As of August 2019, a book named “True Story of HWPL: Peace and Cessation of War” with the record of peacebuilding efforts by millions of global citizens and social leaders has been displayed in public institutions including libraries, schools, museums in 195 countries.
According to HWPL the publisher, the purpose of this book is to implant the values and spirit of peace that lead “every individual to become a messenger of peace.”
Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL who experienced the war as a war veteran prefaced the book by saying “We have worked together with all our hearts and strengths to achieve world peace and cessation of war transcending all borders of nation, ethnicity, and religion. Let us all become messengers of peace and leave peace as an everlasting legacy for future generations. Our work of peace will shine as an eternal light in history.”
Regarding the value of this book, Vice mayor of Târgu Mureş in Romania, Dr. Makkai Grigore, told “This book is a model and a call to peace. Readers can find models that are worthwhile to follow and can be stimulated to maintain peace. Through this book, I can come into contact with a lesser-known reality and meet world leaders who have a say about peace. I think this book can be considered a symbol of peace education, a history fragment for the 21st century.”
In this current century, the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs) set out key points for harmonious coexistence and development of the global community, including the economy, poverty eradication, education, welfare, equality and justice. The precondition for achieving this goal is the sustainable state of peace without war based on the complete cessation of violent conflicts such as hostile actions and wars throughout the international community.
However, conflicts and actions of war between countries have not ceased, and the possibility of war is further increased by the spread of violent extremism by non-state actors based on religious and ethnic identity. Just as such, today’s conflicts are becoming worsened by the everyday fears that can directly affect individuals, going beyond what affects one’s country.
Therefore, a comprehensive approach of prevention and solution is required to respond to violent forms of disputes, including wars that threaten the lives of mankind. This comprehensive approach is based on the participation of non-governmental organizations and individuals – as well as governments and intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) in this current international community – where the response to disputes in non-political areas such as culture, religion, ethnicity, economy, and the environment is required with the cooperation between various actors. This increases the possibility of establishing global peace as a new approach to respond to conflicts by transcending national boundaries with shared, common effort for peace from around the world.
The HWPL Peace Summit sets the source of power to create a world of peace to include every agent of action – from an individual to a country – to become a peace messenger. The 10 articles and 38 clauses of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), drafted by HWPL along with international law experts from around the world, reconfirms the core values included in the existing international documents discussed and drawn in international communities including the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
The Declaration also clarifies the role of the members of international society, including civil societies and countries, to ban, prevent, and resolve conflicts. Based on the global support shown through “Legislate Peace” campaign, the 10 articles and 38 clauses of the DPCW should be introduced to the UN as a resolution with the goal of the principles of peace represented in the Declaration should be established as international law for peace which should be protected as a legally binding document in the world today.
HWPL, the host of this event, is an NGO associated with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the UN Department of Global Communications and in Special Consultative Status with the UN ECOSOC. The organizers are the IPYG, an affiliated organization of HWPL, and the IWPG, a UN ECOSOC-affiliated NGO with Special Consultative Status. Mr. Man Hee Lee is the chairman of HWPL. In fact, everything here has nothing to do without him. That’s how important he is.
All of these can be seen as Man Hee Lee’s peace biography. I think it would be nice to read another article because I’ve posted so many posts about who he is. (more info)
1. On 17-19 September 2014, HWPL hosted the September 18th HWPL World Peace Summit for world peace and cessation of war. At this event, the world’s political leaders recognized the need for an international legal instrument that ensures peace and promised to cooperate, and religious leaders promised to become one according to the teachings of God and contribute to peace. As a token of their promise, they signed the Agreement to Propose the Enactment of International Law for the Cessation of Wars and World Peace and the World Alliance of Religions Agreement on 18 September 2014 at the 63 Building in Seoul.
2. In 2015, the 1st anniversary of the September 18th HWPL World Peace Summit was held at the World Peace Gate in Seoul Olympic Park. At this event, the HWPL International Law Peace Committee was officially inaugurated, and its members entered the stage of discussing an international legal instrument to settle and prevent armed conflicts.
