On January 19, an interfaith dialogue with religious representatives from Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Hinduism discussed the role of religion in making a peaceful world. Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), an international NGO affiliated with the UN ECOSOC, held the 32nd interfaith dialogue in Bangkok.
“We talk about dialogues based on scriptures, which is very important part of peacebuilding to individual person. It is also important to understand that we have to build peace within ourselves first, the inner quality of person,” said Sathit Kumarn, president of Ramakrishna Vedanta Society of Thailand and advisor the National Legislative Assembly in Thailand.
Dialogue of Scriptures
In the meeting, the panel discussion was carried on. “The founder of religion (The Messenger) can’t teach from his own knowledge, they have to teach only from the will of the heaven which is revealed to them from God,” said Dr. Husni Hamad. Also, one pastor said “The founder of religion should not teach from his own knowledge but on the basis of the which the person has received from heaven.”
“What is required is to think about how to make people as human being and teach the values of human being. It can be establishing religious studies in schools and build programs regarding human development together with spiritual enhancement,” said Mr. Kumarn.
For HWPL, the year 2017 was a quantum leap forward. Peace advocacy projects are spreading all around the world. The Legislate Peace Campaign is to establish an international law for peace. And the WARP Offices are to work for religious harmony. HWPL and its peace messengers are working together to convey this news to their peers around the world. Our progress can be attributed to the journalists who contributed to spreading the news of peace in every corner of the world. Let’s meet MVPs.
Key Peace Messengers in 2017
Brother Francis Monari Kerongo President of Horizon Over Walls (H.O.W.) Foundation
Brother Francis from Kenya held the first Hour of Peace (H.O.P.E.)Seminar in Kisii, Kenya last July with about 90 students at Kisii University. This seminar consisted of 5 different seminars, each teaching the important values of peace such as understanding, equity, sharing, cooperation and peace. Through these seminars the students can realize how to practice peace in their daily lives
“After attending this year’s WARP Summit, Brother Francis was inspired to continue this work as a messenger of peace for HWPL and bring the H.O.P.E. Seminars to other universities.”
Culture of peace could spread throughout Kenya!!!
Grand Mufti Romas Jakubauskas Grand Mufti/Chairman of Sunni Muslim Religious Centre in Lithuania
Grand Mufti Romas Jakubauskas, Grand Mufti and Chairman of the Sunni Muslim Religious Centre in Lithuania has recognized what? Religiousleaders should take the lead! For this reason, in joint coordination with HWPL, the Religious Youth Peace Camp was hosted in June 2017 in Lithuania. The youth can get the opportunity to actively participate in peace culture. They also operated the WARP Office in a Muslim mosque.
Chairman Jakubauskas, regarding the responsibility for the peace movement, stated, “Religious leaders, of course because they are the leaders of their community, so they have to more effortlessly for their achievements of these goals. They have to teach their communities and of course they themselves have to meet with other religious leaders to find the solution for the problems in the world. So, the biggest problem is to try to find solution for how to stop conflicts and wars in the world.”
Spreading a culture of peace with
The Most Rev. Wattegama Dhammawasa Nayaka Thero President of Sri Subodharama International Buddhist Center
After attending the 3rd Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit, the Most Rev. Wattegama Dhammawasa Nayaka Thero, President of Sri Subodharama International Buddhist Center, sponsored “Mini WARP Summitin” and the “1st Religious Youth Peace Camp” in the city of Kandy.
He has stated, “I am so happy about the peace organization, HWPL. I am [attending] the annual summit for 2014~2017. Actually, the alliance of religious leaders pursued by HWPL is greatly engaging many religious leaders in this world. Because in all of the world, in every country, many religious leaders gathered at one place and they are working together as one family.
I think this event [will have] a very good result in the future in this world. I think I met so many different religious leaders, because I knew a few religious leaders in Sri-Lanka in Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism before, but when I attended the HWPL WARP Summit, I could meet more religious leaders, discussing and talking with each other about how everyone wants to be happy and wants to be at peace. I acknowledge that HWPL is doing great in this part. I am also very happy to join the HWPL peace work so I try to do my best and make commitment for bringing forth peace with HWPL.”
For HWPL, the year 2017 was a quantum leap forward. Peace advocacy projects are spreading all around the world. The Legislate Peace Campaignis to establish an international law for peace. And the WARP Offices are to work for religious harmony. Our progress can be attributed to the journalists who contributed to spreading the news of peace in every corner of the world. Let’s meet MVPs.
