and the Philippines government came to final negotiations with the Bangsamoro Basic Law. In return, MILF voluntarily began decommissioning their weapons and soldiers. MILF has shown its dedication for peace work.  

Before the unveiling ceremony, MILF chairman presented an appreciation plaque to Chairman Lee for his dedication of bringing peace to Mindanao, marking this 7^th visit. Centered in MILF’s camp, HWPL’s peace activity will serve as a catalyst to spread the message of peace to the Davao, Mamasapano and General Santos regions, transforming the island of conflict into the island of peace.  

Furthermore, ‘HWPL Day’ was designated not only in Maguindanao in the Philippines but also in Carson City, LA and Alexandria, VA in the United States, the Royal Bafokeng Nation in South Africa, as well as in Santa Tecla, El Salvador.

Filipino Lawyers establish Peace Committee

Commemorative Photo of Chairman Lee of HWPL, Chairwoman Kim of IWPG and friends of HWPL, the members of the IBP.

Envisioning A World Without Armed Conflicts,

Filipino Lawyers in IBP to establish Peace Committee

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South Cotabato, Philippines – The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) has established an exclusive Peace Committee to take united action towards making the nation free from conflicts. In order to support the practical initiatives suggested by UN DPI NGO, Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), the IBP has inaugurated a total of 93 lawyers (9 Board of Governors and 84 regional representative lawyers) as members of the IBP National Committee on Peace. The lawyers were also appointed as HWPL Publicity Ambassadors. The IBP is an official organization of all Filipino lawyers whose names appear in the Roll of Attorneys of the Supreme Court.

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For the inauguration ceremony, IBP President Atty. Rosario T. Setias-Reyes, an active member of the HWPL Advisory Council, extended special invitations to the South Korean Peace Delegation: Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL and Chairwoman Nam Hee Kim of the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG). Atty. Jose I. De La Rama, Jr. will serve as the head of the Committee while he continues to serve as the IBP Governor for Central Luzon.

President Rosario T. Setias-Reyes of IBP is appointed as an HWPL Publicity Ambassador.

In response to President Setias-Reyes’s call for the Board of Governors to voluntarily establish the Peace Committee in the IBP, the committee members pledged to strive to make peace a reality in the Philippines through supporting HWPL’s peace proposal: the International Convention on the Renunciation and Cessation of War and International Armed Conflicts. They affirmed their solidarity in instilling hopes for those in need of peace through their expertise.

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As the only means to bring peace to the world, HWPL Chairman Lee has suggested such a Convention and founded the HWPL International Law Peace Committee, consisting of international law scholars and professionals.

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“If each nation’s head and leaders desire for world peace and love their people, they must work for the establishment of the right framework for the international convention on peace. For future justice in the Philippines and the rest of the world, all the honorable officers who are here with me today are forming that framework on behalf of all people. We have to urge the nations to participate in supporting the International Convention which can promote peace,” said Chairman Lee.

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Chairwoman Kim also called on the officers present, especially women leaders to actively work for peace by saying “Numerous international agreements and principles for peace have been drawn up and ratified until today. However, war and civil unrest have not stopped in this world. We, the women, have the responsibility to protect our husbands, children, and our neighbors.”

Atty. Jose I. De La Rama, Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL, Chairwoman Nam Hee Kim of IWPG, IBP President Atty. Rosario T. Set

Since IBP faces unique challenges inland, it continues to provide free legal services to citizens of the Philippines as one of main objectives of IBP. Just last month, IBP vowed to help and give legal assistance to the lumad (Indigenous People) evacuees.

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At the same time as the formation of the IBP Peace Committee, the Monument to the Declaration of World Peace was erected and an HWPL day was designated in the MILF base camp in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao Province. This location was once a hot-spot during 40-years of armed conflict between MILF and the government of the Philippines.  The region now serves as a reminder to the real costs of armed conflicts and the need for transformation from a culture of violence to a culture of peace.  

