KNATCOM is the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO. She is the Secretary General Kenya National Commission for UNESCO Dr. Evangeline Njoka, 5 years ago. Their Mission is “to promote building of peace, eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intellectual dialogue through education, sciences, culture, communication and information.”
@NatcomUnescoKe promoting Peace Education to TVET ASPnet Patrons during a knowledge sharing workshop that was held at the Kenya Education Management Institute (KEMI). pic.twitter.com/1bcQGZyLFE
“1st Peace Educator Workshop for the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO (KNATCOM) in 2019” took place in Kenya Education Management Institute on 11, December. Hosted by KNATCOM HWPL, this workshop was organized by an international NGO named HWPL affiliated with the UN ECOSOC. 34 people including principal education officer of the Ministry of Education, deputy director of programme of KNATCOM and educators from UNESCO associated schools participated in the event.
The workshop was devoted to enabling educators from UNESCO associated schools to experience and practice peace value education in the fields through presentation sessions on peace education materials and pilot class.
A. HWPL says that peace education serves as a global platform with the aim of “leaving peace as a legacy to the future generations” by raising awareness of building peace from citizens and fostering a culture of peace to challenge the threat from war and violence.
Ms. Dorah Kitala, principal education officer of Ministry of Education said, “Peace education textbooks and the curricula are innovative. After the demonstration, I could feel that peace education is necessary for Kenya and would work with HWPL in the future.”
With the need for teaching values of peace to Kenyan students, 20 educators from UNESCO associated schools signed an agreement, which says they teach the right character for those who would carry the future of the country and to disperse peace education in Kenya. HWPL, KNATCOM and the Ministry of Education of Kenya are considering formalizing peace education activities throughout the country.
She is Kimberley Kleczka, Author, Radio Presenter, Songwriter, and Entertainer. Many years ago, she thought about developing a character that could help educate and entertain the children and youth of the world.
“My goal is to teach children about other cultures, languages, food, nature and life lessons and provide cool information and facts about the amazing world we live in.” – Kimberley Kleczka
What does Koolamundo mean? Let’s break it down for you… Koola = Kool (as in “cool dude”) +Mundo = World in Spanish. Together you get my tagline, “It’s a Kool World.”
Hong Kong Peace Puppetry Workshop
On October 20th, the Peace Puppetry Workshop was hosted by St. Barnabas Society and Home in Hong Kong, where the conflict on freedom and human rights is becoming more intense. Twenty-nine people attended the event, including children, the founder of Koolamundo, and a University of Hong Kong graduate student, who was a project volunteer.
Mengxia Gao, a University of Hong Kong graduate student who was in charge of the play, said she was impressed by the event and that it was a wonderful opportunity for children to learn about peace while playing. Kimberley Kleczka, the founder of Koolamundo, mentioned that “The play was meaningful since it helps to understand the moral instructions behind the story.”
Just like how the children learned about respecting diversity and peace through the Peace Puppetry Workshop, HWPL’s peace education aims to instill a value system focused around peace so students can have the correct understanding of peace and take the lead in spreading a culture of peace.
What comes to your mind when you think about your school days? What did you do? I think all I did was eating, studying and playing with my friends.
Let’s take a look at what these 80 students have done.
DPCW Article 10 : Spreading the Culture of Peace
To celebrate United Nations Day, 24 October, students of Bethel Knox paraded in a variety of costumes representing different cultures and nations. Paraders dressed in respective national dresses marched and chanted, “Spread the culture of peace,” the title of the 10th article of the DPCW, stirring air of hope amongst the audience for a world united with peace.
There is a reason why this is more meaningful. The Philippines has a history of many conflicts and wars. So people have a longing for peace in their hearts. These are expressed in children’s pure behavior. What happens when these kids grow up? Will the world change?
Philippines is changing
Bethel Knox students recently started taking the HWPL Peace Education program, and their faces gleamed with excitement and anticipation for a future of peace throughout the event. Bethel Knox is offering the HWPL Peace Education program to inspire students with the spirit of peace and nurture future peace activists.
Peace Education is set to serve as a building block to bring people of diverse ethnicities and cultures together to call for peace. Students who finish the Peace Education courses will become the beacon of a brighter and more peaceful future.
After the parade, students presented dance performances to celebrate “a day of marching toward peace,” followed by a multicultural feast with international cuisines including a boodle fight, a traditional Filipino meal.
