Steps toward Peace Archives - Page 5 of 39

[Replay] HWPL’s 8th Peace Walk

HWPL’s 8th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace

Subtitle: Citizen-Led Peacebuilding Initiative for Global Coexistence and Harmony

Date: May, 25th, 2021

The replay I missed so much came out on YouTube! I think we can turn on the subtitles!

I’m always grateful when I watch videos of HWPL. Because I feel so relieved that there are still people in the world who shout for peace.

A STEP TOWARDS PEACE [Replay] HWPL's 8th Peace Walk Peacewalk IWPG IPYG Peace Walk hwpl peacewalk HWPL Declaration of World Peace chairman Lee #525_peacewalk

On May 25, 2021, HWPL’s 8th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace was held online and attended by 3,000 people from 150 countries around the world.

There have been many peace walking events, and May 25 was a truly meaningful peace festival.

I’ve walked with them before, too. It’s different from Santiago’s pilgrimage, but it’s the same. Why do people walk? I think it’s to find the answer. HWPL peace walking has a clear answer!

This year’s event aimed to discuss a citizen-led peace movement and cooperation to promote coexistence and harmony in the global community, and to overcome global challenges that stem from hatred, conflicts, misunderstanding, and lack of communication in this current pandemic era.

The event commemorated the Declaration of World Peace, proclaimed on May 25th in 2013. From this peace initiative, HWPL says that millions of global citizens for 8 years have participated in promoting peace projects.

These projects are locally fitted to creating a favorable environment of peace, including education, relief, and forums to offer public policies to meet the needs of the community.

Chairperson Pacale Isho Warda of Hammurabi Human Rights Organization(HHRO) in Iraq, who was appointed as Minister of Migration and Displacement by the UN from 2004 to 2005, introduced a legislation project of law that prevents violence against women and children in cooperation with IWPG.

Women and children are too prone to be victims of war. Especially these days, there are a lot of crimes, so I’m worried. What’s wrong with the world?

Ven. Ashin Htavara, General Secretary of All Burmese Monks Representative Committee in Norway, who went through the Saffron Revolution in 2007, stated that 3 HWPL Peace Libraries were established in Payapon, Myanmar and that a fourth library is currently being prepared.

He is a strong leader. He is a 625 veteran and is now approaching 90. But he is busier than anyone else for peace. Out of common sense, he’s really doing his best day by day. I admire him.

That’s all for the photo review. It’s best to see for yourself!

Peace is up to you :0 Good luck!

A tremendous online roar of peace! We are one!

On May 25, 2021, HWPL’s 8th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace was held online and attended by around 3,000 people from 150 countries around the world.

The event is held annually by an international peace NGO named Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) in association with its affiliated groups, International Peace Youth Group (IPYG) and International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG).

It couldn’t be opened last year due to Corona, but I’m so grateful that it’s reopened this time. As expected, COVID-19 cannot stop the flow of peace.

The Declaration of World Peace was proclaimed on May 25th in 2013. From this peace initiative, millions of global citizens for 8 years have participated in promoting peace projects.

There are too many to list, but the HWPL is the most substantial and powerful peace organisation I know. The scariest power is that people serve only peace for nothing. Are there people like this around you? I’m sure he’s a nice guy.

What is at the heart of this event?

the cooperation of each state to establish international law for peace
the role of the media in contribution to sharing information of peace
the active peace movement of youth and women

Why youth and women? They were the biggest victims of the war. But that’s why they’re trying to be the greatest actors for peace.

Chairwoman Pascale Isho Warda of Hammurabi Human Rights Organization(HHRO) in Iraq, who was appointed as Minister of Migration and Displacement by the UN from 2004 to 2005, introduced a legislation project of law that prevents violence against women and children in cooperation with IWPG.

Regarding the importance of peace activities through education, she said, “We need to learn the mechanism of guiding everyone to become a tool of peace, strengthening from daily life, and sometimes throughout the simplest matter of life, starting with personal peace with oneself, in the family, and with others.”

Ven. Ashin Htavara, General Secretary of All Burmese Monks Representative Committee in Norway, who went through the Saffron Revolution in 2007, stated that 3 HWPL Peace Libraries were established in Payapon, Myanmar and that a fourth library is currently being prepared.

“There are too few libraries for children in Myanmar. I wanted to give hope to these little children. In the future, the library will conduct peace education, peace activities, and peace campaigns, and we will do everything that can help achieve peace,” he said.

