[HWPL]
[HWPL] HWPL's Peace Education Event in South Africa
Chairman ManHee Lee is the head representative of the global peace organization HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light), which is striving for the enactment and implementation of the international peace law 'Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)'. The DPCW is a legal instrument comprised of 10 articles and 38 clauses that can end wars and hostilities throughout the world. HWPL is also spreading a culture of peace and implementing peace education.
Chairman ManHee Lee experienced the cruelty and tragedy of war as a veteran of the Korean War. This is one of the reasons why he founded a global peace campaign as the head of HWPL. He has traveled the globe more than 35 times to meet and persuade politicians, legal experts, journalists, professors, peace activists, civil organization leaders, heads of tribes and others to unite them for the work of peace. The significant fruits borne out of his hard work are the World Alliance of Religions' Peace (WARP) Summit and HWPL Peace Committee. The DPCW was drafted and finalised by the HWPL Peace Committee.
How, you may wonder, do I know this? About 10 years ago, when I had just been discharged from military service, I came to know HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee while researching the topic of civil conflicts to satisfy my curiosity in ongoing global issues. At that time, the island of Mindanao in the Philippines was suffering from a major civil conflict that lasted more than 40 years, and Chairman ManHee Lee and HWPL resolved this conflict through non-violent means.
Chairman Lee brought an end to the conflict in Mindanao by holding a peace talk between the warring Catholic and Islamic groups. Before the talk, HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee held a Peace Walk to spread the culture of peace in Mindanao with the many locals who had gathered out of a desire for peace.
Chairman ManHee Lee's pressing appeal today is that humanity unites for sustainable peace in order to pass on the legacy of peace to future generations worldwide. He doesn't just talk peace, but has worked tirelessly for it through practical peace campaigns for over a decade.
I decided to become a supporter of HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee's peace initiatives because I also desire a world of peace for all posterity.
Today I'd like to introduce an article regarding HWPL's Peace Education event in South Africa :)
The Cape Peninsula University of Technology convened its 2nd Annual Critical Conversation on August 22nd at the Bellville Campus, South Africa, bringing together students, academics, policymakers, and civil society to debate the role of education. The theme was “Beyond Liberation: Is Education a Liberator or an Oppressor in the Struggle for Peace, Gender Equity, and Economic Justice?”
The event coincided with International Youth Day, South Africa’s National Women’s Month, and World Humanitarian Day, adding timeliness and significance to the discussion. It was hosted by the CPUT Central Student Representative Council (CSRC) in collaboration with Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), an international peace organisation, alongside other partners.
Opening the session, Vice-Chancellor Professor Nhlapho gave encouraging words to the students gathered, stating, “Live a life of honesty, of honour and the world around you will thank you.” The CSRC followed by affirming students’ demand for an education system rooted in justice, inclusivity, and care.
Speakers highlighted diverse perspectives on education. HWPL’s Rachael Nyirongo stressed the importance of peace education, stating that, “This is the power of peace education, it changes individuals and changes communities. The question is what kind of society are we building for education to flourish in?”
In a keynote address, Deputy Minister in The Presidency Hon. Nonceba Mhlauli urged a reimagining of education beyond employability. “Education can be a catalyst for transformation in our households and in our communities as well,” she declared, calling for systems that disrupt cycles of violence and exclusion while prioritizing dignity, care, and community.HWPL played a central role in the collaboration, bringing its international expertise in peace education and grassroots advocacy. The organisation leads the Legislate Peace Campaign, which promotes the adoption of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) - a proposed international legal framework aimed at ending conflict, disarmament, cessation of hostilities, and the protection of religious and ethnic rights.Through initiatives like peace education programmes and intergenerational dialogues, HWPL works to cultivate youth leadership and foster sustainable, people-centred peace. Its involvement in the Critical Conversation underscored the importance of linking local educational debates with the global movement for justice and peace.
