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.

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.

Live coverage of 2015 WARP of 1st Commemoration

Live coverage of 2015 WARP of 1st Commemoration

https://goo.gl/uaL8XQ

Broadcasting time 

▶ South Korea
18th September 10:00-12:30 AM South Korea, Time (GMT +9)
18th September 16:00-19:00 PM South Korea, Time (GMT +9)
19th September 09:00-12:00 AM South Korea, Time (GMT +9)

▶ United Kingdom (London)
 18th September 08:00-11:00 AM London local Time
19th September 01:00-03:00 AM London local Time
▶ United States (New York)
 18th September 03:00-06:00 AM New York local Time
18th September 20:00-23:00 PM New York local Time

HWPL, Declaration of World Peace

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