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.

A World Peace Advocate Urges the IBP for the Future of Justice in the Philippines

  Philippine lawyers have a freshly sworn in the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP). The former Executive Vice President Rosario T. Setias-Reyes was appointed as the National President of IBP, replacing Attny.

  Vincente M. Joyas who served the organization from 2013, at the inauguration ceremony held at the Dignitaries Lounge at the Supreme Court on July 7th, 2015. Setias-Reyes is the first female National President of the IBP, the official organization of all Philippine lawyers whose names appear in the Roll of Attorneys of the Supreme Court. IBP’s national board members for 2015-2017 were sworn in before the SC Clerk of Court.

  At the occasion, a group of selected guests were also invited to witness the scene. A Peace Advocate and Chairman of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (“HWPL”), Mr. Man Hee Lee attended the ceremony and the dinner held afterwards to give a congratulatory message upon the special invitation from IBP along with Chairwoman Nam Hee Kim of International Women’s Peace Group (“IWPG”).

  Chairman Lee, as known his achievement is especially noteworthy in the nation, played a decisive role in ending a 40-year conflict of Mindanao between Catholic and Muslim communities. At the inaugural dinner, Chairman Lee spoke about the significance of the enactment of an international law for the cessation of war and role of judicial officers and urged the national board members of IBP and all judicial leaders to realize the necessity of amending the international law to terminate all wars. He stated that the road blocks in achieving enduring peace within this world is because there is a lack of an international constitutional law to ban wars and war crimes.

  Seeing this matter, Chairman Lee has appealed to world leaders to demonstrate their commitment to peace by signing the enactment of war into international law. “If each nation’s head and leaders desire for world peace and truly love their people, they should work for this amendment and sign on the agreement of the enactment of an international law to cease wars. For the future of justice in the Philippines, all the honorable officers who are here with me today have to urge the nations to participate in establishing a law that prohibits the further producing and developing of weapons. In case if any states violate the law and continues to carry out any non-peaceful activities, a form of penalty and punishment should be applied under an international law,” said Chairman Lee.

  Chairwoman Kim also called on the officers present especially woman 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. The only way to define the right framework for the nations to bring forth peace is Chairman Lee’s initiative on the enactment of an international law for peace. We, the women, have the responsibility to protect our husbands, children, and our neighbors.” 

  President Setias-Reyes acknowledged the tremendous efforts of two Chairpersons for the last several years, visiting nations and promoting the need of the implementation of the law for peace. As she became the new President, Setias-Reyes agreed to serve as the member of HWPL’s Peace Advisory Council to work for and bring forth such enactment. In the mean time, in his latest visit in the Philippines in late May this year, Mr. Lee has already met the former President Attny. Joyas with a few prominent political and judicial leaders through a private meeting arranged in Manila. Attny. Joyas, who has served as the member of HWPL’s Peace Advisory Council since then, again expressed his support in assisting Mr. Lee’s proposal on the enactment of an international constitution to permanently end wars and conflicts and will further collaborate with international lawmakers to implement the proposal.

  The value of precious lives and resources destroyed in war are a result of decisions made by individuals and these individuals make justifications for their actions to continue to practice war crimes in many parts of the world. As the IBP officers have agreed and pledged to protect citizens and villages of the Philippines through advising and supporting HWPL in the amendment process, it is realized that peace has come one step closer.

The first HWPL Media Forum in SA

Johannesburg, South Africa – On August 17, over 30 journalists, commissioning editors and news analysts gathered to share their views and ideas to understand their role in peace building. Under the theme of ‘The Role of the Media in peace building’, this was the very first Heavenly Culture, World Peace, and Restoration of Light (HWPL) Media Forum on African soil which was held in collaboration with the national broadcaster, South African Broadcast Commission (SABC), more specifically SABC TV Religion.

With the example of fellow news broadcasters from across the globe who have undertaken the role of HWPL publicity ambassadors, the media representatives from both print and broadcast engaged in dialogue with one goal – reporting the work of peace accurately. Guest speakers included the Head of SABC TV Religion Ms. Yashika Sigh, news analyst Mr. Zanele Mashinini, and producer from iTV Ms. Aadila Amod who were joined by members of the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG).

During the course of this year, social hostility concerning religion increased significantly with terrorist groups such as misrepresented religious groups, causing a great concern for the protection of youth and women. Having joined Chairman of HWPL Mr. Man Hee Lee’s peace movement since the World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Summit in 2014, Ms. Yashika Singh said, “I enjoyed the opportunity to engage with different media, both print and broadcast.