Key Peace Messengers in 2017
Mr. Bojan Stojkovski Journalist of Makfax News Agency in Macedonia
3rd WARP Summit, he stated, “Daily reporting on peace initiatives and activities, like the ones that HWPL is conducting, is the best way for journalists to help towards the cause of world peace and in my opinion every journalist needs to be dedicated to this cause.”
Mr. Stojkovski is a direct witness who is deeply aware of the role of the media in peace building. So passion was evident in his every words. He is wokring with HWPL as journalist for 10 years old.
“The international cooperation between professional journalists is something that can always contribute towards strengthening the media sector and thanks to HWPL, this will be a reality. I strongly believe that everyone can make a difference and as a journalist, by participating in this network, everyone can do his part to promote peace activities and to help achieve global peace.”
Jean de Dieu Munyembabazi Editor in Chief & Country Manager at IGIHE Burundi
Despite rich cultural assets, Africa is currently facing the dim prospect of a bright future. There are many ethnic and religious conflicts. Journalists are very dangerous because they are susceptible to imprisonment in the name of conspiracy of breaching national security.
Despite such a negative environment he boldly proclaimed, “I know that if I do not fight this fight, nobody will fight it for me. I do not do this job for money but for the hope that one day, my country will also enjoy the freedom of speech where everyone will not be persecuted, jailed, or killed for their political views or membership – a country where everybody will live and enjoy life whether national or expatriate.”
The purpose of HWPL is to end WAR. Maybe you can think it is not possible. Is it so naive? Is it an unattainable ideal? But the walking of HWPL makes us to believe. We get a hope. I can have the faith that we can do it! and I can too. The HWPL‘s Solutions is establishing of international law aiming to construct a world of peace. It is famous for substantialand practicalway to achieve peace. HWPL’s Legislate Peace Campaign is spreading out around the globe. How many? 630 events being held in 176 countries with over 1 million participants. #LegislatePeace
“When the light of heaven shines in the hearts of people, it becomes the light that never fades away.”
– HWPL
HWPL’s another Solution is the World Alliance of Religions’ Peace(WARP) offices. The war that caused by religion is 80 percent of all. The religious leaders have to more love people. So, we must make the religion one thing. How? We can find the most reliable religion by comparison between scriptures of each religion. The HWPL is an really influential group.
KOSOVO – A Professorof International Law at the University of Prishtina in Kosovo introduced the principles of the DPCWto the university students, the future leadersof Kosovo, Albania and Macedonia, who then gave their signatures of support.
ZAMBIA – At the Safe World Trust School in Zambia, in the presence of journalists, religious leaders, and other important societal figures,participants discussed the current peace activities in Zambia and expressed their support for the DPCW.
NEPAL – Students at Narayani English Public Higher Secondary School in Nepal recognized the peace work of HWPL and IPYG and painted their ideas and thoughts regarding peace.
MONGOLIA – In Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia Khishigsuren Saranbolor artists and members of IPYGpainted murals together at the Ulaanbaatar 31st kindergarten with the hope of peace. #LegislatePeace
There is no path to peace. Peace is the path. – Mahatma Gandhi
Islamic extremism and terrorism posed a threat to the Middle East. Although people want to cope with the threat, there are many hardships of peace. Why? We had precedents. The 2017 Palm Sunday church bombings killed 45 people and the 2014 Tata bus bombing resulted from a suicide bomber carrying explosives. So, the government of Egypt declared a state of emergency. How long will the war be? Frankly, we are fed up with death, misery and sorrow. Have you ever been experienced? It is the most painful experience. Even in such a horrible situation, the flower of peace is blooming.
Two representatives of HWPL International Law Peace Committee
They dedicated their efforts to the promotion of peace projects based on the spirit of the DPCW. Why? They love peace and participated in drafting the DPCW. What did they do? They helped supporting campaigns for DPCW to become national and international levels. And Media representatives do a role to report the news of peace to citizens in Middle East.
Dr. Said El Dakkak, Professor of International Law at Alexandria University, said “Now we have this declaration, we have this already drafted and launched, but the hard work has started now. We have to go further, all the way, in the ways of the national level, the international level through the civil organizations, and inter-governmental organizations.”
Mr. Kamal Khalifa Abdelrahman Mahmoud, President of the Arab Foundation for Development and Peace, has contributed to media power. He even founded Alsalamnews to cover the news of peace around the world, including those of HWPL. He said, “Peace in its general sense does not mean the absence of conflicts, but rather the process of rooting a set of values, attitudes, traditions and lifestyles based on full respect for the principles of sovereignty, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and on dialogue and cooperation among nations and cultures. We see that everything beautiful in life comes from peace.”