Then on 14 March 2016, the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), comprising of 10 articles and 38 clauses, was proclaimed. The fundamental spirit of the DPCW is the fair governance based on law, not power. Articles 1 to 7 pertain to the role of States while Articles 8 to 10 aim to empower the participation of global citizens in establishing a global order of peace through politics, religion, media, education, and civil society.
3. At the 2nd Anniversary of the September 18th HWPL World Peace Summit of 2016, discussions were held to turn the DPCW into legally binding form. As a result, “Legislate Peace” Project was launched to advocate the DPCW and mobilize support for its implementation globally, and over a million people in 170 countries participated in just one year.
4. In 2017, 2017 Anniversary of the September 18th HWPL World Peace Summit was held under the theme, “Establishing Collaborative Governance for Development and Implementation of the DPCW.” Building on the momentum from the adoption of the DPCW by the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN), the Summit aimed to increase awareness of the DPCW among intergovernmental organizations including the United Nations.
Furthermore, the agreed standards for determining a trustworthy religious scripture, which is the key of the comparative study of scriptures, were presented and ideas for a global peace media network were developed. Overall, the Summit provided an opportunity to seek ways to establish a cooperative network among international organizations, governments, and civil societies.
5. Through the 4th Anniversary of the September 18th HWPL World Peace Summit that convened with the theme of Collaboration for Peace Development: Building a Peace Community through the DPCW in 2018, the following topics were discussed: 1) Plans of action to support the DPCW to be introduced as UN resolution as a national and regional level; 2) Plans of action to establish and expand peace networks with various fields in the core including politics, religion, education, media, youth, women, etc.
With the youths’ Peace Letter activities that urged for a peaceful unification on the Korean Peninsula in 2018, the Peace Letter campaign expanded during March to May in 2019 for the citizens and leaders from around the world in various sectors to urge support for the DPCW. As a result of this campaign, peace letters were written and sent to the heads of state from 192 countries.
The theme of the 2019 World Peace Summit: 5th Anniversary of the WARP Summit is “Legislate Peace”– Implementation of the DPCW for Sustainable Development. This year the outcomes from the previous year’s work – in which various fields focused on solidifying peace networks – will be shared, along with a more detailed direction for the advancement of actualizing world peace. For this purpose, there will be events held in 200 cities in 110 countries with 300,000 citizens with the goal of establishing a universal order and standard that is applicable internationally, and to establish an international, legally binding document for peace.
Do you think this world is peaceful? Or are you too busy making a living in front of us to think about? Everyone lives in their own world. The size of the world is only different. Of course, I know that unless it’s God, I can’t count everything. It could be hypocrisy. Nevertheless, there are those who risk their lives and do the work of peace. Who are they?
First of all, I’m going to see if it’s peaceful.
Ongoing Conflicts (2018-2019)
Ongoing armed conflicts have caused at least 181,000 fatalities(2018-2019). It included only battle-related death or intentionally targeted civilian casualties. Overall damage would be magnitudes greater if injuries and lasting aftermath from conflicts are considered.
Communal conflicts in Nigeria (1998~) : 3,162 (total 17,156)
Iraqi conflict (2003~) : 5,750(total 288,000)
Boko Haram insurgency (2009~) : 2,457(total 51,567)
South Sudanese Civil War (2011~) : 1,685(total 383,000-400,000)
Libyan Civil War (2014~) : 1,727(total 29,859–42,253)
In two years, so many people died. Fatalities are over 181,000. This number is not a small. Can you handle the grief of their family or friends? We can’t feel anything, because we’re far from psychological. The closer you get to them, the more you will live a life of helplessness, sad and unable to do anything. If you’ve had a similar experience, you know it.
But we can’t just sit still and do nothing. Now, we’re trying to find out who’s risking their lives for peace. They are HWPL.
HWPL, DPCW.. and Man Hee Lee
HWPL is an NGO associated with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the UN Department of Global Communications and in Special Consultative Status with the UN ECOSOC. The organizers are the IPYG, an affiliated organization of HWPL, and the IWPG, a UN ECOSOC-affiliated NGO with Special Consultative Status.
HWPL is considered by experts and foreign media to be the most accomplished peace organization in a short period of time. Among them, the key role is DPCW, the answer to peace.