Is there a possibility of peace in the future?

No one knows about it. But the only thing I can be sure of is that it goes our way. One might be skeptical of us as naive people. But I believe in the power of words and writings. I believe in the power of thought. We will be just as we thought.

Do you know a miracle in Maowusu(毛鳥素) desert? It is a story about a woman(Yin Yuzhen, 殷玉眞) who has worked for decades to create dozens of kilometers of forest in the desert.

Twenty years old, she did not give in. She woke up at 3 a.m., went to a seedling farm 19 kilometers away, bought seedlings and grass seeds, and when grass grew, the hard labor of planting trees on them. It became her daily routine for 20 years.

Let us all leave peace as a legacy of future generations.

“It is we in this day who have to do all the necessary things to make peace and prevent our globe from being destroyed. War does not end with words, but it comes to an end with our practical actions. I believe that this can be achieved since no one in our global village is not willing to see peace,” highlighted Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL.

Peace is up to you :0 Good luck!

Myanmar Crisis: How can we help?

Myanmar Crisis TIMELINE (death toll)

February 1: The military detains Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint and other senior figures from the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) in an early morning raid.

A military coup was successful, and at the same time, all the Internet was blocked across Myanmar, and soldiers are deployed on the roads.

February 7 to 17: But the citizens soon took to the streets, and they fought really hard. Already aware of democratization, they could not stop the demonstration. It’s not just them, it’s their future. About 100,000 people gathered in Yangon on February 17.

Starting with water cannons, tear gas, rubber bullets, and even real bullets, two people were shot. One of them died a few days later.

February 19: Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing, the young woman shot in the head in Naypyidaw, dies from her wounds.

February 28: At least 18 people killed as police fire on protesters, the UN human rights office says.

March 3: At least 38 people killed in bloodiest crackdown, UN says.

March 26: The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a human rights organization in Myanmar (Burma), said the cumulative death toll was 328.

March 27 Armed Forces Day: Myanmar NOW, a local media outlet, said 114 citizens died in one day on the 27th. That means the total number of deaths is over 450.

more detailed info about TIMELINE
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/23/timeline-of-events-in-myanmar-since-february-1-coup

Human rights violations become more violent

It’s getting bolder and more serious. There are so many on YouTube. It shows how military and police officers treat citizens. It is so sad..

“The cruelty of Myanmar’s military and police yesterday was a different dimension than what we’ve seen,” the BBC said. “It’s painful to count the number of deaths, especially for children.”

According to local media in Myanmar, more than 20 children have died in the two months since the military coup.

Also, citizens who did not participate in the demonstration were shot dead by military and police.

“A drinking water delivery man and a passerby were shot to death in the head and stomach,” said a nurse working in Yangon.

How can we help?

Myanmar nun Sister Ann Rose Nu Tawng knelt down and begged them.

“I knelt down… begging them not to shoot and torture the children, but to shoot me and kill me instead,” she told AFP.

The one nun raised a great deal of courage around the world. The Pope also mentioned her. Many people have been rooting for Myanmar since the crisis began.

The HWPL issued a statement and appealed to the world.

“We, Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), express deep concern over the situation in Myanmar, which has caused casualties and posed grave threats to human rights.”

“Human life must not be disregarded in any circumstances. No conflict of interest can justify violence against civilians, and no interest of any group can prevail over human life.”

“HWPL, along with our members all over the globe are deeply concerned about the harm caused to civilians by the escalating violence in Myanmar. International attention is focused on Myanmar, and history will remember these moments.”

Reference:
https://www.hwpl.kr/en/news/view/210316507/0/HWPLStatementonHumanRightsCrisisinMyanmar

The HWPL is the most notable and powerful peace organization in recent years, with hundreds of thousands of members from more than 100 countries.

It is not possible by one’s own strength. Let’s all be one and support.

Peace is up to you 🙂 Good luck!

625 Korean War after 70 years

The Korean War was a war between North Korea and South Korea. The war began on 25 June 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea.

At the end of World War II, the Soviet Union and the United States liberated Korea from imperial Japanese colonial control on 15 August 1945. But peace did not last five years, and countless people killed each other.

It is incomprehensible to think that both South and North Koreans suffered a great deal from Japanese colonialism. However, it is understandable to see that strong countries around the world have been playing politics over the Korean Peninsula.

A STEP TOWARDS PEACE 625 Korean War after 70 years The Korean War Manheelee Korean war veteran 70 years 625 war

Whose advantage is this? The people only die every time. What does it mean to them? A vain ideology? Who can repay the life?

