Turkey has a very diverse culture that is a blend of various elements of the Turkic, Anatolian, Ottoman and Western culture and traditions. Also, Turkey is not the only country in the world that is famous for its beautiful textiles, but only Turkey has Tulu, an amazing shop with a myriad of exceptionally colorful goods. Turkish culture is a product of efforts to be a “modern” Western state, while maintaining traditional religious and historical values.
The news of peace is also heard in Turkey, which is so beautiful.
Türk Gençler Sultanahmet’te Barış Etkinliği Düzenledi
The event took place in cooperation with the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG) and HWPL, under the leadership of the Chairman Man Hee Lee. In the event, historical beauties such as Sultanahmet and Hagia Sophia were in the middle of the square. The participants painted the Turkish flag and showed their support for the peace campaign. Turkey was also performed simultaneously with similar events in many places in the world.
Stating the importance of DPCW, the Chairman Man Hee Lee said, “DPCW represents the will of global citizens. Societies want to be at peace and to live together in peace. This declaration advocates that everyone should build peace. The DPCW’s 10 articles and 38 clauses provide the basis for the peace of all world communities.”
About Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)
The DPCW dates back to South Korea, where 150,000 people called for and participated in the Peace Letter Campaign. The declaration focuses on resolving conflicts in many regions around the world through international cooperation. It is also stated that the implementation of international law is of critical importance for achieving world peace and spreading the culture of peace.
India is the country of the oldest religions of the world. It was home to many great Saints, yogis and high minded people from the ancient time. All religions preach Peace. So, Religiously, India is a peace loving nation.
But now, India’s rank has slipped five places to 141 among 163 countries on the Global Peace Index 2019. India, the US, China, Saudi Arabia, and Russia are the top five countries with the largest total military expenditure. Also, the score for internal conflicts fought had the highest rating at five in both India and Pakistan.
Peace most important: India after Iran warns of revenge on US for Soleimani death
India is on the brink of disaster. Increase in tensions had alarmed the world. “Peace, stability and security in this region (are) of utmost importance to India,” the External Affairs Ministry said. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that a “harsh retaliation is waiting” for the US.
Hundreds of people in Tehran, the capital of Iran, shout slogans against the United States as they stage a demonstration in the Muslim-majority region. “The axis of any evil in America, the motto of religion and the Koran is death to America,” they said in unison.
Even under these circumstances, there have always been people who strive for peace.
2014~2020: HWPL footsteps with India
In 2014, Dr. Bharti Gandhi attended the HWPL World Peace Summit and signed the World Alliance of Religions Agreement as a representative Bahaism. Since then, she has been actively working and cooperating with HWPL.
On the 16th World Peace Tour, HWPL Chairman Man Hee Lee attended the International Conference of Chief Justices of the World held in the City Montessori School of India, a school ran by Dr. Bharti Gandhi and her husband, Dr. Jagdish Gandhi. Chairman Lee has been maintaining a close relationship with them for peace.
In 2018, the City Montessori School signed an MOU with HWPL for Peace Education, and they began to implement HWPL’s Peace Education which marked the beginning of a new phase in their peace work.
In 2019, about 4,000 students from the City Montessori School organized the Legislate Peace project which supports the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), and many HWPL members were in attendance. The City Montessori School asked HWPL to teach them how to embody the spirit of peace culture and cultural performances; afterward, the school’s staff visited South Korea and learned about the cultural performances of the World Peace Summit.
In 2019, the 20th International Conference of Chief Justices of the World was held in the City Montessori School from November 6 to 12. The City Montessori School learned how to organize a World Peace Summit parade and held a cultural performance of peace. Greatly impressed and inspired by the performance, chief justices and political leaders were introduced to HWPL and the DPCW, and they promised to take part in HWPL’s peace movement. The culture of peace, which gathered the hearts of distinguished leaders around the world as one, proved that it is the answer to achieve peace.
In 2019, on November 11, HWPL Religious Peace and Harmony was held and brought harmony among religious leaders in India. At this event, religious leaders of Buddhism, Hinduism, the Catholic Church, Islam, Jainism, Sikhism, and Bahaism from Lucknow attended and discussed the issue of peace and harmony among religions.
Dr. Jagdish Gandhi, the Founder of the City Montessori School, notably emphasized that all religions are one. The presider was Mr. Manu Singh, the Chairman of Sarva Dharma Samvaad, and religious leaders from each religious group signed the World Alliance of Religions Agreement.
What comes to your mind when you think about your school days? What did you do? I think all I did was eating, studying and playing with my friends.
Let’s take a look at what these 80 students have done.