The day’s highlight was a panel discussion titled “Not Yet Uhuru: Decolonizing Education Through Student Activism and Collective Action.” Panelists included Dr. Melanie Swanson (Student Affairs Coordinator in HIV/AIDS), who presented on “Empowering the Forgotten: Rethinking Education to Uplift Women, Youth, and Vulnerable Communities” and Mr. Chumile Samson (South African Youth Council), who spoke on “Youth at the Forefront: Redefining Leadership for Humanitarian and Social Justice.”Dr. Swanson emphasised the critical role of communication, highlighting its impact across different spheres of student life. She spoke about the importance of personal brand management on social media to enhance employability, and the need to prevent the spread of harmful narratives, likening it to “releasing feathers at the top of a mountain - once scattered, they are nearly impossible to retrieve.” She issued a passionate call to students, declaring “we can do it,” and challenged them to be pioneers not only as future employees but also as business leaders and responsible drivers of societal progress.
Mr. Samson shared a structured framework outlining pillars for a thriving education system, including Capability and Mobility as key drivers. Following challenging questions and remarks from the audience, he expanded on these points, offering practical insights on issues raised during the discussion. He emphasised the importance of strengthening student-led organizations and went further to suggest that institutions and organizations reassess their financial models - even restructuring income sources if necessary - to better support and sustain student-driven initiatives.
As the host institution, CPUT reaffirmed its commitment to being a site of transformation and inclusive dialogue. The university has positioned itself as a platform where students and partners from diverse backgrounds can critically examine pressing social issues while building pathways toward peace, justice, and equality.
Through initiatives like the Critical Conversation series, CPUT continues to play a leadership role in fostering debates that link academia to activism and policy change.
In closing remarks, CSRC representative Aphiwe thanked all participants for joining the event and reminded participants that peace, gender equity, and economic justice are lived experiences, not abstract ideals. The MC shared, “It’s clear that this event has highlighted that the education system has a lot of potential but also still has a lot of problems to overcome.”
The 2nd Critical Conversation concluded with a shared commitment to take insights beyond the campus and into broader partnerships, policymaking, and educational culture, with the aim of advancing justice and unlocking the leadership potential of South Africa’s youth.
Chairman ManHee Lee is the head representative of the global peace organization HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light), which is striving for the enactment and implementation of the international peace law 'Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)'. The DPCW is a legal instrument comprised of 10 articles and 38 clauses that can end wars and hostilities throughout the world. HWPL is also spreading a culture of peace and implementing peace education.
Chairman ManHee Lee experienced the cruelty and tragedy of war as a veteran of the Korean War. This is one of the reasons why he founded a global peace campaign as the head of HWPL. He has traveled the globe more than 35 times to meet and persuade politicians, legal experts, journalists, professors, peace activists, civil organization leaders, heads of tribes and others to unite them for the work of peace. The significant fruits borne out of his hard work are the World Alliance of Religions' Peace (WARP) Summit and HWPL Peace Committee. The DPCW was drafted and finalised by the HWPL Peace Committee.
How, you may wonder, do I know this? About 10 years ago, when I had just been discharged from military service, I came to know HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee while researching the topic of civil conflicts to satisfy my curiosity in ongoing global issues. At that time, the island of Mindanao in the Philippines was suffering from a major civil conflict that lasted more than 40 years, and Chairman ManHee Lee and HWPL resolved this conflict through non-violent means.
Chairman Lee brought an end to the conflict in Mindanao by holding a peace talk between the warring Catholic and Islamic groups. Before the talk, HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee held a Peace Walk to spread the culture of peace in Mindanao with the many locals who had gathered out of a desire for peace.
Chairman ManHee Lee's pressing appeal today is that humanity unites for sustainable peace in order to pass on the legacy of peace to future generations worldwide. He doesn't just talk peace, but has worked tirelessly for it through practical peace campaigns for over a decade.
I decided to become a supporter of HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee's peace initiatives because I also desire a world of peace for all posterity.