HWPL Peace in Philippines

HWPL Chairman to hold Peace Talks with Mayor Ronnel Rivera of General Santos City and Mr. Manny Pacquiao

Launching Ceremony

HWPL Peace Delegation’s peace tour in Philippines has been proceeding for eight full days, reaching its curtain call today on January 29. HWPL Chairman Man Hee Lee and the peace delegation had peace talks with Mayor Ronnel Rivera of General Santos City at the Green Leaf Hotel. "The Mindanao Peace Agreement which was concluded in General Santos City was the starting point of all peace works in Mindanao," said Chairman Lee, asking for the future cooperation to bring out a bigger wave of peace in General Santos.

Being appointed as an HWPL Publicity Ambassador, Mayor Ronnel Rivera promised to cooperate in the peace movements in the local communities.

Also the Peace Delegation met Mr. Manny Pacquiao, the world-renowned Filipino world champion professional boxer. Also a member of the Philippine House of Representatives in Sarangani province, Mr. Pacquiao invited the HWPL Peace Delegation to his house. After the meeting, he has promised to cooperate for justice and peace in the Philippines as an HWPL Publicity Ambassador.

Meanwhile, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) has launched the HWPL National Committee on Peace in IBP and celebrated a signboard hanging ceremony. The launching ceremony took place at the South Cotabato Gymnasium with more than 200 representative attorneys of each IBP branch. The IBP has appointed Chairman Lee and IWPG Chairwoman Nam Hee Kim as advisers of the committee and HWPL has appointed 9 Board of Governors and 84 representatives of the IBP branches as the HWPL Publicity Ambassadors.

HWPL New New York 13th world Alliance of Religions ' peace Offce www.avn...

  September 29, 2015 New York - Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), successfully held the “Global Peace Leadership: Women, Youth and Interfaith Dialogue” last Monday, 28 September at the United Nations in New York City which highlighted the effect of war and conflict on women and youth as well as what needs to be done to solve these conflicts. We Care for Humanity President and Founder Princess Maria Amor served as one of the speakers during the meet.

About a hundred multi-sector leaders particularly the women and youth participated in the event organized by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), an international peace organization, actively working for world peace with the heads of state, chief justices, religious leaders, women, peace and youth groups. HWPL Chairman Man Hee Lee, and Chairperson Nam Hee Kim of the International Womens’ Peace Group, who came all the way from South Korea for this event were enthusiastically met by religious leaders during the event.

  According to Yongmin Shin, the U.S. East Coast Director of HWPL, Interfaith dialogue through HWPL World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Office is not only limited in the United States. Yongmin said “Currently, many World Alliance of Religions’ Peace offices are being established and are actively operating around the world. The offices began as a continuation of the signing of the Peace Agreement by the religious leaders at the WARP Summit in September 2014 in South Korea. Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL and Chairwoman Nam Hee Kim of IWPG invited religious leaders from around the world to the WARP Summit. Out of all participants, about 1,000 religious leaders attended the Summit and signed the peace agreement. After returning to their home countries, these religious leaders have been making their best efforts to carry out the promise they had made at the summit by establishing and operating World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Offices in their respective countries with the help of HWPL officers.”

  HWPL not only hosts interfaith dialogues for religious leaders through the HWPL WARP Office meetings, but also campaigns to enact an international law for the cessation of wars. Chairman Lee, a Korean war veteran, experienced the atrocities of war and witnessed the deaths of his fellow soldiers in the battlefields. Since then, he has been dedicating his entire life to bring world peace. His dedication resulted in HWPL’s unparalleled peace activities that are now regarded as effective solutions to world peace and cessation of wars.

  For her part, Princess Maria said, “It is a great honor to attend this event organized by Chairman Man Hee Lee of the HWPL, and Chairperson Nam Hee Kim of the IWPG. I would like to compliment their tireless efforts for advancing global peace. As we know, it is not easy to reform the world but they don’t simply give up. What an amazing duo! It is indeed a real pleasure talking with so many special people gathered here today working for a saner, safer, peaceful free world.”

