Steps toward Peace Archives - Page 32 of 44

IPYG Youth Empowerment Peace Workshop : Fast!

IPYG is running fast

IPYG has been working with approximately 846 youth organizations in 111 countries around the world (as of October 2017). IPYG Youth Empowerment Peace Workshop! It is a good example of the Youth Empowerment. How much faster do they run? They participated in more than 200 activities and events in 44 countries for peace. How long? ‘Just in this year!‘ They show a great power. The reasons for that are eager for peace and youth. In particular, IPYG hosted the Peace Walk, which has been an annual event since 2013. They created a movement to promote the true culture of peace. It is based on Article 10 of the DPCW.

“For World Peace to become a reality, this is the duty of all youth, everywhere.“

IPYG Youth Empowerment Peace Workshop

It is important for young adults around the world to recognize the importance of safeguarding peace. What is the role of the youth? Owners of the future! They must make the world of peace. To fulfill such vision, IPYG continues to host the Youth Empowerment Peace Workshop. So far, IPYG’s Youth Empowerment Peace Workshops were hosted in the states of Kano, Imo and Katsina in Nigeria.

This time, it was held in Kano State, Nigeria on 14 January 2018.

Dr. Babatunde Adetuniji Oni and Dr. Hakeem Abimbola Olaniyan, Professors of Law at the University of Lagos, design a curriculum dedicated to identifying the ways of making peace a reality in Nigeria. Why do they work so hard? Because they were inspired at the 3rd Annual Commemoration of the September 18th WARP Summit. After participating in the peace education, many students expressed their grief over the current selfish and brutal reality.

A student said “Peace and wars should be clearly distinguished. I realized that peace cannot be achieved by committing wars. I believe this education should reach out to all corners of Nigeria in every field.”

Reference : http://www.hwpl.kr/en/news/view/180420293//IPYGYouthEmpowermentPeaceWorkshop

Peace is up to you :0 Good luck!

Nigerians can be united

Great Echo in the Nigeria

There was a great echo in the Nigeria. Though small in size, the meaning contained in it was enough to echo the whole land. The Ajegunle quarters of the heavenly culture for World Peace and Restoration of Light (HWPL) urged Nigerians to drop pride. If only, we can be united. It was led by Pastor Kenneth Okunorobo of The Root of Righteous Revival Ministry.

What Did He Say?

He said, “If we cannot be united in a foreign land, we won’t be able to come home and practise what we have learned. Nigerians are not united and I noticed it in the last DCPW conference in South Korea. We had about 40 Nigerians, including four Nigerian governors’ wives in attendance, but there was no avenue for us to sit down and talk, like other countries were doing.”

Last DPCW Conference

2nd Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)

“A Call for Building a World of Peace and Realizing Justice“

Pastor Kenneth Okunorobo said, “This is because the pride in us is too much. If we cannot be united over there, how can we return here and preach the gospel of peace and unity to our people. We need to start coordinating ourselves from here in Lagos at least, and then attract the president and Lagos State governor’s attention.”

Nigerians can be united

Keyword is ‘Pride‘ and ‘Religious belief‘. Muslim Leader, Imam Adangba, said “Sometime, you find Muslims or Christians that are evil. But there are also very good Muslims and Christians.” The most impressive words he said is that “Religion is about teachings from heaven, it is not human. Religious leaders should respect and love according to their scriptures and realise peace. I have learned a lot from Pastor Kenneth and he also learned a lot from me. We later agreed that the Bible and Qur’an are saying the same thing. It is just our interpretations that brought these divisions amongst us.”

“Religion is about teachings from heaven, it is not human”

Reference : https://guardian.ng/sunday-magazine/ibru-ecumenical-centre/group-identifies-pride-as-bane-of-disunity-among-christians/

Peace is up to you :0 good luck!

Yemen’s Child soldiers broke the silence

Child soldiers : Finally broke the silence

According to BBC, Yemen civil war is known as ‘Silence of War’ since the world major media paid less attention compared to the gravity of the situation. But finally the silence was broken. The children played a big role. Thanks a lot. I would also like to thank the adults who wrote these articles. I think we can feel it only if we listen to the children’s voices. So I try to write their stories mainly.

He recalls, “I saw the people beside me get killed.” “I sat next to them(his fellow child soldiers) and cried too.”