Dates: Jun 25, 1950 – Jul 27, 1953
Total civilians killed: 2–3 million
South Korea: 990,968 killed/wounded
North Korea: 1,550,000 killed/wounded

Also, there were not a few cases of torture, atrocities, massacres and sexual assaults common in wars. There are many movies and books. Was there any happiness in it?

Dr. Victor Frankl says that even in that situation, one finds meaning in life. But war is all a tragedy. It’s just pain. Countless Korean War veterans testify. Who can compensate for the tragedy of war?

Mr. Man Hee Lee, a Korean War veteran, said the bullets and shells rained down, and they don’t know if their colleague was dead or alive. He couldn’t take off bloody military uniform. It was a tragedy of fratricidal conflict.

#ShareYourStory
🇬🇧Korean War Veteran Tommy Clough was attached to the Gloucestershire Regiment. He was 19 years old when the Glosters were cut off from their brigade at the Battle of the Imjin River. Captured, he walked 600 miles to the prison camp. https://t.co/jEUQ97KyeV pic.twitter.com/86Ndj5N8Mo
— United Nations Command (@UN_Command) June 24, 2020

Why do we repeat tragedy? Someone might be trying to get a benefit. Is it a virtue that I live better than others? I won’t raise my child like this. I want to raise a child who can be ashamed of having a lot.

I wish I could become such a wonderful adult.

Peace is up to you :0 Good luck!

UNHCR l 2020 World Refugee Day “Every Action Counts”

In Wikipedia, World Refugee Day, international observance observed June 20 each year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the situation of refugees throughout the world. This is today!

From my point of view, the activities against refugees seem to be the most noticeable among the activities of the United Nations. This is just my idea.

My dream is actually to work for an international organization like the United Nations. I want to build a career that can help more people, and do something really cool. I think it’s really wonderful for people to get closer to peace. I wish there was something I did during the process. 🙂

2020 Theme: Every Action Counts

The COVID-19 pandemic and the recent anti-racism protests have shown us how desperately we need to fight for a more inclusive and equal world: a world where no one is left behind. It has never been clearer that all of us have a role to play in order to bring about change. Everyone can make a difference.

This is at the heart of UNHCR’s World Refugee Day campaign. This year, we aim to remind the world that everyone, including refugees, can contribute to society and Every Action Counts in the effort to create a more just, inclusive, and equal world. (Source: UN page)

The refugee issue is really a global issue. Because 70.8 million people around the world have been forced from home by conflict and persecution at the end of 2018. Among them are nearly 30 million refugees, over half of whom are under the age of 18… If I were one of them, I would have felt terrible remorse for life.

Unless I jump directly into their lives, it seems that I inevitably have to be a hypocrisy. I want to try not to feel ashamed. Still, there is little I can do, but they seem to comfort us all.

Everyone can make a difference

Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said “UNHCR is no stranger to challenges. For over 70 years we have been on the frontlines of countless emergencies.

Yet this global pandemic is of an entirely new magnitude. Our priority has been and will be, to stay and deliver for the refugees, internally displaced and stateless people we are mandated to protect. But we can’t do it alone.

Whoever you are. No matter where you come from. Every one of us can make a difference. Every action truly counts.“

This campaign seems to be a great project to urge everyone to join. HWPL, a peace organization that shouted, “Let’s all be one, We Are One” also came to mind. After all, what I felt was that peace was feasible when we all joined in and accomplished things, and otherwise it was not possible. 🙁

Ref: https://www.unhcr.org/news/press/2020/6/5eeb289c4/2020-world-refugee-day-statement-un-high-commissioner-refugees-filippo.html

UNHCR “Live blog” Worldwide

Countless people are celebrating this day. This year, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is asking people from all walks of life to join #WithRefugees. I’ll just take a look at one thing.

Ref: https://www.unhcr.org/news/latest/2020/6/5ee8cefa4/live-blog-world-refugee-day-difference.html

Miami, Florida, USA

Venezuelan superstar and UNHCR High Profile Supporter Danny Ocean regales fans worldwide with a Couch Concert on the eve of World Refugee Day.

¡ESTO EMPIEZA YA!@Dannocean y @gianmarcomusica presentados por @ponchohd #ConLosRefugiados #DíadelRefugiado https://t.co/XyTLHwLz1z https://t.co/6x0y4g6Jds pic.twitter.com/ae1gBd6mO2
— Acnur/Unhcr Américas (@ACNURamericas) June 19, 2020

I’m doing a live broadcast on YouTube right now. It was better than expected. It’s like watching a concert! I hope this article will be of any help to you. 🙂

Peace is up to you :0 Good luck!