It is interesting to meet people that think the way that we do, that want to promote peace, to promote human values. I think it is not always easy to find those kind of journalists…” and added, “[Chairman Lee] has challenged people to start thinking differently and this is the first step to opening up dialogue.”

Following the speeches, participants listened to the HWPL representative who shared Mr. Lee’s message to the press and media of the world. This message powerfully stated that “The souls of the youth that have been sacrificed in wars are pleading. All creation is groaning,” and appealed, “Let us become messengers of peace, achieve world peace and the cessation of wars, and leave it as a legacy for future generations.”

On the day, Mr. Zanele Mashinini and Ms. Aadila Amod were appointed as HWPL Publicity Ambassadors. He expressed that peace is very important and said that, “What the Chairman is doing for Africa, and the world, is a priceless gift. We need to get the world calm and achieve harmony and live in peace. If God has given us an individual who is taking this mammoth task, it’s not going to be easy. We know brokering peace is not easy.”

After declaring the Declaration of World Peace in Seoul, South Korea on May 25, 2013, Mr. Lee, together with Ms. Nam Hee Kim, the Chairwoman of International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) have been working fervently towards the enactment of drafting an article on convention on renunciation and cessation of war and international armed conflicts as well as the unity of religion. Transcending boundaries, races, and religions, these two peace activists are changing the course of history as they gather leaders and media around the globe for these two purposes.

The first HWPL Media Forum in SA in collaboration with SABC TV Religion is the first of many. It is expected to have a positive effect on peace building in South Africa, the African Continent as well as the entire world.

Chairman of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light

Man Hee Lee

Chairman of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light

Korea

Nonprofit Organization Management

Current	Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL)
Previous	Republic of Korea

Chairman

Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL)

January 2013 – Present (2 years 8 months)

● Heavenly culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light
● Office of the Alliance of Religions
● World Alliance of religions: Peace (WARP) summit
● The Philippines Mindanao Peace Treaty & Peace Walk
● International Peace Youth Group: walk for peace restoration
● World Peace Festival in 2012
● World Peace Initiative in 2012
● Korean Declaration of Unification in 2010
● Guinness record Largest Hand-Printed Korean Flag (Taegukki) in Republic of korea, 2009

Designation of January 24th as ‘HWPL’ Day in Maguindanao, Philippines

Chairman of HWPL, Man Hee Lee

On May 25th 2015, Esmael “Toto” G. Mangudadatu Governor of Maguindanao passed the legislation to proclaim January 24^th of every year to be remembered and commemorated as ‘HWPL day’ of Maguindanao, a day of peace.

‘1.24 Mindanao Peace Agreement day’ or ‘HWPL day’ in Maguindanao, Philippines aims to commemorate the historic moment of signing peace agreement between Catholic and Islam representatives mediated by Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL to end 40-year conflict in Mindanao.

Afterwards, the street once filled with pains and sorrow, was then filled with laughter and joy of 3,000 youths marching for the International Peace Youth Walk Festival.

Legislation of January 24^th as ‘HWPL day’ is the extension of designating HWPL day in many regions around the world like Carson and Alexandria cities in United States and Bafokeng nation in South Africa. Acknowledging the work of peace HWPL is pursuing to truly bring World Peace, many regions are joining to legislate ‘HWPL day’ to celebrate a day of peace.

HWPL vows to keep building Peace beyond Religious Boundaries

Religious Leaders of Georgia Showed Strength of Unity for World Peace Tbilisi, On the 18th of March, ‘HWPL World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Office Meeting’ was held for the cessation of wars and world peace at GIPA Frontline Georgia in Tbilisi, capital city of Georgia.

  At the event hosted by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL, chairman Man Hee Lee), an international peace organization whose headquarter is located in the Republic of Korea, prominent religious leaders of Islam, Baptist Church, Judaism, Armenian Orthodox Church and representatives from Public Defender’s Office gathered together to converse about the differences of each religion.

  HWPL, an NGO registered under the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aims to bring wars to an end and to create a world of peace. Under HWPL, there are International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG, chairwoman Nam Hee Kim) and International Peace Youth Group (IPYG, director Du Hyun Kim).