Marib(13-year-old) said he couldn’t think of anything else, he says, not even his favorite animals. Naji, 13, says the rebels had him dragging dead bodies from the field. “One day, I looked at the body and it was my uncle. I cried and I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t pull his body out,” Naji recalls.

It’s a serious Global Issue

Since 2015, over 8,600 people died and 50,000 have been injured (WHO)

Since March 2015, the United Nations has verified 2,369 cases of child recruitment and use of children in combat in Yemen, Meritxell Relano, UNICEF resident representative in Yemen, told CNN. The UN says it faced various challenges to monitoring and believes the number to be much higher. Yemeni officials in the Western-backed government in the South believe there are more than 6,000 child soldiers across the country.

Last December, the UN’s Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen said he was “deeply disturbed” by mounting civilian casualties and said it was proof of the “complete disregard for human life that all parties continue to show in this absurd war.” The UN dubbed Yemen’s war “a children’s crisis,” and argued that young people were bearing the brunt of the conflict’s humanitarian disasters. This civil war has most of the Yemen war’s child casualties.

God has saved you from them

Recovering from the trauma is slow. Nightmares still haunt Younis and sometimes spill into reality. “One night at school I could see a face on the wall looking at me,” he recalls. That night he thought someone was going to kill his friends in a nearby room and then come for him. He locked himself in his room.

“He used to wake up at night startled, screaming ‘The Houthis, the Houthis. They are coming to take me,'” Samira says. “I would go to him, tell him to say a prayer. ‘You are here with me, not with them. God has saved you from them and brought you to us.'”

Older men declare war. But it is youth that must fight and die.
– Herbert Hoover

Older men declare war. But it is child that must fight and die.

Peace is up to you :0 Good luck!

Yemen boy ‘Don’t bury me’

Yemen boy was buried in a cold graveyard

On October 13, 2015, six-year-old Fareed Shawky in Yemen is playing with a ball with his friends as usual. Then suddenly, the worst tragedy in this tiny Yemen boy’s life occurred. A missile fell to the house with a roaring sound and in a flash, his house was in chaos. With shrapnel lodged in his head, he whispered in ear ‘Don’t bury me‘. But shortly after, small Yemen boy was buried in a cold graveyard. In 1994, the first civil war broke out in Yemen after Royalists of the existing reign was retreated by the coup by Republicans. Then, there were large and small wars that can’t see. According to BBC, this war is known as ‘Silence of War’ since the world major media paid less attention compared to the gravity of the situation.

Tiny Yemen boy whispered, ‘Don’t bury me’

The world moved for this Yemen boy

By a statement of the UN, 2.6 million Yemenis, approximately 10% of Yemeni population became refugees after losing their homes. The United Nations held a ‘High-Level Pledging Event for the Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen’ attended by senior figures in 60 international organizations and NGOs from 72 countries in Geneva on 25 April 2017.

Some experts emphasize that the fundamental approaches are necessary to put an end to repetitive conflicts.
“Along with binding mechanisms including international agreements and legal framework in the country, creating a culture of peace that promotes the mindset of peacebuilding through the participation of all sectors is of tremendous importance to achieve immediate ceasefire and sustainable peace,” emphasized Mr. Ian Seo, general director of department of public relations, HWPL HQ.

We need a law that can limit war

“We support all the laws that limit the proliferation of armaments and contribute to the promotion of the world peace,” said Mr. Ayoub, Chief of Improve Your Society (ISYO) in “Piece of Peace” held in Sana, Yemen with 160 participants from 5 NGOs.

Mr. Hrant Bagratyan, the former Prime Minister of Armenia, said “The DPCW will be a good instrument against extremism, terrorism, war, and associations that will be a good base for the sustainability of peace” regarding the DPCW.

“We all have to support what we have to do with the same hearts. It is for living. Will you leave money and authority to our future generation who will live in this global village? There is nothing better than leaving a legacy to the future generation after achieving the world peace”
– Chairman Lee, HWPL

Source : https://thevoicebw.com/cooperation-to-leave-peace-as-a-legacy-for-the-future-generations/

If you want to know more about HWPL and DPCW?

hwpl official : http://hwpl.kr/

My posting : http://www.peacestep.com/2018/03/15/2nd-annual-commemoration-of-the-declaration-of-peace-and-cessation-of-war-dpcw/

Peace is up to you :0 Good luck!

