We will take a look at the 2019 peace activities of IWPG. Families of peace around the world gathered at the 2019 World Peace Summit. IWPG Network has united 3.7 billion women worldwide as one. IWPG strengthened solidarity of peace across borders, race, and religions. In the 2019 International Women’s Peace Conference, the activities of IWPG in each country over the past year was shared and future directions were discussed.
Who is true hero of the world? Marvel? DC? Nope. You and Me who support DPCW
Around 500 influential people from 41 countries participated in the 2018 International Women’s Peace Conference.
“2018 Former and Current First Ladies International Peace Forum” was held. Women leaders who are born again as leaders of peace will take the lead in advocating and promoting DPCW for a peace international law.
The IWPG World Peace Conference—Harmony, Communication, and Peace with the 3.7 Billion Women in the World—attracted attention with the thousands of women participants and high quality events.
IWPG branches are being established throughout the world where women are hungry for peace. During the year 2019, 8 branches in 5 countries were established.
In March 2019, the first IWPG PR center was established. Here, as promised to future generations, we will educate peace and convey the value of true love.
IWPG attended the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in March 2019 and established its position as an international women’s organization. The 10 article and 38 clauses of the DPCW was promoted through various events prepared during CSW. Activities were held to support and promote the DPCW.
The IWPG is conducting a handwritten letter of peace campaign to urge political leaders from different countries to agree to support DPCW and to enact an international law. The Handwritten Letters of Peace has been published as a compilation of letters. It is being delivered to foreign ministers and heads of state of respective countries through the ambassadors of 191 countries.
IWPG Chairwoman said “we declare April 26th as the ‘International Women’s Day of Peace’ so that we can gather the hearts of 3.7 billion women around the world today for the realization of world peace and to eternally remember this day. We also support and urge the DPCW, the key to world peace and a peace international law, and have united women to be the messengers of peace in a new age.”
“IWPG Peace Lecturer Training” allows women around the world to learn and practice the spirit of peace. In 2019 there are 83 graduates from 12 countries around the world and about 200 students from 50 countries around the world.
In 2020, the IWPG’s walk of peace for the cessation of war will continue to be stronger.
“The noble motherhood of women is the strongest force and the answer to peace that protects children from war and leads mankind into a world of peace. Because half of the world’s population is women with the potential for peace, we can turn humanity into a peaceful world without war.
(…) 3.7 billion women from all over the world, and women from South Korea! I ask you to be the main force of peace with IWPG. Let’s add the wisdom we have accumulated and use the expertise we have worked for to make sure that peace is complete in this age of life. If your passion, 3.7 billion women, and the explosive power of youth add to the wisdom of the chairman Man Hee Lee, war will surely disappear in this world. We are one! Thank you.”
The highlight of IWPG is the 2019 International Women’s Peace Conference. The conference was hosted under the theme of “Extending the Network of 3.7 Billion Women to Urge and Support the DPCW and for the Peaceful Unification of the Korean Peninsula”. #DPCW#IWPGpic.twitter.com/dhtawGrTyW
Also, the Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL said “Shouldn’t we have a list of all the global women’s groups at the IWPG headquarters? Who should work? As you’ve seen, they’re all in HWPL. Former and incumbent presidents are appointed as peace advisers in our HWPL, including Supreme Court justices, National Assembly speakers, and university presidents. How strong we are!
We can do it, right? I just told you, if you had something like this, there’s nothing you can’t do, right? Isn’t that right? It’s greater than making tens of thousands of nukes, right? It’s more powerful. Let’s be one of you and try to bring the whole world into the IWPG and make peace together. I hope so. Thank you.”
“Thank you all for coming to the 2019 International Youth Peace Conference from afar.
IPYG currently works with about 5 million young people, 851 organizations in 111 countries around the world. The number 111 countries is a lot, right? There are active IPYG youth in more than half of the world.
So every morning when I wake up, there are so many different contacts from all over the world. He said, “I held a peace festival in my country yesterday,” and sent me a video of citizens dancing together. Another said “One thousand college students wrote a Peace Letter together. I’m so happy. I’m going to deliver this to the Chief Justice.”