DPCW Article 10 : Spreading the Culture of Peace
To celebrate United Nations Day, 24 October, students of Bethel Knox paraded in a variety of costumes representing different cultures and nations. Paraders dressed in respective national dresses marched and chanted, “Spread the culture of peace,” the title of the 10th article of the DPCW, stirring air of hope amongst the audience for a world united with peace.
There is a reason why this is more meaningful. The Philippines has a history of many conflicts and wars. So people have a longing for peace in their hearts. These are expressed in children’s pure behavior. What happens when these kids grow up? Will the world change?
Philippines is changing
Bethel Knox students recently started taking the HWPL Peace Education program, and their faces gleamed with excitement and anticipation for a future of peace throughout the event. Bethel Knox is offering the HWPL Peace Education program to inspire students with the spirit of peace and nurture future peace activists.
Peace Education is set to serve as a building block to bring people of diverse ethnicities and cultures together to call for peace. Students who finish the Peace Education courses will become the beacon of a brighter and more peaceful future.
After the parade, students presented dance performances to celebrate “a day of marching toward peace,” followed by a multicultural feast with international cuisines including a boodle fight, a traditional Filipino meal.
I hope that this will serve as an opportunity to think about what we can do about peace. 🙂 Supporting DPCW is one way.
The country has been locked in conflict since 2013 when President Salva Kiir fired his then Vice-President Riek Machar. A peace deal signed in September 2018 has never been implemented. In the five years of conflict, nearly 400,000 people have been killed and more than four million have fled the country. Will peace come to South Sudan like magic?
HWPL Media Forum in South Sudan
‘The 1st HWPL Media Forum’ in South Sudan took place at The Dawn Newspaper Office in Juba, South Sudan on the 31st of August. The HWPL Media Forum is where journalists discuss what they can practically do for peace and development of the society. At the forum, journalists, youth leaders and all participants discussed the role of public education for peacebuilding and made an action plan.
Samir Abdalkarim Bol Monok, the president of The Mail, said that, “We should not write wrong information and should check it before releasing it to public consumption. In that sense, the forum is good for us to bring peace among our communities.”
Jukeji Paul, a newscaster of SSBC, said that, “We as journalists can a play big role in bringing peace to the world, especially by working together with citizens and governments.”
The 7th HWPL Intercontinental Online WARP Office Meeting is held now. The topic is “About Food.” Food is inextricably linked with culture.
It is also an inseparable element in Religion. We hope that through this time, we will be able to understand and communicate the teachings of each religion through the meaning of food.
I will introduce some about WARP Office. The Intercontinental Online WARP Office meeting is a special platform where panelists, representing their respective religions, from around the globe gather to discuss their religious scriptures in the spirit of peace. You also can participate in the discussion to ask any questions.
Aren’t you curious about what each scripture is saying?
Session 1 : Islam, Sikhism and Hinduism
Date: Nov. 21 2019, UTC 6:00~8:00
Session 2 : Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism
Date: Nov. 21 2019, UTC 13:00~15:00
What is HWPL WARP Office?
I’m trying to explain briefly to some people who don’t know. In WARP Summit 2014, certain politicians and religious people get together and promise each other something to do for peace. At the center was HWPL Chairman Man Hee Lee.
HWPL then figured out the fundamental reason why conflicts between religions are caused by misunderstanding, and worked on the comparison of the scriptures of each religion. It is the HWPL WARP Office. Conversation on the basis of the scripture is to enhance mutual understanding and to bring religious people together first.
At the 2019 world peace summit, HWPL Chairman Man Hee Lee encouraged other religious leaders to join the HWPL WARP Office meetings by saying “let us gather and compare scriptures to fulfill our goal. We need a common standard to compare scriptures. You have to judge for yourself. Religions cannot achieve harmony until we have a common understanding of scriptures. HWPL WARP Office meetings must do this.”
Australia is the world’s 6th largest country by area. Due to its large size and isolation from the rest of the world, Australia is sometimes known as the ‘island continent’. The largest cities in Australia are Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. A desert area known as the ‘outback’ covers much of the land. (Ref)
And the Great Barrier Reef is the largest eco-system in the world. The wind of peace is blowing in Australia, where the natural scenery and big cities are excellent.
Sydney, “Peace Heroes of History” Conference
Sydney, September 8, 2019
8th of September, 2019, Sydney held its Peace Conference “Peace Heroes of History.” The Peace Conference had three sub-sections, and began by celebrating and paying tribute to the work of revolutionary peace heroes the world has seen in the past, such as Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Imam Hussein.