Olympic Spirit : Passion drives me

Passion drives me

“Only 30% of Moo Hyun’s right calf muscles remain”

Moo Hyun Choi(26), a former Korean national snowboarding athlete, can’t do exercise any more. He has been living together with his snowboard for 20 years.

To the person who regarded snowboarding as everything, a serious injury to his right calf was incurred during one of the training sessions. He spent around 1 year in the hospital and repeatedly received surgeries. The doctor in charge even gave a grave diagnosis of a slim chance of recovery.

“Only 30% of Moo Hyun’s right calf muscles remain”

In the situation of not knowing when recovery would be possible, he received the question “now that you are a failed athlete, what will you do in your life?”

Olympic Spirit : Life of peace activists

But he never gives up. He was the weakest I had ever been in my life, so he really needed some type of goal that I could look towards. “Moving forward, we need to put forth even more efforts to solve this problem on a domestic, national and international level. When war breaks out, it is the young people who lose their lives first. Too much time has already passed. Now is the time for us to speak out. If the youth and the citizens unite as one and raise their voices for peace, then the world will not be able to ignore them. It is impossible to change the course of history with the strength of only one person. However, history can always be changed by people.”

This is the Olympic Spirit that can be seen in practice through the many efforts of the athlete Choi Moo Hyun. With this heart, he concluded the interview by leaving this message for all of the youths and readers.

“Through sports, many people can set aside their ideals, their thoughts, and all of those types of things, and with a united passion and heart peace can be achieved when people join in the work of peace as one.”
– Moo Hyun Choi

Peace is up to you :0 Good luck!

Legislate Peace Campaign in the world

The HWPL Fiji Peace Steering Committee was launched to bring together a group of Fijians from religious communities, youth organizations, and civil society to actively promote peace activities in Fiji.

About 4,000 students from Mindanao State University in the Philippines hoped to put an end to current, and prevent future, ideologies of extremism and violence through the Peace Walk.

The DPCW was introduced at the international law conference attended by Supreme Court justices, lawyers and law students in India, and the Supreme Court’s library was furnished with the DPCW through the active participation and support of the attendees.

Legislate Peace Campaign : DPCW

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 substantial and practical way 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

Official homepage : http://www.hwpl.kr/en/initiative/lawForPeace

“630 events 176 countries 1 million participants”

“When the light of heaven shines in the hearts of people, it becomes the light that never fades away.”
– HWPL

Peace is up to you :0 Good luck!

International Mine Awareness Day : Unexpected

International Mine Awareness Day in Mine Action

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated, “An unprecedented volume of landmines and unexploded weapons contaminates rural and urban war zones, maiming and killing innocent civilians long after conflict has ended. Mine action is vital.” To bring attention to this issue the General Assembly of the United Nations established the 4th of April as International Mine Awareness Day. It is estimated that approximately 110 million landmines still remain in the ground in various countries around the world.

“Advancing Protection, Peace and Development”

These landmines clearly show the lasting effects of war that continue to cause damage and loss of life even after the active conflicts have ceased. Articles 1 through 3 of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) address the prohibition of acts of aggression and the banning of weapons of war. According to Article 2 Clause 3 of the DPCW “States should take measures to ensure that existing weapons of mass destruction, weapons capable of causing widespread and unnecessary suffering and weapons incompatible with international humanitarian law are gradually dismantled or destroyed.”

“The War is Over, but Where is the Peace?”

Peace is up to you :0 Good luck!

Quotes for Young Leaders of Nonprofit

Young Leaders of Nonprofit

“We must remember that one determined person can make a significant difference, and that a small group of determined people can change the course of history.”
– Sonia Johnson

“Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”
– Theodore Roosevelt

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
– Anne Frank

“Find a need and fill it.”
– Ruth Stafford Peale

Why not change the world

Can make a significant difference

“Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition. It asks too little of yourself. Because it’s only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential.”
-Barack Obama

“If you’re walking down the right path and you’re willing to keep walking, eventually you’ll make progress.”
-Barack Obama

“Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value.”
– Albert Einstein

“Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it.”
– Ella Williams

Peace is up to you :0 Good luck!