And sometimes there are many heartbreaking stories. One of the IPYG’s overseas programs is a conference call for youth groups from around the world. There’s a head of a youth organization in Sierra Leone who has to attend it, and he can’t be reached until the day. So I called the local side in a hurry, and it turned out that there was a big flood in the country. “Oh, this is a big deal.” An ominous foreboding hit me. And the next day, a message came from Sierra Leone with a video. “There was a flood in our country yesterday. My house and school are full of water. We lost our place to live. Pray for us.”
Another time, we’re going to have a video conference to plan a youth culture program in Syria, and the head of the Syrian organization won’t be in the meeting. I haven’t been able to reach you for a few days, and a photo and a message arrived. It said that the civil war broke out. His house burned down, many friends were shot to death, and only he lived. I’ve been speechless for a while.
What is IPYG doing?
First, it’s a “Peace Walk.” Every year on May 25, the anniversary of the “Declaration of World Peace” proclaimed by the chairman of HWPL, Mr.Man Hee Lee, young people from all over the world hold a walking event. Young people march through the streets and shout “Legislate Peace.” It means, “Let’s make peace into law, we need a law to achieve peace.”
Second, it is a “Peace Letter Campaign.” Young people all over the world are writing handwritten letters to their presidents. In fact, many leaders have responded. So far, more than 20 national leaders from 17 countries have responded in support of the youth’s activities, including the U.S. President’s.
“First of all, I would like to appreciate to the Chairman of HWPL, Mr. Man Hee Lee as well as IPYG for giving me the chance to be here. My name is Aung Myint Thu who is a Myanmar youth as an earnest supporter of world peace as well as the unification of the Korean peninsula. Just as conflicts are happening in many places around the world, so are the regions where I was born. Most of young people can’t go to school when the war is occurred.
What will happen to the children in the future? They finally can’t receive the proper education and thousands of dreams will disappear. This experience has taught me how terrible war is and how to destroy a generation. Few years ago, I was in real war refugee and assigned to the particular refugee camp.
In there, I started an education activity for the youths and was working as an educator in a school of immigrant. In order to support youths from the region, I have set up the “Manaung Youth Networking Group” as the organization’s executive director in the year of 2011.
Here’s the youth, at the beginning of HWPL’s peace activity. The Chairman of HWPL, Mr. Man Hee Lee was the veteran of the Korean War in 1950 when he was a student. When the war occurs, students and young people are many of sacrificed and killed without power. Nothing can compensate for the lives of young people like flowers.
Therefore, Chairman Lee said he promised to build the peaceful world so that the war would not repeat itself, considering fallen comrades. I was greatly impressed by his motivation, passion and his steady practical ability for peace. Last year, when I attended the 4th Annual Commemoration of the September 18th World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Summit, he asked a favor to young people from all over the world.
Chairman Lee asked us to work with the country’s youth and students for peace as One. When I listened he’s speech and IPYG’s activities, I thought, “Yes, this is what I’ve dreamed of.” And I decided to be the peace messenger. As the result, I went back to Myanmar and I built a school for young people called “Plus/Positive Change Maker.”
After this event, I will return to my school as principal, and implement the IPYG’s peace education curriculum. This curriculum targets youths from elementary school students to under 35 years of age. They will receive about 7 months of basic education include specialization course.
Through the IPYG’s peace education curriculum, Young people properly will recognize themselves as decision makers of the future. And youths realize their empowerment into positive way for peace. Furthermore, I’ll do my utmost to try that peace education and the culture of peace activities will apply throughout Myanmar by signing MOU between HWPL and schools which were carried out the IPYG’s peace education curriculum.
The aim of IPYG’s vision is that youths should become a main part of peace to prevent any conflicts from occurring and to attain peace in the long run. Now, Let us begin with IPYG! WE ARE ONE!
It’s more touching to see it in person. People from all walks of life are trying to bring the DPCW to the United Nations. Everyone is filled with a desire to achieve peace. Because no matter how much money they given, it is hard to do work of peace. But it is more hard to do without any money. But they are doing passionately.
Speech of IPYG Director
“We are here to commemorate the work of peace as we have witnessed from the video clip together with these family members. At this moment I’d like to share the compliments of HWPL’s activities for the past year and their significance.