  Under the theme of ‘Define true peace in your religion’, the peace dialogue was held for the religious leaders who have aspiration for peace to discuss practical solutions to achieving peace together. The participants including Aliev(Shia Islam), Zurab Tsetskhladze(Sunni Islam), Malkhaz Songulashvili(Baptist), Priest Narek Kushyan (Armenian Orthdodox) and Beka Mindiashvili (Public Defender’s Office) made a step forward to world peace.

  Deborah Oh (HWPL delegation), the modulator began the meeting saying “75-80% of the wars which has occurred in human history were due to religions. Although there have been conflicts because of misunderstandings among various religions, we can make a difference through conversation. Let’s open our hearts together and find out a true meaning of peace. I hope this will be a time for all of you to learn from one another.”

  Starting off with watching the video of peace movement of Mr. Man Hee Lee, chairman of HWPL and Ms. Nam Hee Kim to introduce the purpose of the event, they had time to define a true peace from religious perspectives. Zurab Tsetskhaldze (Sunni Islam leader, Georgia) said “we need to be a part of the World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Office’. Violence is prohibited in Islam. We should endeavor for world peace not just on the document but in reality.”

  Malkhaz Songulashvili, archbishop of the Evangelical Baptist Church of Georgia mentioned “Peace is important for Georgia, a neighboring country of Syria and Iraq. I hope this peace movement will accelerate making a practical foot step towards understanding different religions rather than just remaining as another project. That is the reason I am participating in this gathering.” After discussion, playing OX quiz on similarities and differences among religions added fun along with learning about each religion. The event was concluded with a peace agreement ceremony to pledge to bring all wars to an end and to become united regardless of religious boundaries for peace in Georgia and the whole world.

  What made the religious leaders decide to gather for this meeting was because of the success of the World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Summit hosted by HWPL which took place in Seoul, Republic of Korea last September. Mr. Man Hee Lee, the chairman of HWPL proposed to establish the Alliance of Religions’ Peace Office to be a neutral platform for leaders all around the world to deepen their understandings through discussion and transcend different ideologies to become one as a whole.

  On the next day, a meeting was held between HWPL’s Delegation and 19 representatives of various organizations including Georgian youth ICCN, City Hall Youth Department, Innovation Center at the Georgia University. These representatives also discussed about ways they could cooperate with IPYG, a youth division of HWPL to achieve world peace through setting up a Peace Office in the times to come. The fruitful nature of these meetings for peace shows promise and great growth in the near future. HWPL vows to keep building Peace beyond Religious Boundaries.

HWPL: Moro-Islamic Liberation Force (MILF) Starts Deactivating its armed forces: Actual Peace Building Process Begins

In June 2015, 145 soldiers of Moro-Islamic Liberation Force (‘MILF’) were successfully decommissioned and began their process of integrating back into the society, from the lives of soldiers regularly facing life-and-death situations to the lives of realizing their potentials as youths. First batches of weapons were handed over to the government as a part of peace-building process. Philippines and the rest of the world now dearly await for the Bangsamore Basic Law to be enacted for the MILF to live harmoniously with the people. 

Chairman Lee of HWPL, together with Chairwoman Kim of IWPG and the peace delegation, visited Philippines for the fifth time upon the special invitation from Hon. Esmael Toto Mangudadatu, governor of Maguindanao Province. At the 2^nd Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace held in the Province, the two Chairpersons delivered momentous speeches on peace and unity and congratulated the day of the signing of the Mindanao Peace Agreement back in January 2014. The agreement brought a cease-fire of a 40-year conflict in Mindanao and indirectly influenced the final decision of decommissioning of MILF members. Supreme Court Justice Sheikh Khalifa B. Nando of MILF also gave a thoughtful speech especially to thank Chairman Lee for his tremendous efforts to bring peace in the region. In his speech, he referred Chairman Lee as ‘our friend in the name of peace’ and ‘unsung hero’ who has made this peace-talk possible. This splendid achievement through partnership and cooperation will continue to serve to bring forth peace not only in the Philippines but in the entire world.

Phillip[ine rebel group turned in guns

 

WARP summit ended last year but it' message is continue to spreading through the wrold

September 19, 2014 was the last day of WARP summit, and 2nd press conference was held in which the Chairman of HWPL briefed to media participants about the achievements of WARP summit and answered their questions. WARP summit became the cornerstone for achieving world peace, by more than 600 religious leaders signing interfaith peace agreement.