Egypt is now seeking to find a solution
https://player.vimeo.com/video/178150046
He introduced other Egyptian journalists who love peace to HWPL. The cool thing is that they decided to share the peace news with people in the region faster and more accurately. He is now planning to open ‘HWPL News’ to exclusively cover the news of peace for HWPL and the DPCW in the Arabic language. Egypt is now seeking to find a solution to peace for all humanity. The answer is already discovered. It is the DPCW. We need only just do! Do you hate peace? There is no one who doesn’t like peace. Then, you can just do it! The DPCW is the perfect solution to achieve peace.
This year, the Central American Parliament, also known as PARLACEN aims to benefit all the member states in the region with the same policies of social welfare and education. PARLACEN will do a substantial and active support growing for the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW). It could not have been approved, if it wasn’t for Hon. Deputy Paula Lorena Rodriguez Lima. Who is she? She is a current Representative of Guatemala in PARLACEN. She had sincere and honest heart for peace and inspired each of the 120 congressmen and congresswomen. What does she think about ‘DPCW‘? It is “a declaration that details the yearning of having peace in the world”.
“I do believe that the amount of wars within the countries are increasing because the values are being lost. Truly I would want that my children would never encounter a country that is deteriorating in the Central America or the world that would be losing values.” – Hon. Deputy Paula Lorena Rodriguez Lima
Overcome the obstacles!
But PARLACEN encounter oppositions within parliament. Why? Because there was some hostile information of HWPL in the internet. So they didn’t want to approve it. It was rejected in the first month, second month and so forth. Thus, she just witnessed the workings of HWPL for a long time. I’m really impressed her actions. She hopes to see the document adopted even within the organization of the American states, all other regional parliaments, and eventually make its way to the United Nations. I want to emulate someone like her who is confident and treads the path of virtue.
Exclusive Interview with
Hon. Deputy Paula Lorena Rodriguez Lima
“I’ve had the advantage of being here now for the 3rd time in Korea [for the WARP Summit]. All the things I observed were positive things. I observed all the religions here included within the organizations.
More than that, I was able to see all of the youth volunteers are intelligent youth with strong intellectual capacity. As a matter of fact, it [HWPL] is a noble organization whose only purpose is to search peace.
In all the months, I aspired to convince the deputies. During these 14 months I had to talk to every single one of congressmen and women to offer an explanation, the benefits, advantages, and the nobility of this declaration. And then it was finally approved. At last, it was approved.”
One small step for PARLACEN and HWPL One giant leap for mankind
What is HWPL? Its purpose is to end WAR. Since the beginning of human existence, the war has been inseparable with human. How do you feel? Maybe you think ‘Is it possible?’ and you can’t imagine ‘the world without war’. The HWPL‘s Solutions is establishing of international law aiming to construct a world of peace. They want to make peace as a sustainablelegacy for future generations. It can be conducted by forming peace as a fundamental value for coexistence. HWPL‘s Legislate Peace Campaign with its legal, cultural and social advocacy movements has garnered fruitfulresults. How many?630 events being held in176countries with over1 millionparticipants.
“630 events 176countries 1 millionparticipants”
“When the light of heaven shines in the hearts of people, it becomes the light that never fades away.”
– HWPL
Adoption of the DPCW in International Organizations
The Central American Parliament(Diputados del Parlamento Centroamericano, PARLACEN), with 6 member-states, has now completed theofficial process of approval for the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War(DPCW) after a year of discussion in the Commission of Peace, Public Security and Human Rights. It is an amazing achievement!!! I supported their walk. I want to make world where peace is everywhere.
The resolution includes the following,
“It is intended that the Central American Parliament raise the flag of peace among the entire international community, taking this message to all governments, international organizations, civil society, political parties and others.
Based on what was considered above and the legal basis invoked, the Commission of Peace, Public Security and Human Rights issues favorable report with amendments to the initiative AP / 1278-278 / 2016 the “DECLARATION OF PEACE AND CESSATION OF WAR“.
In the DPCW promoted by HWPL on March 14, 2016, the respect of human rights and international law is fundamentally promoted, especially the role of the states in relation to the promotion of Peace, Justice and Freedom.”
The PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will be held in February next year. This video above is made for public relations. Its concept is highlyacclaimed at home and abroad. It started from background that ‘AIs were defeated after a 10-year battle with humans’. Heroine main character is the last AI left in this world. Her name is ‘K 2018020925’. What does she do? She studied deeply ‘why humans won‘. What does she find? Emotion! Passion, sadness, joy, love. All of these appeared at a time in the feast, ごちそう, fiesta, 잔치(Janchi). They make the connection between the Seoul 1988 Olympics, the 2002 World Cup and 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. The meaning is that Korea gave thanks to nations who helped Korea and this peaceful janchi united all into one. The keyword is ‘Peace‘.
“I believe thePyeongChang2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will help spread the message of peace through one of the few languages that has the power to unite people around the world: the graceful and universal language of SPORT.” – Yuna Kim
Desire for peace : Two big events
The last A.I. said ‘Why could AI not surpass humans?’ Now the core of PR video is coming out. ‘Was it not a desire for peace?’ In my opinion, there must be some reason. There are at least two things that I know. First, on December, 2016, 1.7 million people gathered in Candlelight rally, Seoul. Nationwide total is 2,320,000 people. It reminded me of William Shakespeare’s one quote that “How far that little candle throws his beams!”. The world was surprised by peaceful assembly cultureand mature civic consciousness. People say “Don’t hit anyone even by flowers” The video said ‘The candle of peace lit has been carried over to the PyeongChang Olympic Torch and conveyed all over the world.’ I really love this sentence. Here is my posting.
“How far that little candle throws his beams!”
– William Shakespeare
Why War? HWPL’s Solutions
Second, 2017 3rd World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Summit was held by HWPL in Seoul, Korea. It is a annual event for peace. Each year, influential people from all around the world meet in South Korea.
HWPL was acknowledged for substantial and practical way to achieve peace. I am very proud of these Koreans. Their slogan is “Together for peace as messengers of peace” Why could human not cease war? The solutions of HWPL are ‘Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War(DPCW)’ and ‘The World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Office’.
Now ‘Legislate peace campaign’ is carried out. Since then, 705,000 signatures in more than 170 countries. And 117 schools from 8 different countries (as of July 2016) voluntarily became HWPL Peace Academies. In the short three years, the WARP Offices have seen rapid expansion with 218 offices now operating in 126 countries.
The 15th IAVE Asia Pacific Regional Volunteer Conference & Youth Volunteer Conference was held at Malaysia, on 22 November 2017. The title is that ‘Power of Volunteerism: What have you changed?’. This conference was hosted by Yayasan Salam Malaysia, the biggest volunteer NGO in this area and attended by 610 people from 32 countries. The Youth Conference was inspired by one summit. They discussed for peace in session, the Region-Specific Discussion for the Implementation of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW). This peaceful summit is ‘3rd Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit 2017′ held in September. At that time, nine Malaysian delegation members discussed action plans under the title of “Establishing Collaborative Governance for Peace“.
The International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE) is an international NGO for volunteerism, founded in 1970. IAVE advocates interaction between the governments of each country and civil society.
Peace Education: The Spirit of Ownership for Humankind
HWPL delivered a keynote speech during the opening ceremony of the IAVE conference. One project director of the HWPL said, “The fact that we are the owner of our community, country and furthermore the human society that we belong to…this ownership is the very foundation of volunteerism. What values are sowed in young peoples’ hearts decides our future. Thus, peace education is the most powerful way to inherit the legacy of peace to the future generations for them to obtain this sense of ownership” I think we need many friends who are man of action. But I should look back me first. That’s why peace education is needed.
“Make peace, create peace, be the example of peace. We need peace in the world.” – Pope Francis
IPYG Youth Empowerment Game
It is a role-play game. You can become decision-makerswho have the mission of building a peaceful society. You must achieve peace.
“Politicians ought to promote social integration on the basis of peace and love for humankind. This becomes strong leadership.”
“Religious leaders must become as living textbooks of peace education since they are spiritual leaders who guide 80% of the world’s population.”
“Youth must realize their values and unite with other youths as the main players that are leading society.”
Wafa Aimi, a student of international law at USIM. She is strong and wonderful.
Wafa Aimi, a student of international law at USIM, said “The invention of a legal framework and all these initiatives will give a big impact in order to foster peace at both national and international levels. The DPCW would be a plausible check and balance instrument to limit the inherent rights for a state to resort to a war consonant with other considerations. These are the catalysts of positive changes and it will eventually show its path for developing peace processes in our world. The international community needs a wide-ranging legal approach that can guide and help the citizens, irrespective of their ethnicities, nationalities and religions.