I hope that this will serve as an opportunity to think about what we can do about peace. 🙂 Supporting DPCW is one way.
Sikhism is one of the five major religions of the world, and the temple in Pocheon is the only Sikh temple in Korea. Sikhism is a faith whose followers are called “Sikhs”. The word Sikh means Student or Discipline. Their holy book is the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Sikhs believe in reincarnation and karma concepts found in Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. Population of Sikhs in the world is around 27 million. Out of these 27 million approximately 83% live in India with 76% of all Sikhs living in Punjab.
HWPL Religious Youth Peace Camp: Sikhism
The HWPL Religious Youth Peace Camp (Religious Camp) took place on October 26th, at a Sikh temple in the city of Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do, with the purpose of understanding different religious cultures and of wishing for peace.
HWPL Religious Youth Peace Camp is a program developed to overcome religious differences and to spread peace awareness by promoting dialogues and cultural exchanges between religions, going beyond races, beliefs, and ideologies. Seventy-two people attended this religious peace camp along with 40 IPYG members, to experience various aspects of Sikh culture in its etiquette, worship, and dining.
Babaji Sovinder Singh from Gurudwara Shri Singh Sabha Sahib said, “Sikhism teaches us that we should all have to be like brothers to the same parents. If we go in this direction, world peace will surely be achieved. I believe that peace that HWPL purposes to achieve and our teachings are in the same direction. On behalf of Sikhism, I would like to thank you for your efforts.”
An IPYG participant, Kim Tae-jin (29), said, “It was my first time experiencing a Sikh service, and making chapati was very fun. I had a good impression today in particular because the Sikhs welcomed us with such bright smiles.”
I think it is really important to experience different cultures. Then we can broaden our horizons, broaden our thoughts, and understand others. It’s just behind the times in a narrow-minded way. 🙂
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2019 to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for his efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation, and in particular for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring Eritrea. The prize is also meant to recognise all the stakeholders working for peace and reconciliation in Ethiopia and in the East and Northeast African regions.
After he heard the news of the award of Nobel Peace Prize, he said “I was so humbled and thrilled when I just heard the news. Peace is a very expensive commodity in my country.” (If you want to hear more)
Aron Simeneh / PM Abiy Ahmed at an inauguration event in Addis Ababa
When Abiy Ahmed became Prime Minister in April 2018, he made it clear that he wished to resume peace talks with Eritrea. In close cooperation with Isaias Afwerki, the President of Eritrea, Abiy Ahmed quickly worked out the principles of a peace agreement to end the long “no peace, no war” stalemate between the two countries.
Peace does not arise from the actions of one party alone. When Prime Minister Abiy reached out his hand, President Afwerki grasped it, and helped to formalise the peace process between the two countries. In Ethiopia, even if much work remains, Abiy Ahmed has initiated important reforms that give many citizens hope for a better life and a brighter future.
In line with this joyful news, there are so many efforts to achieve peace in Ethiopia.
On the 19th of October, the 2019 Ethiopia Peace Press Forum was held at the meeting hall of IPSS in Ethiopia, and Ethiopian journalists were in attendance. The theme of the forum was the “Realization of Peace Journalism and Public Journalism.”
They emphasized the role of a journalist in spreading the news of peace. Attendees also discussed freedom of expression based on Article 19 of the Declaration of Human Rights.
In addition, the journalists who attended the forum wrote and signed the Pledge of Peace Initiative, in which they promised to deliver peace news through the platform called Peace Initiative (PI) (http://peaceinitiative.net) and participate in peace projects. HWPL is running a Peace Initiative platform with journalists all over the world. This platform raises awareness of peace based on social atmosphere and the freedom of speech and press, and aims to ensure that the news of peace, which contributes to conflict resolution, can be delivered to people from all over the world.
Mr. Zelalem Girma, the Senior Editor to the Ethiopian Herald and who has participated in the Peace Initiative, emphasized the importance of a peace news channel saying, “Peace Initiative (PI) is a global journalist network in efforts of facilitating a culture of peace as contribution to conflict resolution and peace building through press freedom and freedom of information stipulated in the UN resolutions and international agreements. Individual journalists and media agencies affiliated with PI dedicate to spreading news of peace to enhance human rights and protect democracy.”