To celebrate these achievements, Peace Walk was held at the Gate of Peace in Seoul Olympic Park, the same place where the 1stIPYG Peace Walk was held in 2013 and Chairman Mr. Lee read the Declaration of World Peace. Approximately 200,000 participants including IPYG affiliated youth from more than 100 countries participated to make one voice that international law should be enacted to cease all wars.

Mr. Man Hee Lee Advances Towards A Peaceful Unification Of The Korean Peninsula And The Cessation Of Wars Around The World

Political And Religious Leaders Exchange Ideas For Peacein Romania, A Country That Recently Celebrated The 25th Anniversary Of The Fall Of Communism. At The Pre-Inauguration Ceremony Of The Newly Elected President, Mr. Lee Addresses The Topic, “The Importance Of A Peaceful Policy For The Unification Of The Korean Peninsula”.

Mr. Man Hee Lee, a world peace advocate, the Chairman of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), and the initiator for the cessation of a 40-year conflict in Mindanao, Philippines, along with Ms. Nam Hee Kim, the Chairwoman of the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG), recently embarked on a peace journey to Romania, a country that recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of the fall of communism, to address the topic of the peaceful unification of the Korean peninsula and cessation of wars around the world.

Mr. Lee arrived on the 19th at the Otopeni Airport in Bucharest. He met the current religious leaders at the Conference Room in Bucharest Hilton Hotel and sought for their collaboration for the unity of religions. Attending were religious leaders by the name of Hassan Chalghoumi, RachidBirbach, Eric Max Gozlan, Ali Abi Issa, Mohamed Montaser Abdelaziz, Sheikh Ramzy, Murat Yusuf, RavAvimelech Rosenblatt, NatanTapliashvili, PéterFeldmájer—all from seven countries (France, Spain, Morocco, Tunisia, England, Romania, and Poland).

On the 20th, the second day, a dialogue with the youth and religious leaders took place at the Senate Hall of the Palace of the Parliament. Mr. Lee emphasized the enactment of the international law for world peace and cessation of wars and unity of religions.Following the dialogue, Mr. Lee met Romanian judicial officers, such as Judge PetreLazaroiu, one of the nine judiciaries of the Constitutional Court of Romania who hold the authority to adjudicate on the constitutionality of laws and guard the procedure for the election of the President of Romania. They discussed the roles of the legal circles in achieving world peace and cessation of wars.

Mr. Lee and Ms. Kim were invited to attend the pre-inauguration ceremony of president-elect Klaus Ionhannis on the 21st at the Senate Hall. Mr. Lee was the very first Korean to be officially invited as a distinguished guest at the ceremony. Both leaders delivered their speech concerning the peaceful unification of the Korean peninsula.

Aware of the previous national changes in Romania, Mr. Lee sought advice from the former president Emil Constantinescu and 25 other former and current presidents regarding the peaceful unification of the Korean peninsula. Mr. Lee also asked for their collaboration with HWPL, IWPG, and theInternational Peace Youth Group (IPYG)to achieve this peaceful unification as well as the cessation of wars and world peace. These contents were aired on the Romanian national television.

During Mr. Lee’s speech on “the necessity of a peaceful policy for the unification of the Korean peninsula,” he introduced HWPL as an organization that “strives for the enactment of the international law for cessation of wars across the entire world.” He added that “South and North Korea have made a cease-fire agreement due to the difference in ideologies and philosophies. To avoid this kind of situation, where a nation stands divided, we must push for an enactment of an international law that brings wars to an end.”

Mr. Lee continued, “I want to reveal that one of the many peace activities that HWPL is striving for is the very work of establishing a peaceful system in the Korean peninsula.” “A true democracy is when a government exists for the people. All citizens desire a peaceful world. Therefore, world peace is the highest feat that democracy can possibly achieve.”

Heavenly Culture World Peace Restoration of Light (HWPL) is a private and non-governmental organization (NGO) with an objective to achieve world peace and cessation of war. Under HWPL are the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) and the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG).

During September 17 through 19, HWPL hosted the World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Summit where 200,000 people participated for the cessation of wars and world peace. As for the notable figures from abroad, there were approximately 2,000 political leaders and women and youth group leaders and 700 religious leaders from 170 different nations. The highlight of the Summit was the Signing Ceremony for the Unity of Religions that took place on the 18th, whereMr. Man Hee Lee and Ms. Nam Hee Kim signed the Unity of Religion Agreement with world’s twelve renowned religious leaders of different denominations for the cessation of wars and world peace.