How Pope Francis reacts to COVID-19

On April 17, Pope Francis shares his vision for Covid-19 aftermath in an exclusive meditation for Vida Nueva, the Spanish religious weekly, titled “Un plan para resucitar” which translates as “A plan to resurrect.”

What he said about the current situation is, “If there’s one thing we’ve been able to learn in all this time, it’s that no one is saved alone. Borders are falling, walls are crumbling and all fundamentalist discourses are dissolving before an almost imperceptible presence that shows the fragility of which we are made.”

The situation is worse than we thought. “The Great Lockdown is the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, and far worse than the Global Financial Crisis [of 2008],” International Monetary Fund (IMF) Chief Economist Gita Gopinath said on the 14th of April.

Is there any way to overcome this situation? In such a crisis situation, the ability of the state or company to deal with the crisis is revealed.
In fact, we usually only think this way, but there’s actually one more.
It’s each one of us.

Francis wrote that the only way to conquer the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is through “the antibodies of solidarity.” This antibody “will break all the fanaticism in which we had immersed ourselves and will allow us to feel ourselves to be the creators and protagonists of a common history and, thus, to respond jointly to so many ills that afflict millions of brothers around the world.”

Also he wrote, “If we act as one people, even in the face of the other epidemics that lie waiting for us, we can have a real impact.” I thought it was very similar to Man-hee Lee, the chairman of HWPL, who always shouted “We Are One!” His influence is powerful.

I think people who change the world think the same. All that remains now seems to be for us to practice those words. We can be cool enough. 🙂

Reference: https://cruxnow.com/covid-19/2020/04/pope-francis-hopes-after-pandemic-humanity-has-antibodies-of-justice-charity/

Peace is up to you :0 Good luck!

15 Minutes Playlist for Peace

These days, many people are self-isolating because of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). I want to do things that I haven’t been able to do during this period, and also I’m worried about people suffering from illness.

I want to recommend some songs that make you think.
It’s simple and short. 🙂

I just want you to be comfortable for 15 minutes.

“I’ve found peace far beyond all understanding” and “Peace is a promise You keep” are so impressive. While the phrase “peace is a promise” has never been thought of, it feels good.

I want to live a life that keeps that promise.

I’m not gonna be afraid
I’m not gonna be afraid
I’m not gonna fear the storm

I’m not gonna fear at all

The power of music is great. It creates power in unexpected places. have a communicative power. It is another education. Powerful.

I wish it were 15 minutes to make you feel good. Some of my friends got novel coronavirus (COVID-19). I pray that they are all healthy.

Peace is up to you :0 Good luck!

The Reason Why We Think Peace Is Not Important

I was going to talk about the importance of peace, but I felt I didn’t have to mention it any more. Because we already know it too well.

In fact, this is out of the question of knowing. What is the problem?
First, say it clearly. This is neither your fault nor mine. It’s all our fault.

It is none of your business

Most of us are busy making ends meet. I am also busy living my life. We don’t have time to pay attention.

We have learned the word peace from textbooks and lectures. Also, we even donate to UNICEF or Doctors Without Borders. Get a job, have a family, and raise children. Get old with my spouse.

Our lives were not always happy, but moderately unhappy, sometimes happy. Ten years after my death, at least one person will remember me.

A STEP TOWARDS PEACE The Reason Why We Think Peace Is Not Important Why peace? The Reason Why We Think Peace Is Not Important Manheelee It's all our fault It is none of your business Importance of peace HWPL

There is very little room for peace in this general life. If there is any overlap of misfortunes, there is no more room. This is the reality.

No one can blame us for this reality

We don’t blame anyone else. We don’t call each other hypocrites.

Because we make up the majority of mankind. Compared to mankind as a whole, the people facing war are a minority.

We don’t have to worry every night that the bomb will blow up our house. We don’t have to worry about how to live after mom and dad die in the war.

So, we don’t think peace is important. No, we maybe think it’s important and we talk about importance of peace, but we usually live off the top of our head.

I’m sorry. This is real.
I don’t want to let a little girl in Syria know this reality.

Change actually takes a long time. But I know that the most substantial and short-lived peace organization has achieved great achievements. So, I’m also thinking about pinning my hopes on it this time.