The next segment showcased the incessant work of peace icons, global spiritual leaders and peace activists of today, such as the 14th Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh and Man Hee Lee, Chairman, HWPL. The final section focused on the future and explored the next steps for peace. They discussed how to establish the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), and what role each layer can play for peace.
Melbourne, all-day ‘Peace, Harmony and Environmental Sustainability’ peace fair
Melbourne, September 8, 2019
HWPL Melbourne & IPYG have hosted several peace activities in the last 5 years, in the Melbourne CBD, St Kilda, City of Port Phillip, Manningham and White Horse, including city clean-up drive, tree planting volunteer work, youth peace walks and Youth Ethnic Sports – YES for Peace, monthly WARP office interfaith dialogue forums.
Brisbane, a flash-mob dance in Queens Garden
Brisbane, September 7, 2019
Based on the 10th Article of the DPCW, Spreading a Culture of Peace, members of the community and several peace organizations came together to dance on the theme “Make Your Mark”, to encourage members of the society to begin taking definitive steps for peace.
I think that the present peace has been achieved because there is someone who is trying for peace. We are perhaps standing on the shoulders of many people. First of all, I would like to thank HWPL Australia for trying to make peace, and this is not just happening in Australia.
With a worldwide phenomenon, no one can stop the enormous flow of peace. We can do it! You can do it! We are one!
Berlin, Germany, The Conference for the Sustainable Peace
On the September 9th and 10th 2019, the “5th Annual Commemoration of the September 18th World Peace Summit” was held in Hilton Berlin, Germany hosted by Heavenly Culture World Peace Restoration of Light (HWPL), an international peace NGO, in cooperation with international community organizations and governments.
The Summit was joined by 100 participants including Former Prime Minister of East Germany, the Ambassador of South Sudan in Germany and delegates from the government of Germany and Romania, legal experts, religious leaders, and representatives from media, youth, and civil society.
Topic is that “The Spreading of Culture of Peace in Europe”
However, it is a century plagued by conflict, terrorism, extremism, fundamentalism and all types of threats created by mankind, as a result of differences in ideology, religion and culture.
In this regard, there is an acute need to implement a culture of peace and the adjoining education efforts. Implementing a culture of peace is easy, as long as people and institutions are dedicated to fully endorsing it. Campaigns must be performed in order to raise the awareness among people, from the youngest to the oldest, that peace is the ultimate solution in the face of disaster.
The very words ”peace” and ”cessation of war” have inside the roots of establishing a new international community, one that would be open to dialogue and that would thus prosper. Peace brings prosperity; war brings financial collapse.
People from Various Sectors Gathered in Fiji to Call for Sustainable Peace and Development
The “2019 HWPL World Peace Summit” was held at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, Fiji, on September 3rd with the theme of “Legislate Peace – Implementation of the DPCW for Sustainable Development.” In attendance were the representatives of women and youth organizations, religious leaders, media, and political leaders, including the Minister of Youth and Sports and the Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports.
The participants discussed the necessity of bringing peace in the South Pacific Islands and the plan to urge the heads of each state in the South Pacific Islands to cooperate with the peace projects. After the MOU signing ceremony between HWPL and media outlets including ‘The Island Sun’ of Solomon Islands and ‘Nuku’alofa Times’ of Tonga, about 100 participants wrote letters to support the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW).
Through the “Legislate Peace” projects, HWPL has received supporting signatures and peace letter responses from various sectors of global society including Tuvalu and Kiribati among the South Pacific nations.
The 5th International Religious Leaders Conference was held at TheK Hotel in Seoul, South Korea on 19 September. Over 1,300 people including religious leaders were in attendance at the conference which was a part of the 2019 World Peace Summit. HWPL is hosting HWPL World Alliance of Religions Peace (WARP) Office meetings and Religion Peace Camps around the world.
It’s time to show their achievements and search for ways of improvement. It’s not visible, but the world has changed a lot. If you want to see more specific?
HWPL Chairman Man Hee Lee encouraged other religious leaders to join the HWPL WARP Office meetings by saying “let us gather and compare scriptures to fulfill our goal. We need a common standard to compare scriptures. You have to judge for yourself. Religions cannot achieve harmony until we have a common understanding of scriptures. HWPL WARP Office meetings must do this.”
2019 Conference for the Implementation of the Declaration
“Legislate Peace” – Implementation of the DPCW for Sustainable Development
On the 19th, the second day of the 2019 World Peace Summit, experts and citizens gathered to share the achievements and focused on the “Legislate Peace” (LP) project. They were creating a huge stream of peace.