  During the conference, Princess Maria Amor was officially appointed as the Publicity Global Ambassador for HWPL and IWPG. She added, “I can confirm to you that the conference was a huge success. Instead of holding on to prejudices and indifference, the presenters and the audience shared an ambience of acceptance, a genuine curiosity toward one another’s perspectives, and the thirst for insight. It is an honor to promote the objective of the WHPL and IWPG in my capacity as their Publicity Ambassador.”

  HWPL campaigns to enact an international law for the cessation of wars. Chairman Lee, a Korean war veteran, experienced the atrocities of war and witnessed the deaths of his fellow soldiers in the battlefields. Since then, he has been dedicating his entire life to bring world peace. His dedication resulted in HWPL’s unparalleled peace activities that are now regarded as effective solutions to world peace and cessation of wars.
The day was capped with all the participants willingly signed the peace agreement and strongly desired to meet regularly, pledging to continue to work together to bring world peace.
Princess Dato’Seri Maria Amor Torres DK1, DD

About the Writer:

  Princess Dato’Seri Maria Amor Torres DK1, DD, is the Founder and President of We Care for Humanity; the Creator and Chairman of Global Officials of Dignity (G.O.D.) Awards & WCH Humanitarian Summit; Bae Lawanen “Princess” of The Royal House of Baloi; Derjah Kerabat (DK1)/Minister of Home Affairs of The Royal Kingdom of Sulu; Bae Insalilay "The Traveling Princess", Tribal Government of the Philippines.

  We Care for Humanity is an internationally recognized organization espousing current global issues and concerns such as Human Rights, World Peace, Education, Health and Wellness, Eradication of Poverty, Green Environment and Empowerment.

HWPL WARP Office.

Open communication among religions bring hope of peace in the world

About WARP

Statement of Intent

While it may, in most cases be too simplistic to say that ideological differences based on religion or culture are the cause of war in our world today, it is not too much to say that these differences are exploited to heighten the community’s propensity for violent behaviour.

Through the World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Summit, HWPL seeks to create a forum for dialogue centring on the creation of a commonly acceptable value-system between secular and religious communities in all socio-political sectors of our divers societies.

Such a value system will form the basis for the creation of peace agreements and a universally applicable constitution of interfaith relations, as well as education materials which can be used across the spectrum of humanity’s diversity to begin revolutionising the basic precepts of our cultures and ideologies which provide the central tenants promoting conflict and violent behaviour.

Goals of the summit

1. To begin the process of establishing a universally applicable system of values focussing on aspects of morality and experience of life that bind us together as a global family.

2. Establish a basic ideological foundation upon which a World Alliance of Religions can be built in order to bring conflicts founded on differing religious ideologies to an end.

3. Draft and publicly make the Declaration of the World Alliance of Religions.

4. Define the roles of cultural leaders, both secular and religious, in the creation and implementation of a new, heavenly culture.

Objective

1. Announce a declaration after signing the agreement for the alliance of religions, cessation of war and world peace,
and reporting through the press from all over the world.

2. Ratify and implement the world peace agreements for each religious body.

3. Appoint ambassadors of Heavenly Culture World Peace Restoration of Light to each continent and country.

4. Construct a powerful global network that integrates all groups. (Presidents, politicians, religious leaders, youth, women and press)

5. Determine peace movement for resolution of the regions in conflict throughout the world

6. Announce a global statement for the peaceful reunification of Korea

7. Create an alliance of women and youth groups from all over the world

8. Present knowledge from the successful achievement of the peace agreement in Mindanao and apply to other regions in conflict

HWPL hosts another event in Bahrain on religious harmony

This WARP Office was hosted by Heavenly Culture World Peace Restoration of Light (HWPL) based on S. Korea which is worldwide peace group, Vijay Kumar of Hinduism, Ibrahim Nonoo of Judaism, Zachariah of Orthodox, Yosuf Mohamed of Islam, and Peter Bae of Christianity attended representing their religions and 10 members of International Peace Youth Group (IPYG) attended as audience. The representatives presented with the theme of “Prophecy and Fulfillment” based on their own scriptures, compared their scriptures and discussed a peaceful harmony further to it.