This posting is just my opinion. I want to say that I really respect everyone who works hard and risking their lives for peace.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,
Ming Taylor

Peace is up to you :0 Good luck!

What is the Influence of the Coronavirus? in Afghanistan

On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. The influence of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is global.

The coronavirus pandemic is accelerating, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said today in a press briefing as the number of deaths from covid-19 passed 15,000.

The number of confirmed cases is more than 360,000, according to the map and dashboard from Johns Hopkins University, though the true number of cases will be much higher. (Source)

Today, we are going to look at the impact on Afghanistan among them.

Influence of the Coronavirus on Afghan

“Most worrying is that Iran has disregarded the Afghan government’s plea to restrict border crossings, with as many as 15,000 people still crossing into Afghanistan daily.

All of the 21 confirmed coronavirus cases in Afghanistan involved travelers who had returned from Iran, according to Wahidullah Mayar, a spokesman for the Afghan health ministry.” – NY times

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/16/world/asia/afghanistan-coronavirus.html

A STEP TOWARDS PEACE What is the Influence of the Coronavirus? in Afghanistan WHO Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Taliban Shaidahe Hospital in Herat pandemic NY times novel coronavirus Major Gulzar Kohi Johns Hopkins University HWPL DPCW COVID-19 Afghanistan Afghan — Wiki commons / Afghan family

Even at the Shaidahe Hospital in Herat, 38 patients attacked staff members, then fled the hospital as police stood by. (One of them is positive)

According to the New York Times article, there are many shocking things happening. They don’t know who has the coronavirus. To be honest, they may be nervous.

But the problem is that the virus is not the only problem. They are fighting another virus. Major Gulzar Kohi, who leads the Afghan Army unit in a restive district of northern Baghlan Province, said “Coronavirus be damned.” He hadn’t slept in two days.

“I am busy fighting another virus — the Taliban.”

The Taliban is a guerrilla force. They’re going to have a meeting in closed spaces across the country, and this seems very dangerous. And the troops to stop them will be in danger of COVID-19.

One might think of this as an opportunity, but I hope you will refrain from doing so for everyone’s happiness and health. There is a way to get what we want without fighting. The method is for us to support the international law called DPCW.

Not long after, DPCW will erase the war itself from human history. 🙂

hwpl faq

Peace is up to you :0 Good luck!

South Sudanese Women are sowing Seeds of Peace with Ox Ploughs

What is the current situation in South Sudan?

Over seven million people — about two thirds of the population — are in need of aid, including around 6.9 million people experiencing hunger. Food security is expected to deteriorate more, with 7.7 million people estimated to face crisis levels of hunger. The ongoing conflict and insecurity have pushed millions to the brink of starvation for years. (MERCY CORPS statistics as of June 2019)

Due to persistent intercommunal violence, including cattle raids, revenge attacks and armed ambushes, many people in the region have been reduced to relying on relief aid.

Is there really no hope?

The more desperate man is, the stronger he becomes.

The first thing to do is to blame the system for creating this world imbalance, and then we’ll have to do what we do.

The Women is Strong

UN Photo/Isaac Billy
A woman awaits her return flight home at the UNMISS terminal of the Juba airport.

This time, women gathered strength. With support from the UN mission in the country, UNMISS, ox ploughs were handed to women’s groups.

“The challenge they reported was a lack of implements to increase their food production. That’s how the ox plough idea was born,” said Samuel Owoko, a representative of Sans Frontieres Germany, the organization implementing the project.

They did really great things. In the book of ‘Doing Good Better’, companies spend a lot of money to help, but in reality they are not helpful and often get in the way.

Ms. Agor, the women’s group leader, said “We have been using hand hoes, and with that you can only do so much. With these ox ploughs coming in, we shall cultivate bigger areas which will help us sustain our families throughout the long dry spell.”

She also had a message for the national authorities: “We want our Government to make sure that there is enough security so that we can bring in our bulls and cultivate. Without peace, that will not be possible. Right now, the roads are full of armed youth. They should go away so that our men can safely return with their cattle”.

Source: https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/03/1059712

I wish they were happier.
As she said, the best way is to stop the conflicts. I would like to tell her country to support the DPCW, the international law of peace. This is the perfect answer to peace.

I want to tell the women’s group again. The power of women is enormous! If the voices of 3.7 billion women around the world come together, no one will be able to stop them. IWPG will help you. 🙂

I sincerely hope that there will be peace in South Sudan.