Today I'd like to introduce an article regarding HWPL's Peace Education event in South Africa :)
The Cape Peninsula University of Technology convened its 2nd Annual Critical Conversation on August 22nd at the Bellville Campus, South Africa, bringing together students, academics, policymakers, and civil society to debate the role of education. The theme was “Beyond Liberation: Is Education a Liberator or an Oppressor in the Struggle for Peace, Gender Equity, and Economic Justice?”
The event coincided with International Youth Day, South Africa’s National Women’s Month, and World Humanitarian Day, adding timeliness and significance to the discussion. It was hosted by the CPUT Central Student Representative Council (CSRC) in collaboration with Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), an international peace organisation, alongside other partners.
Opening the session, Vice-Chancellor Professor Nhlapho gave encouraging words to the students gathered, stating, “Live a life of honesty, of honour and the world around you will thank you.” The CSRC followed by affirming students’ demand for an education system rooted in justice, inclusivity, and care.
Speakers highlighted diverse perspectives on education. HWPL’s Rachael Nyirongo stressed the importance of peace education, stating that, “This is the power of peace education, it changes individuals and changes communities. The question is what kind of society are we building for education to flourish in?”
In a keynote address, Deputy Minister in The Presidency Hon. Nonceba Mhlauli urged a reimagining of education beyond employability. “Education can be a catalyst for transformation in our households and in our communities as well,” she declared, calling for systems that disrupt cycles of violence and exclusion while prioritizing dignity, care, and community.
HWPL played a central role in the collaboration, bringing its international expertise in peace education and grassroots advocacy. The organisation leads the Legislate Peace Campaign, which promotes the adoption of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) - a proposed international legal framework aimed at ending conflict, disarmament, cessation of hostilities, and the protection of religious and ethnic rights.
Through initiatives like peace education programmes and intergenerational dialogues, HWPL works to cultivate youth leadership and foster sustainable, people-centred peace. Its involvement in the Critical Conversation underscored the importance of linking local educational debates with the global movement for justice and peace.
The day’s highlight was a panel discussion titled “Not Yet Uhuru: Decolonizing Education Through Student Activism and Collective Action.” Panelists included Dr. Melanie Swanson (Student Affairs Coordinator in HIV/AIDS), who presented on “Empowering the Forgotten: Rethinking Education to Uplift Women, Youth, and Vulnerable Communities” and Mr. Chumile Samson (South African Youth Council), who spoke on “Youth at the Forefront: Redefining Leadership for Humanitarian and Social Justice.”
Dr. Swanson emphasised the critical role of communication, highlighting its impact across different spheres of student life. She spoke about the importance of personal brand management on social media to enhance employability, and the need to prevent the spread of harmful narratives, likening it to “releasing feathers at the top of a mountain - once scattered, they are nearly impossible to retrieve.” She issued a passionate call to students, declaring “we can do it,” and challenged them to be pioneers not only as future employees but also as business leaders and responsible drivers of societal progress.
Mr. Samson shared a structured framework outlining pillars for a thriving education system, including Capability and Mobility as key drivers. Following challenging questions and remarks from the audience, he expanded on these points, offering practical insights on issues raised during the discussion. He emphasised the importance of strengthening student-led organizations and went further to suggest that institutions and organizations reassess their financial models - even restructuring income sources if necessary - to better support and sustain student-driven initiatives.
As the host institution, CPUT reaffirmed its commitment to being a site of transformation and inclusive dialogue. The university has positioned itself as a platform where students and partners from diverse backgrounds can critically examine pressing social issues while building pathways toward peace, justice, and equality.
Through initiatives like the Critical Conversation series, CPUT continues to play a leadership role in fostering debates that link academia to activism and policy change.
In closing remarks, CSRC representative Aphiwe thanked all participants for joining the event and reminded participants that peace, gender equity, and economic justice are lived experiences, not abstract ideals. The MC shared, “It’s clear that this event has highlighted that the education system has a lot of potential but also still has a lot of problems to overcome.”
The 2nd Critical Conversation concluded with a shared commitment to take insights beyond the campus and into broader partnerships, policymaking, and educational culture, with the aim of advancing justice and unlocking the leadership potential of South Africa’s youth.