During O·X quiz time, the highlight of WARP office, they had time to compare their scriptures with questions like ‘Does your scripture record the prophecy of God?’ and ‘Was the prophecy fulfilled?’ under the theme of “Prophecy and Fulfillment’.
Ibrahim Nonoo, who participated representing Judaism, stated his impression saying “Since I was in England, I wanted to attend this event even online as a person who knows the importance of WARP office. I was hoping to support HWPL’s peace works”.

Minwoo Kang who is S.Korean, a member IPYG, attended the office as an audience and said, “It was amazing to find the common ground from difference religions through scripture comparison. I wish this kind of dialogues continue in future so that we understand each other’s religions and all religions become one in peace as soon as possible”.

While tension reaches its peak in the neighboring countries with religious conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran, HWPL WARP office continued on from last April for peaceful harmony through scriptures among religious people. The Bahrain WARP office, that was hosted seven times up to date, continues on a regular basis by about five religious leaders including Ibrahim Nonoo of Judaism and Zachariah of the Orthodox Church and 10 religious figures attended so far.

HWPL WARP office is a place for religious harmony that Chairman Man Hee Lee suggested as the answer of peace at WARP summit hosted by HWPL in 2014. It was constantly hosted around the world after the summit and is actively in the march in 107 offices in 59 countries. In December of 2015, Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL and Chairwoman Nam Hee Kim of IWPG shared the solutions to achieve religious harmony and peace that got media attention at a global level.

Chairman of HWPL speaks in Albania

Tirana, Albania – Upon receiving an invitation from President Bujar Nishani of Albania, Chairman Man Hee Lee of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) made the long trip from South Korea to Albania. Albania is located at the center of Balkan Peninsula, also known as the “Powder Keg” of Europe, because of the political and religious conflicts that have long persisted there.

December 8th at 10 a.m., (local time), the ‘25th Anniversary of the Fall of Communism’ was held in Tirana Sheraton Hotel, celebrating the revolution in Central and Eastern Europe that led to the fall of communism in 1990 which was stirred by a youth movement. Hosted by President Nishani, the anniversary, considered the biggest commemoration in Albania, was attended by over 80 leaders in various fields including, former and current political leaders from all over Europe such as President Atifete Jahjaga of Kosovo, Stjepan Mesić, former President of Croatia, and Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey. As a Korean War Veteran at the forefront of leading the unification of the two Koreas, Chairman Lee of HWPL, accompanied by Chairwoman Nam Hee Kim of the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG), was invited to deliver a keynote speech.

Chairman Lee said “Korea is a country divided into North and South by political leaders. The North is yet far from being liberated from the Communist party. Dear citizens of Albania, let us become messengers of peace and leave a legacy of peace to future generations by ceasing all wars on this earth. Through urging the implementation of the International Convention on the Renunciation and Cessation of Wars and International Armed Conflicts, let us make a peaceful world where we can also form a strong alliance of religions, moving the heart of individuals in search of peace amid struggles and persistent violence in the world.”

“The systematic process that led to communism’s fall in Albania is very similar to that of democratization in South Korea. The collective wishes for peace and freedom moved all of Albania to transform the government’s structural hurdles and we now see the free Albania of today.” said Chairwoman Kim of the IWPG. She continued in her speech, “With Chairman Lee of HWPL who has practical solutions to achieve world peace and the cessation of all wars, I have been traveling to unite the efforts of all 3.6 billion women on this planet to use their motherly love to make peace a reality, even on this 22nd world peace tour. Korea remains divided by different ideologies. As a representative of the NGO, Chairman Lee has restlessly pursued the peaceful unification of the two Koreas and proclaimed the Declaration of Unification and Declaration of World Peace. All female attendees present in this room, let us become one with the IWPG and establish peace together,” urging both youth and women to speak in one voice for peace.