Firstly with regard to international law, global support to implement the DPCW as a legally binding international document has expanded greatly in March 14, May 25th in 2019. In two occasions we send peace letters that explain the necessity of the DPCW and the wish of the citizens around the world is not just echoing in the empty space but bringing active supports from lots of states. 7 current presidents including the United States, Sri Lanka, Kiribati, North Macedonia, etc, have responded to that letter. In addition those response letters keep coming.
Through 30th world peace tour, we have received support from organizations composed of of former heads of state and Caribbeans such as CCLP and signed MoU with HWPL to express supports from the countries in that region. Following the support from Eastern Europe and Africa in 2018, support for HWPL has expanded to Oceania and the Americas in 2019, establishing support foundation in all the continents of the world.
Dear participants as you have seen from the the survey result, the world is recognizing the voices of the citizens have greatest power to change their countries stronger than any other methods. In addition, world citizens are also gathering their voices for HWPL and DPCW. If we become one as a one voice, there is nothing that we should be afraid of. For a next one year, please participate in those peace projects so that we can achieve peace initiatives together. If we become one, we can definitely achieve this! We Are One!”
Do you have any questions about why DPCW is the answer to peace? This time, it was newly added because Eastern and Western cultures harmonize. There are three reasons for this, and the DPCW itself has the answer. 🙂
On 18th of September, “2019 World Peace Summit: 5th Anniversary of the WARP Summit” is held under subtitle, “Legislate Peace” – Implementation of the DPCW for Sustainable Development. It will be held on today in Korea, and “Legislate Peace” projects have already been under way around the world. There were 193 events in 164 locations in 112 countries. (136 countries participating)
You’ve already seen a lot of my old posts, haven’t you? So I brought some today, too! There are so many great pictures. But before that, I want to see the picture of my friend who is on the scene today. 🙂 I love you.
You can see this live and see it again after the event. But the best thing to do is to watch the live broadcast together! So I have a delicious lunch with my friend, and I am ready to sit in a cafe and watch it together on my laptop.
I ate lunch and watched the opera house scenery a little. 🙂 Now, let’s take a look at it through a friend who is at the peace festival in Korea.
Even though my friend left early in the morning, a huge number of people had a rehearsal. There are the staff preparing for the parade and young people for the card performance. When I think about how many people have tried to make a festival like this, nothing is easy and I feel grateful.
Before seeing the event in person, let’s listen to the voices of the participants.
“Legislate Peace” Project Quotes #4
Prof. Oleksandr Zadorozhnii¸ Former President of Ukrainian Association of International Law
“It is very technical, modern, and well written enough to be implemented. The core contents of the declaration are good. I have helped its translation because the contents were all good. But the main problem now is to make this into a legally binding document. On a legal aspect, there is nothing I should add or modify to the current contents of the declaration as they are good enough. But a problem would be how to implement the contents of the declaration. Perhaps Articles 9 and 10 are not based on their legal implement, but this would be concerned with volunteers, youth and women organizations instead. I totally agree with the contents and the structure of the declaration and have no other suggestion. The purpose and essence of the declaration perfectly goes along with the foreign policies of Ukraine. I support all the activities of HWPL and the DPCW because this is very important.”
Herculano Amaral/International Rotary Club of Dili Lafaek,Director/Timor-Leste
“Looking at these stories, Timorese people have been suffering a lot. A range of crimes and violence have been experienced which including massacres, tortures, kidnapping, rape and so on and so forth. You could have imagined how hard it was living in their own country and going through these situations. This kind of situation have brought many children lost their parents and many people had lost their beloved ones. However, the reconciliation was the weapon and is the weapon of living as a great neighbour in the world. (Can you please give a round applause?) The reconciliation was the weapon for us to live as a great neighbour in the world. Today, we are very proud living in an independent country yet many things that our leaders are still working on, so that our people can live in prosperous and live in harmony and peaceful lives. However, to achieve this, it’s not that easy as many people have been facing physiologically trauma and stressful and so on and so forth. IPYG Timor-Leste is also working hand by hand with the IWPG Timor-Leste to plan more peace activities such as Peace through Sports, Clean up for Peace, Peace for Concert, Planting Trees and many more things. Moreover, we hope to include more young people so that we can create more spaces for spreading the culture of peace. However, to achieve this, it should be done by cultivating a culture of respecting each other and mutual trust within people to people and states to states levels.”
