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 TheK Hotel in Seoul, South Korea on 19 September. Over 1,300 people including religious leaders were in attendance at the conference which was a part of the 2019 World Peace Summit. HWPL is hosting HWPL World Alliance of Religions Peace (WARP) Office meetings and Religion Peace Camps around the world.
It’s time to show their achievements and search for ways of improvement. It’s not visible, but the world has changed a lot. If you want to see more specific?
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.”
2019 Conference for the Implementation of the Declaration
“Legislate Peace” – Implementation of the DPCW for Sustainable Development
On the 19th, the second day of the 2019 World Peace Summit, experts and citizens gathered to share the achievements and focused on the “Legislate Peace” (LP) project. They were creating a huge stream of peace.
Mr. Man Hee Lee, Chairman of HWPL, explained the necessity of introducing new provisions of peace to international law by stating, “It is no small task to introduce new provisions to international law. Then we need to know why new ones are needed. This is because wars cannot be ceased with current international law, and if so, peace cannot come to the world. Current international law makes exceptions for the use of force, so wars cannot be ceased. The HWPL International Law Peace Committee, which is composed of world-renowned experts in law, drafted the DPCW. If you think its content is needed for humanity to live and better than the present, it should be carried out.”.
Since the founding of IWPG in 2013, many diverse peace activities and campaigns to spread the culture of peace has been held for the realization of world peace and for the peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula. As a part of creating the policy for the realization of world peace, we must lead the children and youth, who will be the future leaders, into a culture of peace.
In order to create a wind of peace, the the 1st International Loving-Peace Art Competition under the theme, “Peace, let’s be friends!”, was planned and held last year and hosted for the 2nd time this year. Starting this year, the event expanded internationally and is currently being recognized as a high quality event, not only in Korea but also internationally.
I had a lot of fun watching the Drumline when I was young.
2nd Award Ceremony of “International Loving-Peace Art Competition”
It’s a 1st prize-winning painting.
I want these children to grow up and live in peace. The best thing we can do is to leave peace as a legacy to future generations. No one knows, but IWPG strives for peace like this. As peace NGOs like IWPG are moving, peace can surely be achieved.
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) has been registered with the United Nations and is now Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and associated with the UN Department of Global Communications (DGC).
HWPL has 170 branches, 158 advisors, 506 publicity ambassadors and over 200,000 volunteers worldwide. HWPL makes worldwide efforts to eliminate war, and is known as the most accomplished NGO in the short run among peace organizations.
Suwon World Cup Stadium (Big Bird)
Built in 2001, the Suwon World Cup Stadium (수원월드컵경기장) is a football stadium in the South Korean city of Suwon. People call it Bigbird because when seen from above, the stadium looks like a bird.
Location: 456, Uman-dong, Paldal-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
Capacity: 43,959
Field size: 425,000 m² (site) 66,595 m² (floorage)
Mr. Man Hee Lee, Chairman of HWPL, proclaimed a message of peace filled with passion through his opening speech by saying “Five years ago, at the WARP Summit, Political leaders pledged to work towards an international legal document for peace and cessation of war, religious leaders pledged to achieve the alliance of religions, and heads of various organizations pledged to urge for the completion of this work.
We are working to keep that promise now. The event is held at the same time in many countries around the world. These efforts will shine in the history of the world and we must be united to achieve the promised purpose (of peace). Let the DPCW be presented and passed to the UN General Assembly as international law of peace. We Are One!”
In particular, events are being held simultaneously in 110 countries, including Korea. Despite the over 10 billion won cost to prepare for the event, the stadium’s action to cancel such events seems to be really problematic.
Also, my friend who was watching at the scene was also very uncomfortable. The sound of loudspeakers from outside the stadium and constant criticism of HWPL events have inconvenienced the 50,000 spectators inside the stadium.
Due to the act of the group shouting outside the stadium, She could not hear well the speech that was conducted inside the stadium, especially the electronic boards installed on the left and right sides of the stadium were turned off, and it was very sad that She could not see the event as a video such as the card section that showed off the event.
It was so sad that the light board was off.
In order for peace to be achieved, I think the level of our culture should be higher. Next time, I expect to have a mature culture, not to disturb the peace event.
Under the theme, Expanding 3.7 Billion Women’s Network for Support and Advocacy of the DPCW and Peaceful Unification of the Korean Peninsula, approximately 1,000 women from home and abroad attended the 2019 International Women’s Peace Conference.
IWPG Chairwoman Hyun Sook Yoon gave a speech which highlighted the important role given to the 3.7 billion women around the world. She urged women to take an active role as peace advocates along with the IWPG.