What is the problem of existing international law? It is not legally binding and it partially allows war. S0, the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) was drafted by prominent international law experts from 15 different countries.
The 10 articles and 38 clauses of the DPCW is a comprehensive documentation of the principles of peace that are required in this current era through an inclusive approach to ban, prevent, and resolve conflicts. Based on the DPCW, the common global yearning to achieve world peace and cessation of war can be accomplished with the core principles of peace.
It can be established in the form of international law, not just for individual societies, but in relationships between countries and in the entire globe as a universal standard and value. To achieve this goal, the DPCW needs to become a resolution at the United Nations – which represents the international community – and become an internationally binding legal document for every country and citizen to abide by it.
H.E. Viktor Yushchhenko, Former President of Ukraine
“I am deeply grateful to be able to implement the cause of peace in a specific way. This is truly a worthy cause. I was deeply impressed to see the DPCW with its refined and profound wisdom. I think it is worth the support from all leaders of the world. This is because the DPCW is a perfectly balanced document that was drafted through the great effort of international legal experts and is of fundamental value.”
What is the core of HWPL?
HWPL is said to have brought together the voices of citizens from all over the world. What is the driving force that makes things possible that no one else has done? It is the Mr. Man Hee Lee, who is supported by 1.8 billion young people around the world. He is also a veteran of the Korean War and is working harder for peace than a young man, despite his age.
His life-threatening moves touched many young people. What is surprising is that many people have seen the light from him. He is also called the president of the world. If you listen to his speech, you will find out why. The whole family in the world follows him, because he has a clear answer and leadership.
H.E. Emil Constantinescu, the former president of Romania
Q. What do you think of Chairman Lee?
A. “I believe Chairman Lee is a leader in the true sense of the word, which is easy to see in the way he wins the hearts and the minds of the younger generation, in particular because of his destiny: a man who fought in the Korean War which, like all wars, pits man against man; but what is even more striking is that, in the case of the Korean war, it was pitting brother against brother.
When youth and women’s associations were established, I think Man Hee Lee astutely picked up on the fact that herein lay the key, as youths are sent to die in wars by populist and ultranationalist leaders with dictatorial tendencies while women during war are not only victims but also suffer for their parents, children and brothers. We must never forget that while 20.000.000 soldiers died in World War II, 40.000.000 civilians, mostly women, children and the elderly, perished in that conflict as well.”
2019 World Peace Summit: 5th Anniversary of the WARP Summit
The 2019 HWPL World Peace Summit: 5th Annual Commemoration of the September 18th WARP Summit will be held over three days, from 17 to 19 September 2019, in Seoul, Republic of Korea. The Summit has been held annually since 2014, providing a platform for leaders in politics, religion, youth and women’s groups, journalism, and civil society around the world to discuss the ideas and practices required to achieve peace, a common goal of the global community.
Outcomes from the past year – in which various fields focused on solidifying peace networks – will be shared this year, along with a more detailed direction of the advancement for actualizing world peace. Peace Festival will be held at not only Korea, but also 110 countries and 200 cities worldwide. Peace is the timeless, invaluable asset for humanity. Your presence and support will be sure to make this event even more meaningful.
1) Expanding support at international level for introducing the DPCW to the UN General Assembly as a draft resolution 2) Spreading a culture of interfaith understanding and dialogue based on religious scriptures 3) Strengthening the ability of youth and women’s peace network 4) Implementing peace education for building the character of global citizens with peace values 5) expanding a global peace media network: changing the public’s awareness of peace
Actually, DPCW has been consistently supported by the world. It already has national supports such as Seychelles, Eswatini, and Comoros. In 2017,the central american parliament (PARLACEN)passed a resolution in support of the DPCW. Also, the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), which represents all citizens of 55 countries of the African Continent, the International Centre for Black Sea-Baltic Studies and Consensus Practices (Centre BBS), which consisted of former European Presidents, and 145 United Nations officialsalso supported the DPCW.
What is #LP Campaign?