World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) for Harmony

World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW)

World Interfaith Harmony Week is a UN resolution for a worldwide week of interfaith harmony. It was proposed in 2010 by King Abdullah II and Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad of Jordan. The World Interfaith Harmony Week falls in the first week of February of every year and aims to promote harmony between all people regardless of their faith. Personally, I think the aims and ends of everything are really so cool. When it looks different from reality, I feel skeptical and helpless. On the other hand, I’m relieved to know there are others who strive to make the world better place without a stop. What should I choose? I have to fight.

“It is essential to resist forces of division that spread misunderstanding and mistrust especially among peoples of different religions. The fact is, humanity everywhere is bound together, not only by mutual interests, but by shared commandments to love God and neighbor. What we are proposing is a special week, during which the world’s people, in their own places of worship, could express the teachings of their own faith about tolerance, respect for the other and peace.” – King Abdullah

HWPL Religious Youth Peace Camp in Iraq

“Let us achieve peace by understanding each religion”

HWPL shares the mutual goal with the UN to promote harmony and understanding between all people regardless of their religion. So it has operated the World Alliance of Religion’s Peace (WARP) Offices and HWPL Religious Youth Peace Camp. The WARP Office meetings is the series of interfaith dialogue based on each scripture(more info). The HWPL Religious Youth Peace Camp was held for the first time in the Middle East in line with the UN Harmony Week on 7 February, 2018. The title is “Let us achieve peace by understanding each religion”. The camp was co-hosted by HWPL and the President and Dean of Halabja University in Iraq. About 200 attendees including religious leaders coming from Christianity, Islam, and KaKai, and university representatives gathered at the Halabja University. In Gwangju city of Korea, 90 members of the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG) participated in the camp through Skype. I’m looking forward to the future of these youth. 🙂

“I think this camp is a true way to spread peace and religious coexistence and educate students and young people to know what religious coexistence is and how to apply. I hope this project may be extended to hold camps and other meetings. We at Halabja University are very eager to do this” – Dr. Nariman Abdulla Ali, Dean of College of Human Sciences

Peace is up to you :0 Good luck!

2nd Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) #3

2nd Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)

“A Call for Building a World of Peace and Realizing Justice“

On March 14, 2018, I sat at a quiet cafe and watched ‘2nd DPCW’ live broadcast in Australia. The sky was so clear today. Maybe you don’t know, now I’m studying abroad in Australia. I’m from Korea. Unlike Korea, here seems to be more relaxing. ‘Did I come this far and learn all the things to learn?’ ‘Why am I here?’ On these thoughts, I heard the news from HWPL. Today is the 2nd Annual Commemoration of the DPCW. I know a lot of peace groups, but I don’t believe any one. Because they are only saying about peace, not moving. But I can’t help putting my trust in HWPL. We can know them by their walking. This time, we check more about this commemoration.

71 Countries Cry out for DPCW

The 2nd Annual Commemoration of the DPCW in Seoul was held in conjunction with 166 cities in 71 countries including Los Angeles and Washington D.C. in the United States, Germany, Ukraine, Britain, and China totaling approximately 150,000 worldwide participants. They shouted together around the world. Representatives of religion, government and civic groups expressed their solidarity for the passage of an international peace law at this commemoration. But the beginning was definitely one. In a few years, so many people are joining. What’s gonna happen in a few years? Join in the vast flow of peace that can’t stop.

HWPL is an international peace nonprofit organization registered with the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) and the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

Messengers of Peace are crying out

“Rather than waiting to take peace for granted, it is we who should put an end to war to protect humanity and our globe, and leave peace as a legacy for future generations,” said Mr. Man Hee Lee, Chairman of HWPL. “Laws of today cannot compensate for the lives sacrificed from war. What we need is an instrument that protects human life, the very law that prevents war,” said Lee.

Mr. Pravin H. Parekh, President of Confederation of Indian Bar, who participated in drafting the DPCW said, “No human being and no animal on planet Earth can survive from weapons (of mass destruction). Even an error or an accident can cause widespread, irreparable damage to human life and property. We all have to work 365 days and 24 hours together for peace as a messenger of peace.”

“We urge all those yearning for peace and justice to take the right path, not the path marked with lies, and join the effort to build peace together.”
– Chairman Lee of HWPL