Monk Phramaha Monchai Saitanaporn, from Wat Phra Dhammakaya Berlin
“All religions speak of peace, but unfortunately religion has become one the causes for the greatest conflicts in human history. DPCW deals with these issues of religion which may be sensitive and includes specific provisions to resolve religious conflicts. Article 8 of the DPCW contains provisions to deal with these things. Like so, the DPCW contains the necessarily legal provisions to cut off religious conflicts, protect the freedom of religion, and encourage inter-religious dialogues. DPCW Article 9 states that if such disputes are prevented but are not resolved and continue to be caused by religion, then strong legal actions will be taken against them. That is why I strongly believe that the DPCW is the method to achieve peace.”
Opening Address of the Mr. Man Hee Lee
“Good afternoon, peace family. I sincerely welcome your attendance. I’m Mr. Man Hee Lee, the chairman of HWPL.
We are not the only ones here at this celebration, but also the spirits of heaven. As soon as I see your bright side, I can see the day of the WARP Summit 2014 five years ago.
On that day, in order to end the war in the global village and to make peace an eternal legacy in the future, politicians pledged to urge them to enact international laws for peace, and religious people to unite in God, in front of God, before the people of the world. All the heaven and earth heard this pledge. So, we are keeping the promise well.
At this time, we are having this 5th anniversary event all over our country and all over the world at the same time. Look at that monitor over there a lot. You’re going to see it. We are all messengers of peace. Today’s event, this is going to shine eternally in the history of the global village. Let’s achieve our promised goal. We Are One! I love you. Thank you.”
Speech of the IPYG Director
“The answer of peace, DPCW, has been widely supported around the world since its announcement in 2016, and as you’ll see in detail in its progress report, has expanded its support from all walks of life for a year. In particular, IPYG youth around the world have played a major role in promoting DPCW and in transforming DPCW into a peaceful culture. We received answers to the letter of peace from each country, and Australia, East Timor, and South Sudan held a soccer tournament of peace to inform young people about the need for peace. In Thailand, more than 2,000 students held a singing contest to spread the culture of peace, and in Korea, more than 10,000 young people participated in a campaign for peaceful unification to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Ladies and gentlemen, the answer of peace and the support of the citizens of the world is amazing, but there’s something even more amazing. It’s not the president of any country, the head of the United Nations, but the chairman of the HWPL that is making the answer of peace. Why is it that the whole world speaks out for DPCW voluntarily, even though it’s not something that someone has forced you to do, and it’s not something that you have to do? Thanks to Mr. Man Hee Lee’s leadership in practice.
In 2014, he promised to establish international law and create peace between religions, and he actually traveled around the world more than 30 times. He also visited and gathered experts in international law to help enact international laws, met heads of state and leaders, and expressed the need for DPCW, met religious leaders from each country in person, and encouraged them to participate in the WARP Office.
And he created the MOU and implementation of peace education with the heads of the National Education Ministry, the elementary, middle and high schools and universities. With the leadership of running and working nonstop, the result was possible. And we can also be confident that we will be able to achieve our future.
All of this is possible if we all become one. Don’t forget. We are one.”
Speech of the IWPG Director
“Our peace families, who are paying attention to this place. To end the global war and create a world of peace, let’s urge us to know the value of this peace declaration first, to let my neighbors know the value of this peace declaration, know the nation and the president, join and sign in support.
I’d like to ask all the women in each country. And I’d like to ask you guys and male politicians. Please encourage your loved ones and your wives and children to join the eternal peace process. So that we can do the work of peace with people who can do absolutely pure service to the human world, regardless of power or interest. There’s nothing more valuable than this. It’s a pure volunteer that makes a good world and gives it to future generations as a legacy.
It’s time to end the war, and peace is done when war and sin and pain are lost in the world. It is also peace that heaven wants to give us so much. Therefore, let us use ourselves as a tool for peace and make new changes in the world. This is not someone else’s business. You should never assume that you’re doing someone else’s work. I will do my job and fulfill my mission from heaven. That’s why I’m asking all of you here to work with all your heart.
It’s time to fulfill our mission with our Chairman Man Hee Lee. And it’s time for peace to rule the world. Let’s work together to share each other’s burden for the future and safety of mankind so that we don’t break the line of life of peace. Let’s add the wisdom I’ve accumulated and use the expertise I’ve worked for to make sure that peace is complete in this age of life. If your zeal, Man Hee Lee’s wisdom, and the explosive power of 3.7 billion women and youth become ONE, war will surely disappear in this world. Let’s all become messengers of peace together and achieve our goal before our eyes. Thank you.”