The support of citizens is also continuing constantly. Already, 734,098 signatures from 176 countries are collected. What is LP Campaign? “Legislate Peace” project is a comprehensive cooperation campaign around the globe in support of the DPCW’s introduction to the UN as a draft resolution, and for it to become an international, legally binding document.
This project lists all of the support received from 2016 to now from over 180 different countries and includes institutional support from various international organizations and governments, with individual support and activities from political leaders, religious leaders, and community activists. At this year’s event, the projects’ specific cases in individual expert fields will be shared with a discussion for future plans. Young people are also moving to achieve faster.
IPYG all over the world is urging presidents from around the world to sign the DPCW. In less than a year, 165,782 Peace Letters were collected. On March 14, 2019, citizens from all over the world wrote letters of peace and sent them to the Presidents of 192 countries and Prime ministers to urge the need for DPCW. It is a part of the “Legislate Peace” Project. What a great thing! You can join online right now. There are not many opportunities to work for peace. Together, Peace.
Timor-Leste, or East Timor, is a Southeast Asian nation ringed by coral reefs teeming with marine life. It has really beautiful natural scenery. But crime continues to be a problem in Timor-Leste, including gang-related violence, robbery (in some cases armed), and assault. There have been attacks on foreigners in Dili during the hours of daylight and darkness. Also, the citizens who live there have suffered a lot.
East Timor genocide (1975-1999)
East Timor was colonised by Portugal in the 16th century, and was known as Portuguese Timor until 28 November 1975, when the Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (Fretilin) declared the territory’s independence. The East Timor genocide refers to the “pacification campaigns” of state terrorism by the Indonesian government during the US-backed.
From the start of the invasion in August 1975 onward, the wholesale massacre of Timorese civilians happened. At the start of the occupation, FRETILIN radio sent the following broadcast: “The Indonesian forces are killing indiscriminately. Women and children are being shot in the streets. We are all going to be killed…. This is an appeal for international help. Please do something to stop this invasion.”
Amnesty International estimated that one third of East Timor’s population, or 200,000 in total, died from military action, starvation and disease from 1975 to 1999. In 1979 the US Agency for International Development estimated that 300,000 East Timorese had been moved into camps controlled by Indonesian armed forces.
Also, Indonesian military abuses against women in East Timor were numerous and well-documented. Amnesty International USA wrote: “Women are reluctant to pass on information to non-governmental organizations about rape and sexual abuse, let alone to report violations to the military or police authorities.” University of Oxford held an academic consensus calling the event genocide and Yale university teaches it as part of their “Genocide Studies” program.
However, a strong wind of peace is blowing again these days.
HWPL Peace Walk In Timor-Leste
On June 8, 2019, Peace Walk event of HWPL was held on May 25 at the Radio Community Atoni Lifau in the Oe-Cusse area together with government officials, the heads of NGOs and school students. Every year in Timor-Leste, HWPL has held the event in Dili, the capital city. This year, it was the first time in Oe-Cusse, not in Dili. Do you know Oe-Cusse? UN troops and the “Sangnoksu Unit” of Korea were dispatched together to fight for the independence of Timor-Leste in the past. After the war, there is a lot of exchange with Korea.
During the Peace Walk, they walked to the memorial stone for the sacrifice of Sangnoksu Unit who sacrificed for the independence of East Timor. Independence… What a heart-wrenching word? The smiling children don’t know anything, but the ancestors who achieved independence must be really happy. It’s hard not to forget that gratitude, but… Youth must do it. And the most important thing we need to do is to stop the war from happening anymore. Let’s leave peace as a legacy for future generations!
They made a promise to work together with HWPL for peace from now on. The event was also broadcasted on the national broadcasting station GMNtv on June 12.
Tunisia is a North African country bordering the Mediterranean Sea and Sahara Desert. The FCO says: “Terrorists are still very likely to try to carry out attacks in Tunisia. Security forces remain on a high state of alert in Tunis and other places. You should be vigilant at all times, including around religious sites and festivals.”