Mr. Man Hee Lee, Chairman of HWPL, explained the necessity of introducing new provisions of peace to international law by stating, “It is no small task to introduce new provisions to international law. Then we need to know why new ones are needed. This is because wars cannot be ceased with current international law, and if so, peace cannot come to the world. Current international law makes exceptions for the use of force, so wars cannot be ceased. The HWPL International Law Peace Committee, which is composed of world-renowned experts in law, drafted the DPCW. If you think its content is needed for humanity to live and better than the present, it should be carried out.”.
Since the founding of IWPG in 2013, many diverse peace activities and campaigns to spread the culture of peace has been held for the realization of world peace and for the peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula. As a part of creating the policy for the realization of world peace, we must lead the children and youth, who will be the future leaders, into a culture of peace.
In order to create a wind of peace, the the 1st International Loving-Peace Art Competition under the theme, “Peace, let’s be friends!”, was planned and held last year and hosted for the 2nd time this year. Starting this year, the event expanded internationally and is currently being recognized as a high quality event, not only in Korea but also internationally.
I had a lot of fun watching the Drumline when I was young.
2nd Award Ceremony of “International Loving-Peace Art Competition”
It’s a 1st prize-winning painting.
I want these children to grow up and live in peace. The best thing we can do is to leave peace as a legacy to future generations. No one knows, but IWPG strives for peace like this. As peace NGOs like IWPG are moving, peace can surely be achieved.
![A STEP TOWARDS PEACE [IWPG] The 2nd Award Ceremony of "International Loving-Peace Art Competition" Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace](http://www.peacestep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IWPG-International-Loving-Peace-Art-Competition-5-1024x577.jpg "A STEP TOWARDS PEACE Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace")
![A STEP TOWARDS PEACE [IWPG] The 2nd Award Ceremony of "International Loving-Peace Art Competition" Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace](http://www.peacestep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IWPG-International-Loving-Peace-Art-Competition-1-1024x577.jpg "A STEP TOWARDS PEACE Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace")
![A STEP TOWARDS PEACE [IWPG] The 2nd Award Ceremony of "International Loving-Peace Art Competition" Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace](http://www.peacestep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IWPG-International-Loving-Peace-Art-Competition-2-1024x577.jpg "A STEP TOWARDS PEACE Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace")
![A STEP TOWARDS PEACE [IWPG] The 2nd Award Ceremony of "International Loving-Peace Art Competition" Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace](http://www.peacestep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IWPG-International-Loving-Peace-Art-Competition-3-1024x577.jpg "A STEP TOWARDS PEACE Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace")
![A STEP TOWARDS PEACE [IWPG] The 2nd Award Ceremony of "International Loving-Peace Art Competition" Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace](http://www.peacestep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IWPG-International-Loving-Peace-Art-Competition-4-1024x577.jpg "A STEP TOWARDS PEACE Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace")
![A STEP TOWARDS PEACE [IWPG] The 2nd Award Ceremony of "International Loving-Peace Art Competition" Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace](http://www.peacestep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IWPG-International-Loving-Peace-Art-Competition-7-1024x577.jpg "A STEP TOWARDS PEACE Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace")
![A STEP TOWARDS PEACE [IWPG] The 2nd Award Ceremony of "International Loving-Peace Art Competition" Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace](http://www.peacestep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IWPG-International-Loving-Peace-Art-Competition-9-1024x768.jpg "A STEP TOWARDS PEACE Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace")
![A STEP TOWARDS PEACE [IWPG] The 2nd Award Ceremony of "International Loving-Peace Art Competition" Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace](http://www.peacestep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IWPG-International-Loving-Peace-Art-Competition-6-1024x577.jpg "A STEP TOWARDS PEACE Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace")
![A STEP TOWARDS PEACE [IWPG] The 2nd Award Ceremony of "International Loving-Peace Art Competition" Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace](http://www.peacestep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IWPG-International-Loving-Peace-Art-Competition-10-1024x768.jpg "A STEP TOWARDS PEACE Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace")
![A STEP TOWARDS PEACE [IWPG] The 2nd Award Ceremony of "International Loving-Peace Art Competition" Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace](http://www.peacestep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IWPG-International-Loving-Peace-Art-Competition-11-1024x768.jpg "A STEP TOWARDS PEACE Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace")
![A STEP TOWARDS PEACE [IWPG] The 2nd Award Ceremony of "International Loving-Peace Art Competition" Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace](http://www.peacestep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IWPG-International-Loving-Peace-Art-Competition-12-1024x768.jpg "A STEP TOWARDS PEACE Together_Peace Peace man hee lee peace LovingPeaceArt IWPG HWPL friend DPCW Competition AwardCeremony 2ndArtcompetition #LegislatePeace")