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.

IWPG: International Women's Peace Group

The main goal of IWPG is to achieve world peace. All of mankind longs for peace and throughout the history of the world countless sacrifices have been made for peace; however, the world is still in desperate need of peace and unification.

People may define peace in different ways, but we must reach a consensus on how to share and establish peace.

When everyone works together for peace, regardless of how great or small, we can bring about change within ourselves, and even bring forth the power to save lives.

Behind every great world leader there has been a great mother, demonstrating the very nature of all mothers – providing love and healing for their families. Thus, IWPG was created and carries out works with the loving heart of a mother, in hopes of becoming a bridge towards world peace.

The purpose of SHE CAN project is to instill peace in the hearts and minds of everyone across the globe. The programs of SHE CAN are created and organized to bring forth happiness, solicitude, healing and forgiveness.
Like the moon that reflects the light from the sun onto the earth, IWPG will shine its light to all the corners of the earth, ultimately working to create a truly peaceful world.

SHE CAN! Women can do it! Thank you.

The Mar Elias Becomes the First HWPL Peace Academy

While the world, especially the Middle Eastern nations, is full of grievances and fury due to the armed violence perpetrated by terrorists, a flurry of anticipation filled the Mar Elias Educational Institutions of over 3,000 students and faculty on Wednesday, December 2nd. The institutions were designated, for the first time in history, as the Peace Academies of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL). HWPL is an international non-profit registered under UN Department of Information.

A three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee and former Archbishop of the Melkite Catholic Church, Father Elias Chacour is a founder and principal of the schools of the Mar Elias Educational Institutions (MEEI) established in Ibillin, an Arab town in the Northern District of Israel. Fr. Chacour, an active Publicity Ambassador of HWPL, has cooperated to establish the World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Office in Israel and united the MEEI high school students with HWPL’s youth division, International Peace Youth Group (IPYG).  

The MEEI consists of students and faculty from various faiths such as Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Druze heritage. Fr. Chacour has put forth his effort to build schools to educate children of all ethnic and religious backgrounds in the ways of peace, reconciliation, respect, and justice. His commendable efforts to promote peace among youths have led to the honorable recognition of MEEI becoming the first HWPL Peace Academy. 

Mr. Man Hee Lee, a world-renowned peace advocate as well as founder and Chairman of HWPL, and Chairwoman of the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG), Ms. Nam Hee Kim met with Fr. Chacour, students of the MEEI, and religious leaders. Chairman Lee will serve as a honorary principal and Chairwoman Kim as a vice-principal of the MEEI. The two chairpersons have tirelessly pursued the work of peace that transcends borders, ethnicities, religions and that empowers a new generation of leaders to be active proponents of world peace. 

Chairman Lee emphasized about the importance of education in establishing peace, “Peace is something that blossoms from the hearts of each individual and can be achieved through the changes of perception from proper education. When we accept the word - peace - and when children get closely acquainted with the term above any other through school curricula, the world where every individual can live peacefully will be fulfilled quicker than ever before.” 

At the designation ceremony, Chairwoman Kim appealed to the students, “IWPG has dedicated full efforts in providing education about peace and further collaborated with HWPL to ensure this education be incorporated into curriculum in each institute. People in all sectors of the society, NGOs promoting peace along with schools, need to collaborate with HWPL professionally to teach our youth about the work of peace. Please have pride in being part of the first designated HWPL Peace Academy. I sincerely congratulate you."

The establishment of the HWPL Peace Institute through the MEEI in Israel will serve as a comprehensive program which provides an educational framework on interfaith conflict analysis and resolution, interfaith peace dialogue sessions, and alliance of religions through the World Alliance of Religions Peace (WARP) Office. HWPL will work to design programs and courses to enhance the peacemaking capacities of individuals and organizations from various faiths through the WARP Office events and will highlight HWPL’s most recent peacemaking efforts.

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.