Conflicts of Republic of Tunisia
Bizerte crisis(July 19, 1961 — July 23, 1961)
Tunisian revolution(December 18, 2010 — January 14, 2011)
ISIL insurgency in Tunisia(June 26, 2015 — ongoing)
On 27 June 2019, two suicide blasts took place in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. The first explosion on Thursday involved a suicide bomber who targeted a police patrol on Tunis’s central Charles de Gaulle Street. One police officer was killed, while another was wounded as well as three civilians, according to the interior ministry. In total, 127–173 were killed and 84–126 were wounded.
What is ISIL (ISIS, IS)?
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) is also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and officially known as the Islamic State (IS). They are under a lot of criticism. The UN estimated that 5,000 Yazidis were killed by ISIL during the takeover of parts of northern Iraq in August 2014. The problem of child soldiers, sexual violence and slavery is so serious. In 2018, Nadia Murad (Yazidi girl) awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for “their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict”.
In late December 2015, nearly 70,000 Indian Muslim clerics associated with the Indian Barelvi movement issued a fatwa condemning ISIL and similar organisations, saying they are “not Islamic organisations”. Approximately 1.5 million Sunni Muslim followers of this movement have formally decried violent extremists. Regardless of religious beliefs, human rights violations are too serious.
In Tunisia, Peace must be Coming
On May 29th, 2019, Mohamed Riadh Aissaoui presented the HWPL True Story to Ms. Raja Ben Slama, the chief director of the National Library of Tunisia. Mr. Aissaoui currently lives in Tunisia and is the director of the OUDH(University Organization of Human Development). He explained to her about HWPL, the IPYG, and the DPCW, an answer to peace. As a response, Ms. Raja Ben Slama expressed her gratitude. And she said HWPL’s Legislate Peace Campaign and IPYG Peace Letter Campaign will make constructive influences on future generations.
Why is HWPL an “Answer to Peace”?
The new international law DPCW made by HWPL is supported by continents around the world. It is supported by former and incumbent presidents, ministers, professors and heads of organizations, who want to make peace as soon as possible. The problem with existing international law is that it is not legally binding. HWPL, supported by 3.7 billion women (IWPG) and 1.8 billion young people (IPYG), is bound to be the answer to peace. Let’s do it together~
I’ve been a fan of HWPL. When I heard that the true story book was coming out, I expected a lot and I really wanted to see it. In fact, I looked at it all at once, but I didn’t know the time was passing.
Numerous photos and the names of world leaders have convinced us that peace can be achieved. When I read their words one by one, I think that those who are not with HWPL in this work of peace want war. Short-term achievements will be unrivaled.
This book is not about what has passed, but it is about the present reality and not just a picture book. This book contains the work of peace the seven peace messengers (HWPL, IWPG, IPYG) have done throughout the world.
The purpose of the work recorded in this book is to cease all wars and leave an eternal legacy of peace to future generations. This book has been distributed to 195 countries. It is placed in major institutions such as national and public libraries, national assembly libraries, national museums, and universities. The work of the messengers of peace and this book will be an eternal light in history.
In this book, you will see some of the people that they have met, what work they did, what the results were, and what they will be doing. You will also see how politicians, members of society, and religious people responded to their work. Additionally, you will see what the possibilities of peace, cessation of war, and alliance of religions are, how each school in each country reacted, and what the media reports are.
It will also show the activities of the messengers of peace and how each nation is accepting it. I would like to ask those who read this book: if you experience certain feelings, needs, or feel that there are some things you want to change, please send them an e-mail. If you would like to see video footages of some of the things our peace messengers are doing, please contact us by e-mail as well.
The June 16 1976 Uprising that began in Soweto and spread countrywide profoundly changed the socio-political landscape in South Africa. It is estimated that 20,000 black students took part in the protests. Deaths are 176 (~700) who are killed by police. So, 16 June is now a public holiday in South Africa, named Youth Day.
What was the reason? Policies of the Apartheid government are the problem. Finally it resulted in the introduction of the Bantu Education Act in 1953. Despite the inequality and oppression caused by apartheid, many heroes were born. Who are they? The “Youth of 1976” played a really important role in fighting.
One photo shocked the world
During the fracas the 12-year-old Hector Pieterson was shot by the police. He was covered in blood. Pieterson was rushed to a local clinic and declared dead on arrival. This photo became an icon of the Soweto uprising.