IPYG Card Section Performance
It is the result of 6,000 young people’s effort without any cost. Actually, it’s even more wonderful to see in person. The history of the Korean Peninsula can be seen at a glance from the founding of the country. It also gives an answer to how peace can be achieved.
At the same time in the Big Cities of Korea
Their enthusiasm is really hot. It seems that peace will be achieved right now. Then there was speeches of leaders after that, special performances of Korean traditional music and taekwondo, and a media facade as the final finale.
Speech of Giani Harpreet Singh Ji Jathedar (Head) Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the highest temporal seat of the Sikh Faith
“Greetings. I am the representative of all the Sikhs and at presently serving Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the highest temporal seat of the Sikh Faith. I, on behalf of all the Sikhs of the world, give my good wishes to HWPL for attainment of their noble objectives for DPCW to be submitted to the UN General Assembly as a draft resolution and to become a legally binding instrument. It will finally bring the true meaning of Peace in the world.
I, as the representative of all the Sikhs and at presently serving Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the highest temporal seat of the Sikh Faith, assure the esteemed assembly of highly revered ambassadors of all the great Religious Faiths that the Sikhs have always stood and will stand for world peace, mutual respect of religious faiths and empowerment of women and youth in our society so that we co-exist in a peaceful world and leave a better place for our coming generation.”
Media Facade Finale
How beautiful it can be. It was so cool. I don’t know how many months it will take to make this. That visual quality was the level of movie.
Now I’m going to go home. It would be even more touching and proud to see it in person. We have live broadcasts for each session tomorrow, so let’s take a good rest for tomorrow.
What’s happening in 200 cities in 110 countries? It is a Peace Festival!! Beginning on August 27th, Washington D.C., New York, Los Angeles, Paris, France, Mindanao, Philippines, Suva, Fiji, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Cape Town, South Africa, and more, hold “2019 World Peace Summit” to support the DPCW for sustainable development. There are so many people who want peace. They are confident in the DPCW, a new international law aligned with SDGs and UN Charter and are about to achieve peace with their voices.
Today we looked at five cities. Finally, I want to introduce you a boy, born in South Sudan, a country suffering from a sustained civil war.
This young boy is Immanuel Lovizo Justin. When he saw 150 people die horribly before his eyes in a civil war in 2016, he decided to start the work of peace. He already knew his life could be threatened.
He started to encourage people to realize the DPCW, which is a new international law called the “answer to peace” and is supported by former/incumbent Presidents, and he collected 5,000 signatures of support for DPCW by himself. He also held a peace concert and was reported in the local newspaper.
The peace-loving young boy is now in a hurry to collect 10,000 peace letters for the Presidents and has already collected more than 1,000. What value did this South Sudanese boy see in the DPCW? Why is he risking his life in the battlefield to call for the DPCW?
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.
On 17th of July 2019, Jayathma Wickramanayake, the UN’s Youth Envoy, visited the Security Council on Wednesday with a simple message “young people care about peace.” She said especially young women can be labelled on a “small minority” easily. These stereotypes and myths skew young people’s full potential for peace. The fact is that most young people are in fact not involved in violence.
“In the past months I have noticed with grave concern, incidents of young peacebuilders and young human rights defenders being subjected to threats, intimidation, violence, arbitrary arrest and retaliation by State and non-State Actors.” She emphasized the need to protect these young peacebuilders.
She reminded the Council that the Youth, Peace and Security agenda is being recognized and institutionalized within the UN as “core” to the Organization’s priorities for young people. So, the UN Youth Strategy, Youth 2030, will promote an environment that recognizes young people’s important and positive contributions to peace and security, while creating safe spaces and expanding opportunities for young people.
I totally agree with her. Young people have enormous potential. Protect them and help them grow tremendously. There’s something she and the young men of the United Nations are pushing now, and I think it’s so good that I’d like to introduce it. #Youth4Peace #Youth2030
We Are Here, We Are One
At the First International Symposium on Youth Participation in Peace Processes, which was held last March in Finland, the youth envoy officially launched the policy paper “WE ARE HERE: An Integrated Approach to Youth-Inclusive Peace Processes.”(Here)
António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, said “It analyses how young people can influence such efforts using diverse and innovative approaches. Around the world, young women and men are striving for justice, inclusion, gender equality and human rights. We must make the most of their power as drivers of a culture of peace.”