2018 Addis Ababa Summit
On 9th of July, 2018, Ethiopia and Eritrea declared an end to the conflict that has been raging for 20 years, thus promoting further peace and prosperity within Africa. Immediately after that, the work of peace was done quickly. The 2018 Addis Ababa Summit was held in Medium CR, African Union Commission and co-hosted by international organizations including the Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices (IAC), the International Law Association (ILA) and HWPL. Politicians from Africa and the Middle East discussed the need for an international law for peace to bring out stability in the region and promote peace-related projects at all levels of society.
Mrs. Dagmawit Moges, Deputy Mayor of Addis Ababa’s municipal government, gave a speech at the event and addressed the participants saying, “Addis Ababa city administration has a deep conviction that the launching of peace education in the universities could help promote harmony among students regardless of their nationalities, cultural background and religions.” She emphasized the necessity of the integration of peace education and also stated that the City Administration will pledge to extend every support necessary to institutions engaged in the implementation of this peace education project. An MOU agreeing to implement HWPL’s peace education curriculum was also signed by the university representatives in attendance laying the foundation for peace education in Ethiopia.
The country has been locked in conflict since 2013 when President Salva Kiir fired his then Vice-President Riek Machar. A peace deal signed in September 2018 has never been implemented. In the five years of conflict, nearly 400,000 people have been killed and more than four million have fled the country. Will peace come to South Sudan like magic?
HWPL Media Forum in South Sudan
‘The 1st HWPL Media Forum’ in South Sudan took place at The Dawn Newspaper Office in Juba, South Sudan on the 31st of August. The HWPL Media Forum is where journalists discuss what they can practically do for peace and development of the society. At the forum, journalists, youth leaders and all participants discussed the role of public education for peacebuilding and made an action plan.
Samir Abdalkarim Bol Monok, the president of The Mail, said that, “We should not write wrong information and should check it before releasing it to public consumption. In that sense, the forum is good for us to bring peace among our communities.”
Jukeji Paul, a newscaster of SSBC, said that, “We as journalists can a play big role in bringing peace to the world, especially by working together with citizens and governments.”
The 7th HWPL Intercontinental Online WARP Office Meeting is held now. The topic is “About Food.” Food is inextricably linked with culture.
It is also an inseparable element in Religion. We hope that through this time, we will be able to understand and communicate the teachings of each religion through the meaning of food.
I will introduce some about WARP Office. The Intercontinental Online WARP Office meeting is a special platform where panelists, representing their respective religions, from around the globe gather to discuss their religious scriptures in the spirit of peace. You also can participate in the discussion to ask any questions.
Aren’t you curious about what each scripture is saying?
Session 1 : Islam, Sikhism and Hinduism
Date: Nov. 21 2019, UTC 6:00~8:00
Session 2 : Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism
Date: Nov. 21 2019, UTC 13:00~15:00
What is HWPL WARP Office?
I’m trying to explain briefly to some people who don’t know. In WARP Summit 2014, certain politicians and religious people get together and promise each other something to do for peace. At the center was HWPL Chairman Man Hee Lee.
HWPL then figured out the fundamental reason why conflicts between religions are caused by misunderstanding, and worked on the comparison of the scriptures of each religion. It is the HWPL WARP Office. Conversation on the basis of the scripture is to enhance mutual understanding and to bring religious people together first.
At the 2019 world peace summit, HWPL Chairman Man Hee Lee encouraged other religious leaders to join the HWPL WARP Office meetings by saying “let us gather and compare scriptures to fulfill our goal. We need a common standard to compare scriptures. You have to judge for yourself. Religions cannot achieve harmony until we have a common understanding of scriptures. HWPL WARP Office meetings must do this.”
Australia is the world’s 6th largest country by area. Due to its large size and isolation from the rest of the world, Australia is sometimes known as the ‘island continent’. The largest cities in Australia are Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. A desert area known as the ‘outback’ covers much of the land. (Ref)
And the Great Barrier Reef is the largest eco-system in the world. The wind of peace is blowing in Australia, where the natural scenery and big cities are excellent.
Sydney, “Peace Heroes of History” Conference
Sydney, September 8, 2019
8th of September, 2019, Sydney held its Peace Conference “Peace Heroes of History.” The Peace Conference had three sub-sections, and began by celebrating and paying tribute to the work of revolutionary peace heroes the world has seen in the past, such as Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Imam Hussein.