“Although we couldn’t be part of the independence movement, now we can be part of the peace movement — the greatest cause of our time, which can lead to the cessation of wars and a peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula. Why shouldn’t we be the ones who protect the lives of our children and prevent any more lost lives? I ask you to send a call to action to the presidents of your respective countries so that they will sign in support of the DPCW and bring forth global peace and the cessation of war. Let your fellow citizens also see that the 10 articles and 38 clauses of the DPCW embody the solution for peace. Help encourage them to support the DPCW as you do and put the nation on track to becoming a leading country in peace works.”
Giani Harpreet Singh Ji Jathedar (Head), from Sri Akal Takht Sahib urged all to look past religions and beliefs and become one to achieve peace by saying, “I, on behalf of all the Sikhs of the world, give my good wishes to HWPL for attainment of their noble objectives for DPCW to be submitted to the UN General Assembly as a draft resolution and to become a legally binding instrument. Through the World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Office meetings, Religious leaders are discussing the spirit of peace written in scriptures to step forward onto the road of world peace.”
2019 World Peace Summit: 5th Anniversary of the WARP Summit
This peace festival was held at Suwon World Cup Stadium (Korea) and was broadcast live to a worldwide audience. And “Legislate Peace” Campaign was conducted in 113 countries, 166 locations, 211 events. [138 countries participated] I certainly recommend seeing it in person. Because knowing and feeling are very different. Especially, I recommend you see the IPYG Card Section and Media Facade.
IPYG Card Section and Media Facade at the 2019 World Peace Summit ❤❤
Mr. Man Hee Lee, Chairman of HWPL, proclaimed a message of peace filled with passion through his opening speech by saying “Five years ago, at the WARP Summit, Political leaders pledged to work towards an international legal document for peace and cessation of war, religious leaders pledged to achieve the alliance of religions, and heads of various organizations pledged to urge for the completion of this work. We are working to keep that promise now. The event is held at the same time in many countries around the world. These efforts will shine in the history of the world and we must be united to achieve the promised purpose (of peace). Let the DPCW be presented and passed to the UN General Assembly as international law of peace. We Are One!”
![A STEP TOWARDS PEACE [IWPG] The 2nd Award Ceremony of "International Loving-Peace Art Competition" Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace](http://www.peacestep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IWPG-International-Loving-Peace-Art-Competition-5-1024x577.jpg "A STEP TOWARDS PEACE Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace")
![A STEP TOWARDS PEACE [IWPG] The 2nd Award Ceremony of "International Loving-Peace Art Competition" Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace](http://www.peacestep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IWPG-International-Loving-Peace-Art-Competition-1-1024x577.jpg "A STEP TOWARDS PEACE Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace")
![A STEP TOWARDS PEACE [IWPG] The 2nd Award Ceremony of "International Loving-Peace Art Competition" Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace](http://www.peacestep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IWPG-International-Loving-Peace-Art-Competition-2-1024x577.jpg "A STEP TOWARDS PEACE Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace")
![A STEP TOWARDS PEACE [IWPG] The 2nd Award Ceremony of "International Loving-Peace Art Competition" Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace](http://www.peacestep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IWPG-International-Loving-Peace-Art-Competition-3-1024x577.jpg "A STEP TOWARDS PEACE Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace")
![A STEP TOWARDS PEACE [IWPG] The 2nd Award Ceremony of "International Loving-Peace Art Competition" Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace](http://www.peacestep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IWPG-International-Loving-Peace-Art-Competition-4-1024x577.jpg "A STEP TOWARDS PEACE Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace")
![A STEP TOWARDS PEACE [IWPG] The 2nd Award Ceremony of "International Loving-Peace Art Competition" Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace](http://www.peacestep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IWPG-International-Loving-Peace-Art-Competition-7-1024x577.jpg "A STEP TOWARDS PEACE Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace")
![A STEP TOWARDS PEACE [IWPG] The 2nd Award Ceremony of "International Loving-Peace Art Competition" Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace](http://www.peacestep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IWPG-International-Loving-Peace-Art-Competition-9-1024x768.jpg "A STEP TOWARDS PEACE Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace")
![A STEP TOWARDS PEACE [IWPG] The 2nd Award Ceremony of "International Loving-Peace Art Competition" Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace](http://www.peacestep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IWPG-International-Loving-Peace-Art-Competition-6-1024x577.jpg "A STEP TOWARDS PEACE Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace")
![A STEP TOWARDS PEACE [IWPG] The 2nd Award Ceremony of "International Loving-Peace Art Competition" Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace](http://www.peacestep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IWPG-International-Loving-Peace-Art-Competition-10-1024x768.jpg "A STEP TOWARDS PEACE Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace")
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