The 25th Anniversary of the Fall of Communism was broadcasted live through the Albanian regional broadcasting station, News 24. Chairman Lee and his peace delegation are scheduled to have an in-depth studio interview at the Balkan web broadcasting station on December 9th.

Prior to attending the commemorative event, the two chairpersons met with prominent women leaders and women’s organization representatives at the ‘IWPG Women Leaders Seminar.’ All seminar attendees registered as IWPG members, pledging to enhance women’s peace activities in Albania.

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.

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.

1st Annual Commemoration of September 18th World Alliance of Religions Peace Summit Main Highlight

1st Annual Commemoration of September 18th 
World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Summit: “If we take action, it will be achieved”

- Chairman Lee’s appeal to the Implementation of an International Convention on the Cessation of War and Achievement of World Peace

- By expanding the number of HWPL WARP Offices established, support for the peace movement will accelerate further

The promise that was made in 2014 for world peace bears fruit in 2015

 The World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Summit 2014 was attended by about 2,000 guests including former and current heads of state, religious leaders, youth, women, and journalists from around the world and its outdoor events (World Peace Walk and Pre-event) by about 30,000 people. It was a summit of an unprecedented scale, where all participants came together and made promises that laid the foundation for world peace. Notably, former and current heads of state and religious leaders showed their determination to realize 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.

 This year’s 1st Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit was attended by about 300 people. The attendees included not only those in the various fields that had participated in the summit of the previous year but also international law experts. In order to create an institutional framework for the realization of peace, a draft convention on the cessation of war was presented. This presentation was witnessed by the youth, women, and journalists, as each group holds an important role in achieving peace.

 Below are the four highlights of the 1st Annual Commemoration of September 18th World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Summit, which took place on 17-19 of September 2015 in Seoul and the outskirts of Seoul, Republic of Korea.

1. Moving forward - International law experts modify the draft convention on the cessation of war
 To fundamentally resolve international armed conflicts, HWPL invited international law experts, as suggested by Chairman Man Hee Lee, and presented the Convention on the Renunciation and Cessation of War and International Armed Conflicts, which was drafted by members of the HWPL Peace Advisory Council. Through discussion and modification by the HWPL International Law Peace Committee, the draft convention will be improved into a complete and applicable international convention. Furthermore, HWPL aims to send the final convention to heads of state around the world and have it ratified, and to go through the deliberative process of the UN so that the convention will be fully adopted and implemented. Also, it was proposed that UN agencies should monitor and oversee the enforcement of the convention by each state. The convention will include provisions on inter-religious conflict as well.

 At the afternoon session of the international law conference, Chairman Lee emphasized that “our future generations can inherit peace only if the international law experts do their part,” and further requested them to “make good laws to make the world a better place.” Moved by Chairman Lee’s earnest appeal, the international law experts suggested setting a specific schedule for drafting and finalizing the convention.

-Launching the HWPL International Law Peace Committee
 This day, twelve international law experts including Dr. Fathi Kemicha (former member of the UN International Law Commission), Prof. Ibrahim Aljazy (President of the International Law Association, Jordanian Branch, and former Minister of State for Legal Affairs of Jordan), and Prof. Enver Hasani (former President of the Constitutional Court of Kosovo) were appointed as members of the HWPL International Law Peace Committee. They pledged to work together for the implementation of an international convention on the cessation of war. As the first step for this purpose, the participants discussed practical ways to draft the most essential provisions based on the draft convention that HWPL prepared in advance.

2. Inter-religious conference for resolving religious conflict
 During the HWPL World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Office Presentation Meeting and Religious Leaders’ Conference, the role that religious people hold in the peace movement and the current state of the religious world were addressed. The HWPL WARP Office is a gathering of religious leaders and scholars where they study religious texts and realize that peace can be achieved in the religious world only through religious unity and the answer to peace is within the Creator who gives life to this earth. To find that answer along with people of all religious backgrounds, HWPL began to hold dialogue sessions at HWPL WARP Offices for comparing religious texts. As of September 11th 2015, 104 offices have been established in 53 countries. This day’s session stressed the role and importance of religious figures in achieving world peace and further instilled in each participant a sense of responsibility and commitment to world peace through the unity of religions.