The next segment showcased the incessant work of peace icons, global spiritual leaders and peace activists of today, such as the 14th Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh and Man Hee Lee, Chairman, HWPL. The final section focused on the future and explored the next steps for peace. They discussed how to establish the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), and what role each layer can play for peace.
Melbourne, all-day ‘Peace, Harmony and Environmental Sustainability’ peace fair
Melbourne, September 8, 2019
HWPL Melbourne & IPYG have hosted several peace activities in the last 5 years, in the Melbourne CBD, St Kilda, City of Port Phillip, Manningham and White Horse, including city clean-up drive, tree planting volunteer work, youth peace walks and Youth Ethnic Sports – YES for Peace, monthly WARP office interfaith dialogue forums.
Brisbane, a flash-mob dance in Queens Garden
Brisbane, September 7, 2019
Based on the 10th Article of the DPCW, Spreading a Culture of Peace, members of the community and several peace organizations came together to dance on the theme “Make Your Mark”, to encourage members of the society to begin taking definitive steps for peace.
I think that the present peace has been achieved because there is someone who is trying for peace. We are perhaps standing on the shoulders of many people. First of all, I would like to thank HWPL Australia for trying to make peace, and this is not just happening in Australia.
With a worldwide phenomenon, no one can stop the enormous flow of peace. We can do it! You can do it! We are one!
Berlin, Germany, The Conference for the Sustainable Peace
On the September 9th and 10th 2019, the “5th Annual Commemoration of the September 18th World Peace Summit” was held in Hilton Berlin, Germany hosted by Heavenly Culture World Peace Restoration of Light (HWPL), an international peace NGO, in cooperation with international community organizations and governments.
The Summit was joined by 100 participants including Former Prime Minister of East Germany, the Ambassador of South Sudan in Germany and delegates from the government of Germany and Romania, legal experts, religious leaders, and representatives from media, youth, and civil society.
Topic is that “The Spreading of Culture of Peace in Europe”
However, it is a century plagued by conflict, terrorism, extremism, fundamentalism and all types of threats created by mankind, as a result of differences in ideology, religion and culture.
In this regard, there is an acute need to implement a culture of peace and the adjoining education efforts. Implementing a culture of peace is easy, as long as people and institutions are dedicated to fully endorsing it. Campaigns must be performed in order to raise the awareness among people, from the youngest to the oldest, that peace is the ultimate solution in the face of disaster.
The very words ”peace” and ”cessation of war” have inside the roots of establishing a new international community, one that would be open to dialogue and that would thus prosper. Peace brings prosperity; war brings financial collapse.
People from Various Sectors Gathered in Fiji to Call for Sustainable Peace and Development
The “2019 HWPL World Peace Summit” was held at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, Fiji, on September 3rd with the theme of “Legislate Peace – Implementation of the DPCW for Sustainable Development.” In attendance were the representatives of women and youth organizations, religious leaders, media, and political leaders, including the Minister of Youth and Sports and the Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports.
The participants discussed the necessity of bringing peace in the South Pacific Islands and the plan to urge the heads of each state in the South Pacific Islands to cooperate with the peace projects. After the MOU signing ceremony between HWPL and media outlets including ‘The Island Sun’ of Solomon Islands and ‘Nuku’alofa Times’ of Tonga, about 100 participants wrote letters to support the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW).
Through the “Legislate Peace” projects, HWPL has received supporting signatures and peace letter responses from various sectors of global society including Tuvalu and Kiribati among the South Pacific nations.
The 5th International Religious Leaders Conference was held at the 2019 World Peace Summit. It is to present their achievements and search for ways of improvement.
The religious leaders conference was held in different regions around the world and South Korean religious leaders also came together under the topic of “Religious Peace through the Spread of a Culture of Comparative Scriptural Studies”. All the participants are an example to other religious people in ending religious conflicts and achieving peace.
Imam Abdulganiyi Ibraheem who has been at Seoul Yongsan Mosque Al Imam for the past 20 years and a participant of the WARP Office meetings since 2018 said, “however WARP Office’s Scripture discussion tries to see and listen to other Scripture from objective perspective in an atmosphere not criticizing one another as presenting according to each Scripture instead of claiming their own experience and value system.”