Mr. Man Hee Lee, the world peace activist, and Ms. Nam Hee Kim, the women’s peace activist, will continue leading the world peace movements starting from Romania where the successful results of the WARP Summit have been explicitly displayed. After their visit to Romania, the two leaders will return to the Republic of Korea on the 22nd. There are high hopes for their future activities as many notable figures around the world are rushing to take part in the peace activities with the two leaders.

HWPL Peace Conference

The 2014 Religious Leaders Peace Conference, a gathering of over 100 religious leaders and university students from across North America, was held at the Grand Event Center in Long Beach April 15.

The event was hosted by Heavenly Culture, World Peace and Restoration of Light (HWPL), an international non-profit organization based out of South Korea, whose goal is to put an end to war and restore peace through unconditional love and tolerance. In addition to a guest panel discussion and a united prayer by all faiths, there was a large contingency of influential religious who signed the HWPL Peace Treaty, the organization’s pledge to stop religious scrutiny and to work together toward peace.

Man Lee, chairman of HWPL, delivered the keynote speech. The 84-year-old South Korean war veteran has travelled to 58 countries advocating his message of peace. Lee served on the front lines during the three year war between North and South Korea and started HWPL movement to restore world peace through instilling a new, peaceful culture to the world. A heavenly culture.

“He is traveling the world to make sure the message of peace is reaching out to everybody,” said Imam Shamshi Ali, Head Imam of the Islamic Culture Center of New York and signee of this year’s HWPL Peace Treaty. “I think he is exceptional and courageous, with a young and strong spirit. Not many people are doing that.”

Lee drew scrutiny prior to a speech he delivered at Crystal Cathedral in July 2012 because in his literature he states that he “is the only person who saw and heard the events of Revelation and can testify to the mysteries of Revelation, exactly according to the Bible.”

The conference was part of Lee’s 9th world tour speaking to with religious and political leaders advocating for the end of wars and the start of world peace. The tour has been in part, an effort to promote and gather commitments from world leaders to attend HWPL’s upcoming World Alliance of Religions for Peace Summit in Seoul, South Korea scheduled for later this year.

More information about HWPL can be found on their website at www.hwpl.kr.

Bahrain signs Peace Declaration in Seoul

Seoul: Sept. 18 -- (BNA): The Kingdom of Bahrain's delegation alongside with twenty-eight other delegations from all over the world has signed the Peace Declaration here in Seoul.


The Declaration calls for shunning violence, ending wars. As per the Declaration, the League of Religions Associations from more than 12 religions from around the world will be established.

The Bahraini youth delegation signed with other participating youth and women's delegations on a Law for Establishment of Peace which will be submitted to all participating countries in order to activate the Declaration of Peace which had been signed earlier today by political and religious leaders participating in the global peace conference.

The conference organisers "HWPL" visited many countries in efforts to promote international peace and met the presidents of South Africa, Ethiopia, Colombia, Finland, Malawi and the Philippines. The organization aims to practically bring peace into conflict zones all over the world.
The conference is co-chaired by Man Hee Lee and the Chairwoman of the International Women’s Peace Group ("IWPG") along with representatives of the International Peace Youth Group ("IPYG") who made more than 13 trips to countries around the globe in order to promote peace and pave the way for a peaceful future in our world. 

The conference was attended by women and youth organisations, former presidents or heads-of-state, academicians, legislature members, religious and community leaders from all over the world.

HWPL, Advocating new era of world peace

 

 


 The World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Summit, which held from September 17 -19, 2014 in Seoul, was an event that opened a new chapter in the peace movement worldwide.

Theme of the event was “The Enactment of an International Law for the Cessation of Wars and Legacy of Peace and the World Alliance of Religions.”

This summit was groundbreaking in the sense that it presented; “the World Alliance of Religions” as a concrete proposition for realizing the cessation of wars and world peace.

The event presented a platform for realising peace worldwide – first is to sign the Unity of Religions Agreement, and the second is to present the Agreement to Propose the Enactment of an International Law for the Cessation of Wars and encourage political and religious leaders around the world to participate.

The WARP Summit was hosted by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL, Chairman Man Hee Lee), which is a purely non-governmental organization, and it was attended by more than 50 former and current heads of state including presidents, vice presidents, and prime ministers from all around the world.