“Although challenges are inevitable in the form of ethnic hatred and religious conflict…but as quoted from HWPL Chairman’s speech at 3rd WARP Summit 2017, “This precious and indispensable gift was bestowed upon the human race as a legacy from heaven. Who must protect our world? It is us, the family of the global village. Neither wealth nor power can be passed down as a heritage if we fail to stop wars. Mankind and our Earth will share a fatal destiny.” I hope that more youth become powerful ‘peace messengers‘.
more info : www.hwpl.kr
This site’s video is really cool.
The World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (3rd WARP) Summit, which was first held in 2014, has been held annually in Seoul. Each year, influential people from all around the world meet in South Korea. HWPL was acknowledged for substantial and practical way to achieve peace. Actually, people who come to the Peace Festival are all moving. They can feel ‘Peace waves‘, which also be called ‘the heart of peace’, deep down in the heart. This time, I introduce ‘Peace parade‘ and finale ‘Arirang of Peace‘ performance. The peace parade showed how global peace is being achieved in accordance with the 10 articles and 38 clauses of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War.
Hidden heroes of the 3rd WARP
Parade Art Production Team Leader Dongwoo Han
Q. You are creating a tank and a unification train. Which part of this should be viewed carefully?
“In the case of the tank, a key point to take notice of is how the cold and lethal weapons of death are transformed into agricultural tools that help people and give them joy. So, it becomes a world where there are no longerany weapons that kill people. In the case of the unification train, it shows how the unification of Korea, which is the world’s only divided nation, is able to give hope.
This is symbolized by the creation of a unification train which would allow people to go anywhere, not caring whether it is in South or North.”
Parade Art Production Team member Minjeong Kim
Q. What inspired you to produce this piece?
“During the proclamation of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War, Chairman Lee of HWPL stated that we must not create weapons that are to be used for war any longer, but instead should transform them into tools that are beneficial for humanity. These ideas have been a great inspiration for my work.
So, the main gun on the top of the tank was replaced with a golden trumpet that would be used to announce the news of peace. As I am aware that Chairman Lee has personally experienced the pain of the Korean War as a veteran, so much inspiration was received through his words and actions.”
Going along with the lyrics of “Arirang of Peace,” it was like seeing the blueprint of a new era and “entering the new world of peace” that is without war and terrorism.
Arirang Performance performer Jiyun Ahn
Q. With what kind of heart did you prepare for this performance?
“I had many thoughts about what kind of heart I should be preparing for this performance with if things became hard or difficult. However, as I watched my teammates and everyone, including myself, preparing for the performance for the sake of peace and not for personal gain or pleasure, my heart became ever more eager for peace and I worked even harder while practicing.”
Arirang Performance performer Hyunji Kang
Q. Can you please introduce the performance that we will see from this Arirang Team?
“Our performance is a concert called Arirang Fantasy of Peace. It is a performance that expresses the idea of a peace that does not discriminate anyone, even though nationality, race, culture and religion may all be different. It brings together a traditional Korean song with traditional instruments, dances martial arts and other elements showing a harmonized global village full of excitement. This concert is apeace festivalthat represents the global village that will live in harmony and create peace.
It is during the performance of Ganggangsullae(강강술래), a traditional Korean dance, in the Arirang of Peace where one of our team members steps across the connected backs and shoulders of the others. This clearly demonstrates how a beautiful reality of peace is achieved through the combined sacrifice and effort of everyone involved.
Therefore, during practices not even one person could think selfishly, but instead had to willingly lend their back and shoulders. So, we carefully practiced with the mindset that I myself must hold hands and create peace along with everyone else.”
On January 19, an interfaith dialogue with religious representatives from Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Hinduism discussed the role of religion in making a peaceful world. Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), an international NGO affiliated with the UN ECOSOC, held the 32nd interfaith dialogue in Bangkok.
“We talk about dialogues based on scriptures, which is very important part of peacebuilding to individual person. It is also important to understand that we have to build peace within ourselves first, the inner quality of person,” said Sathit Kumarn, president of Ramakrishna Vedanta Society of Thailand and advisor the National Legislative Assembly in Thailand.
In the meeting, the panel discussion was carried on. “The founder of religion (The Messenger) can’t teach from his own knowledge, they have to teach only from the will of the heaven which is revealed to them from God,” said Dr. Husni Hamad. Also, one pastor said “The founder of religion should not teach from his own knowledge but on the basis of the which the person has received from heaven.”