“The uprising means different things for different people,” says Khwezi Gule, chief curator of the Hector Pieterson museum and memorial in Soweto. “There are different generations and varying constituencies. Even those who were there in 1976 were affected differently: parents, students, leaders, people just caught in the crossfire.”
Nelson Mandela said “The events of that day reverberated in every town and townships of South Africa. The uprising triggered riots and violence across the country. Mass funerals for the victims of state violence became national rallying points.
Suddenly the young people of South Africa were fired with the spirit of protest and rebellion. Students boycotted schools all across the country. Bantu education had come back to haunt its creators, for these angry and audacious young people were its progeny.”
South Africa’s Youth Discusses NDP 2030 on Youth Day
Commemorating the heroes of Soweto from June 1976 young, South Africans were challenged to chart their own solutions for dealing with the struggles the youth face today. So, the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG) is collaborated with the Gauteng Province, the City of Johannesburg Library and Information Services, South African Council of NGO’s, Green Peace Africa, IWPG, Save the Children and HWPL.
Also, the Specialized Agency of the African Union and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) helped these passionate young peace activits. IPYG was established in 2013 with 805 affiliate organisations in 110 countries. What is their purpose? It is the “National Development Plan (NDP).”
NDP 2030: Youth CAN do it!
The NDP aims to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030. According to the plan, South Africa can realise these goals by drawing on the energies of its people, growing an inclusive economy, building capabilities, enhancing the capacity of the state, and promoting leadership and partnerships throughout society. Lets all work together to make the National Development Plan (NDP) a success and build a better South Africa for all, it is up to each one of us.
In dealing with International and Regional Peace and Security, Editor of Zimbabwe Digital News brought about the need to create a culture of peace and referenced the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) as an instrument that the President of South African to put an end to armed conflict. (What is DPCW?)
Because Africa has great potential, countless young people can surely achieve peace with IPYG. At IPYG Peace Letter Campaign, more than 200,000 young people from each country have sent handwritten letters to the heads of 193 countries of the United Nations. We Are One!
France is the first country in the world to have a civil revolution. The French Revolution (1789-1799) is one of the most important events in human history. On August 26, 1789, it introduced the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, proclaiming liberty, equality, the inviolability of property, and the right to resist oppression. It is Influenced by the doctrine of “natural right”; the rights of man are held to be valid at all times and in every place. And this document inspired in large part the 1948 United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
French Peace Walk “We Are One!”
On May 24th, about 200 youths gathered in front of the Ibis Hotel in Paris, and the Eiffel Tower, France’s representative landmark, in commemoration of the 6th anniversary of the Declaration of World Peace. HWPL hosted this event. Also it was supported by renowned international organizations such as, AIESEC in France and Regards de Paix.
The event started with congratulatory videos of Anna Bossman, the UNESCO Ambassador of Ghana, Oumar Keita, the UNESCO Ambassador of Mali, and also continued with congratulatory addresses of Gaura Bhakta, the Guru of ISKCON, and André Lokisso, the head of the Assistance To The Integration Of Demobilized Child Soldiers, which is one of the UNESCO affiliated organizations with the country of Africa.
“I really liked to feel the power of youths who are longing for peace and I never knew that there were so many youths who wanted to have peace like this.”
one participant
DPCW & Peace Letter Campaign
The DPCW is a phenomenal declaration that has the answer to cease all wars, and is soon to be submitted to the UN as a resolution. Everyone around the world is urging the heads of state to support the DPCW through the Peace Letter Campaign. (more info about DPCW)
Today, millions of peace letters have been sent to a number of national leaders. Young people around the world are writing these peace letters with a longing heart for peace. It is expected to stimulate the heads of state to make a peaceful world free of wars.
Especially, a graduate student of Sciences po Paris recited her letter to President Emmanuel Macron. All the participants were inspired by her letter and gave her a big round of applause.
At end of the event, the HWPL Peace Walk took place. About 200 youths shouted, “We want peace! We are one!” This France HWPL Peace Walk will have a great influence in France and Europe. Why? Because France is where the history of the global civil revolution began.