3. Establishing roles of the youth and women in the direction of the implementation process of the international convention 
 Chairman Lee addressed the importance of the youth and women in the implementation of the international convention on the cessation of war. He stressed that they should raise their voices to monitor the implementation process of the convention. For this purpose, the IWPG and IPYG presented the Statement to Urge for the Implementation of an International Convention on the Cessation of War, which all participants signed to strengthen their determination. A worldwide online signature campaign will be launched soon as a means of implementing and expanding the project. Ms. Nam Hee Kim, the chairwoman of the IWPG, said in her speech that, “When the ability of international law experts, heavenly wisdom of HWPL, and work of the youth and women come together, all wars on earth will be brought to an end. Along with all women of the world, members of the IWPG will support the work of international law experts.”

4. Discussing the mission of journalists for peace 
 A total of 17 journalists from 13 media organizations in 14 countries attended the 1st Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit. During the press conference on the 17th and HWPL Media Forum on the 18th, they shared the publicity work they have done as HWPL Publicity Ambassadors and discussed the mission of journalists in achieving peace. The journalists in attendance, who swiftly deliver the news of peace to the world, said that issues that the media of each country face should be resolved for such good news to be spread more widely. Also, they brought up the necessity of creating various TV and radio programs to arouse the youth’s interest in peace. Furthermore, they suggested that media coverage on international law that the public can easily understand is needed.

 For the 1st Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit, high-tech filming equipment including helicopter cameras were used to broadcast historical moments where prominent leaders discussed world peace, enabling over 30,000 people in 60 countries to watch them live online. On the 19th, the last day of the event, “Inside WARP Summit,” a newsletter that introduces about the programs of the first day, was provided to each participant and delivered the news regarding the opening ceremony and each session. This event was more than just an international peace conference; it was a harmonious combination of culture and technology that took the cultural events to the next level.

HWPL, Declaration of World Peace

From September 17^th through 19^th, hundreds of world leaders including political, religious, women, and youth leaders gathered in Seoul, South Korea for the 1^st Annual Commemoration of September 18^th World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Summit.

While commemorating the success of last year’s summit, HWPL and participants discussed the notable progresses on two major works of HWPL throughout the summit: the Implementation of the Convention on the Renunciation and Cessation of War and International Armed Conflicts and the establishment of World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Offices.

With this solid groundwork that was resulted from the 1^st Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit, HWPL is accelerating its advocacy work for peace with HWPL Publicity Ambassadors and International Law Peace Committee.

HWPL, WARP summit of 17th press conference

First Annual Commemoration WARP Summit

On September 17^th, officially marking the opening of the commemorative event, the press conference was held. In the morning of the following day, 30,000 members of HWPL and its affiliated organizations, IPYG and IWPG gathered at the Peace Gate to celebrate the 1^st anniversary of the Summit. Various performances on peace including the ceremony of mixing ‘Bibimbap’, a signature Korean traditional dish, symbolizing the harmony and unity of all reaffirmed their solidarity for bringing peace.

Over the course of two days, keynote presentations and speeches delivered at a series of forums and workshops for all sectors of the society stimulated in-depth discussions and Q&A sessions on various topics. Supporting the works of HWPL, tens of thousands viewers around the world witnessed the main sessions that were broadcasted live.

What was noteworthy of the Summit was 2015 HWPL International Conference which featured Presentation of the Convention on the Renunciation and Cessation of War and International Armed Conflicts. At the Panel Discussion, twelve experts in the field of International law discussed how to practically implement the presented convention with Chairman Lee of HWPL and Chairwoman Kim of the IWPG.

After confirming the future plans to finalize the draft, these twelve experts were appointed as HWPL International Law Peace Committee for their further collaboration in implementing such a convention.