Stjepan Mesic (former President of Croatia and former President of the Presidency of Yugoslavia), who was among the attendees, said, “This occasion where the heads of state and religious leaders came together for peace is unprecedented. Mr. Man Hee Lee’s idea is really amazing and excellent. This wonderful event will definitely play a positive role in bringing wars to an end and achieving world peace.”

The fact that over 680 religious leaders from 120 countries agreed on the idea of “the World Alliance of Religions” and that they came to the Republic of Korea all the way from foreign countries has a significant meaning in the history of religions. Giani Gurbachan Singh, Jathedar of the Akal Takht, emphasized in his speech at the opening ceremony that; “All scriptures are telling us that religions must unite. A religious leader who speaks of division and conflict is not a religious leader.”

The WARP Summit was actively supported by people from all walks of life. Since young people are the biggest victims of war, it is natural that over 600 representatives and members of youth organizations in 139 countries attended the event.

Also, women—whose sons and husbands participate in war—actively participated in the WARP Summit. The fact that women organizations, including the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG, Chairwoman Nam Hee Kim), played a key role in the event was enthusiastically received by the foreign press.

An anchorman of a famous broadcasting station, said, “I have often heard of the peace movement of Mr. Man Hee Lee, so I came to this event. The message that he delivered to the heads of state and religious leaders around the world for the cessation of wars and the achievement of world peace was impressive. The message of Ms. Nam Hee Kim saying that women are working together for world peace in the spirit of motherly love in order to protect children really touched my heart.”

On the first day of the WARP Summit, the opening ceremony was held at Seoul Olympic Stadium. The event was attended by approximately 200,000 people both inside and outside of the stadium, establishing itself as the biggest event ever for peace. The Card Section performance by 12,000 members of the youth organizations presented a spectacular view and delivered the message of peace to the whole world.

On-ground performances expressing the wish for peace also left an unforgettable impression on the attendees.

At the opening ceremony, a congratulatory video message from Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the spiritual leader of South Africa and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984, attracted much attention.

In his message, he said, “I would like to congratulated both Chairman Man Hee Lee and the members of HWPL for hosting the World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Summit. Thank you for delivering the message of peace and the cessation of wars to the whole world.”

The second day of the WARP Summit, religious leaders proclaimed they will transcend religion and denomination and embark upon the establishment of the unity of religions in order to bring about world peace. Twelve religious leaders, including Antonio Ledesma (Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro, Philippines), Swami Chidanand Saraswati (the president of Parmarth Niketan Ashram), Martin De Jesus Barahona (Bishop of the Anglican Episcopal Church of El Salvador), and Giani Gurbachan Singh (Jathedar of the Akal Takht), participated in the signing ceremony of the Unity of Religions Agreement.

Through this agreement, they declared to work with people all around the world to realize world peace through the unity of religions, saying, “All religions must unite as one under the name of God.”

Representatives from different nations gave speeches under the theme of “Religious Conflicts and World Peace” on that day. The event was attended by heads of state, ambassadors, and other dignitaries. Five group sessions also took place that afternoon to encourage participants to share methods of cooperation to achieve the cessation of wars and world peace. Representatives from each nation including political and religious leaders, prime ministers, and chief justices attended the various sessions.

The Agreement to propose the Enactment of an International Law was declared along with Unity of Religions Agreement, and political leaders and government officials of the world pledged to be on the frontlines of spreading the necessity of enacting an international law to bring cessation of wars.

On the last day of the event, a total of 200,000 people, including the participants of the Summit, the members of youth and women’s groups, and local citizens, participated in the Walk for World Peace near Seoul Olympic Park.

This event, hosted by the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), commemorated the huge success of the World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Summit, attended by about 600 members from youth and women groups representing organizations in 139 countries.

Mr. Man Hee Lee, the chairman of HWPL, emphasized the realization of the cessation of wars and world peace through the unity of religions in numerous meetings with the media. This was stressed in a press conference with foreign media that took place on the day before the opening ceremony.

Another press conference with national and international reporters was held at the conclusion of the Summit on the 19th. Mr. Lee said that through the World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Summit, “The wars within humanity can be avoided by the determination in our hearts, and we can accomplish a world of peace to leave as a legacy for our future generations.”

He also brought attention to the role of those of faith, the religious people, for this purpose. Mr. Lee also encouraged the media from different countries of the world to frequently report on the peace agreement signed at the Peace Summit.