Ms. Wickramanayake said “I hope this is the beginning of a process… for concrete actions to bring peace. Sustainable peace must be democratized to include the communities most affected. Young people are our best chance in succeeding at that.”
International Youth Peace Movement
In the last two decades, over 1,000 peace agreements have been signed globally. It is estimated that 408 million youth live in a state or province affected by armed conflict. The co-authors, Ali Altiok and Irena Grizelj, said “No comprehensive studies have assessed the role and impact of young people in these peace agreements. This paper takes the first step towards providing emerging evidence that youth inclusion in peace processes can yield positive results.”
All we need for ‘We Are Here’ is ‘We Are One’
I’m reading this paper. Looking at it, I feel confident that peace can be achieved. How? Only, it would be necessary for all of us to work together as one. All we need for ‘We Are Here’ is ‘We Are One’. I also remember International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), a youth peace organization that is emerging most recently. It is a subsidiary organization of HWPL, international peace NGO affiliated with the UN ECOSOC and the UN DGC.
IPYG shouts “We Are One!!!”
IPYG, which represents 1.8 billion young people, is affiliated with 805 organizations of 110 countries. The number of total members is 4,600,000. In IPYG Peace Letter Campaign, youth of 23 countries have participated and the handwritten peace letters have been delivered to 9 former/current presidents and prime ministers in 8 countries.
On 14th of March 2019, all youth of the world had sent to their respective President or Prime Minister in 192countries with the expectation of a response from these heads of state. On 25th of May 2019, the “6th IPYG Peace Walk” was held in around 126 locations in 77 countries around the world, including Australia, China, Germany, India, Russia, South Africa, the Philippines, and United States of America. (What is Peace Walk?) There is enthusiastic support from young people all over the world, and this huge flow is unstoppable.
These young people are now doing all they can to get the DPCW, the best international law to put an end to the war, to the U.N. (What is DPCW?) Like UN Youth Envoy, the world is full of young people of passion for peace. Their potential can never be ignored. If all the peace groups of each country come together, and all of them shout in one voice, which country can start a war? No one will suffer any more.
On 11st of July, more than 25 Caribbean ambassadors and heads of states, including former Prime Minister of Belize the Honorable Mr. Said Musa, gathered in Washington D.C. Why did they gather? These incredibly famous people don’t move for no reason. They want to support the implementation of international peace legislation, the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW). Where? “Within their each countries.”
DPCW has global support, especially for young people and women. There were well over a million supporters and the DPCW has already been enacted as a National Declaration in several countries around the world, including Antigua and Barbuda.
Mr. Said Musa, Prime Minister of Belize, said “I want to pledge my support for adoption of the DPCW which I find to be the most comprehensive legal framework that will serve to spread a zone of peace within the Caribbean region and across the world.” Caribbean Peace Movement is growing so rapidly.
Among the event, delegates committed to advance the passing of the DPCW through theCARICOM and the Coalition of Caribbean Leaders for Peace (CCLP). The CARICOM is an organisation of fifteen Caribbean nations and dependencies having primary objectives to promote economic integration and cooperation among its members. It is home to approximately sixteen million citizens, 60% of whom are under the age of 30. Caribbean countries have tremendous potential.
Their Headquarter is on Georgetown, Guyana. Guyana’s CARICOM Youth Ambassador and Regional Director for the United Nations Caribbean Global Peace Initiative, Ms. Samantha Sheoprashad, also gave remarks. According to a report from the Borgen Project, roughly 43 percent of Guyana’s population lives below the poverty line, the youth unemployment rate is over 30 percent but the current estimates are closer to 40 percent.
Mr. Musa, a founding member of the CCLP, urged other Caribbean leaders to participate and serve as a “beacon to guide the important work of the [CCLP] to spread the message of peace not only in our region but globally as well.” After all, they know it’s the DPCW that can solve all of this. This is the answer to peace. It is currently being presented to pass as law through the United Nations. Let’s have one voice! We Are One!