[HWPL]

[HWPL] Proclamation of “HWPL Day” by Two Cities in Maryland, & Certificate of Recognition from the City of Artesia, USA

Chairman Man-hee Lee (left) and City of Artesia Mayor Miguel Canales deliver speeches at the HWPL Peace Event 'Advancing the Light of Peace' held at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (CCPA) in Los Angeles on November 7th 2015

Citizens in cities across the United States who came into contact with the peace movement of Man-hee Lee, Chairman of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), declared their support in succession. On December 6th 2014, Carson City, USA designated May 25th, which is the date when the Declaration of World Peace was first proclaimed, as 'HWPL Day' on May 25th 2015. The City of Artesia, Los Angeles County followed suit and delivered a Certificate of Recognition to HWPL Chairman Lee for his peace movement. In 2018, the cities of Hagerstown and College Park in Maryland declared May 25th 'HWPL Day’.

Certificate of Recognition delivered to HWPL by the City of Artesia, Los Angeles County, USA on May 25th 2015

On May 25th 2015, City of Artesia Mayor Miguel Canales delivered a Certificate of Recognition to HWPL Chairman Man-hee Lee for his sincere movement of peace.

Mayor Miguel Canales said, “On behalf of the people of Artesia, the City Council hereby recognizes Man Hee Lee, Chairman of Heavenly Culture, World Peace and Restoration of Light for his outstanding work toward the noble goal of world peace.”

Furthermore, with reference to the 17th peace tour that Chairman Lee and his peace delegation were having at that time, he said, “We have asked heads of state, religious leaders, youth, and non-profit organizations to support the campaign for religious unity and an unprecedented international law to cease wars. I hope that the representative's goal becomes the goal for us all.”

Mayor Miguel Canales met Chairman Lee during the 16th peace tour. Inspired by the peace activities carried out by HWPL, he delivered a Certificate of Recognition to Chairman Lee on May 25th 2015.

The HWPL Peace Event 'Advancing the Light of Peace' was held at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (CCPA), Los Angeles, on November 7th 2015, with Chairman Man-hee Lee, City of Artesia Mayor Miguel Canales, and dignitaries from local political and religious circles in attendance

Mayor Miguel Canales attended the HWPL Peace Event 'Advancing the Light of Peace' at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (CCPA), Los Angeles, on November 7th 2015 where, as presider, he said, “I want to thank HWPL. HWPL is a really important partner to the city. As Mayor, what I am certain of is that we will continue to work for peace and bring together neighboring mayors to join us on our journey to achieve peace in the community.”

In May 2018, the City of Hagerstown declared May 25th ‘HWPL Day’ yearly

On May 14th 2018, May 25th was declared 'HWPL Day' by the Mayor of Hagerstown, Maryland, USA. That same month, Patrick Wojahn, Mayor at City of College Park, Maryland, also declared May 25th 'HWPL Day' yearly.

The Proclamation by both cities, written almost identically, reads, "Citizens are committed to finding solutions and opportunities that will enable people from diverse backgrounds to pursue the next generation and achieve a world of peace.” The reasons why they support HWPL's peace movement was revealed in detail.

In connection with HWPL's peace movement, Hagerstown Mayor Bob Bruchey and College Park Mayor Patrick Wojahn, declared that HWPL ▲acts to promote peace activities in the fields of culture, art, education, public policy, and religion ▲promotes the values of love and tolerance for best living ▲focuses on the concept of 'heavenly culture', which plays a role in freeing mankind through Peace education (for all citizens, including students, working professionals, families and the elderly) ▲ participates in regional and national events and world peace movements in large and small ways, irrespective of nationality, language, or religion ▲ in commemoration of the Peace Walk Movement and the declaration of peace, a detailed commemorative ceremony should be held yearly on May 25th.

Both mayors then declared their cities' support for justice and harmony among diverse communities. Mayor Bob Bruchey said, “As mayor, with the support of the City Council, in favor of HWPL's ideals and methods that benefit all citizens, I hereby declare May 25th as 'HWPL Day' yearly in Hagerstown, Maryland.” Mayor Bruchey has been in public service in Maryland for over 15 years and is mayor of Hagerstown, Maryland. Mayor Wojahn said, “As Mayor of College Park, I declare my support for the ideals of peace education and the efforts to promote peace around the world for our generation and for posterity.”

In May 2018, College Park declared May 25th ‘HWPL Day’ yearly

Peace!

 [HWPL]

[HWPL] The National Council of Hindu Priests UK and SREI Foundation (India) Award 'Certificate of Honour' and 'Plaque of Appreciation' to Chairman Man-Hee Lee

Supporters of HWPL's peace movement often speak of their memorable experiences at various dinners and meetings held at the Peace Institute among people of all nationalities, races and creed of the global village gathering in one place for the common purpose of peace. Here, a dinner is being held with guests following the 3rd Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit in 2017

Man-hee Lee, Chairman of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), who has advocated for the unification of religions as well as the enactment of an international law for the cessation of wars, has left a notable impression on people of faith all over the world.

His peace efforts were met with considerable response among religious figures who attended the WARP Summit from September 16th-19th 2014 in Korea. To implement his desire for religions to be united for peace, Chairman Lee proposed a peace agreement for the unification of religions, which the religious leaders in attendance signed unanimously.

12 representatives from 11 religions including Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam (Shia, Sunni), Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, Candomblé faith, Jainism, and the Baháʼí Faith, plus two Anglicans, attended the event. In particular, the Hindu priests expressed their active support for Chairman Lee's ideology.

A 'Certificate of Honour' awarded to Chairman Lee by The National Council of Hindu Priests UK (NCHP UK) on September 16th 2014

At an international conference held on September 16th, The National Council of Hindu Priests UK (NCHP UK) awarded a 'Certificate of Honour' to Chairman Man-Hee Lee.

Within the Certificate of Honour signed in the name of the president, general secretary, and patron, the NCHP UK praised Chairman Man-hee Lee's peaceful actions that transcend religion, ideology, race, and borders. The Certificate reads, “In recognition of his outstanding contribution made to promote Peace and harmony in the world by encouraging people irrespective of their culture, religion or ethnicity. His leadership has inspired the people in the world to work for common humanity and given hope to peruse the path of achieving unity.”

The NCHP UK President Acharya Dharm Dutt Vasistha, Vice President Pt. Sunil Agnihotri, and Secretary General Krishan Kant Attri attended the 1st WARP Summit.

The NCHP UK secretary-general Krishan Kant Attri, who attended the 1st WARP Summit in Korea on September 16th 2014, holds the certificate after being awarded to Chairman Lee

After attending the event, the representatives returned to their respective countries, publishing photos they had taken at the WARP Summit onto the official NCHP UK website and informing members of their collaborative peace efforts with HWPL. Since then, the heads of The NCHP UK have continued to work together with HWPL. Secretary-General Attri has been particularly active having attended the 31st Peace Tour to Romania in 2019.

Founded on April 28th 2005, the organization works to promote the Hindu religion, provide advanced education for Hindus and improve interfaith relations. It also strives to provide an educative platform for youth. The NCHP UK seeks to build a database of resources such as local temples and priests, provide a listing of festivals and events, provide a forum for discussing religious and spiritual issues, promote and conduct research, and provide advice and support. On July 28th 2014, The NCHP UK hosted an event at The House of Lords for the British Hindu community. Priests of the NCHP UK also received certificates from the British Parliament, in recognition of their selfless service to the community.

Representatives of The National Council of Hindu Priests UK (NCHP UK) at the 1st WARP Summit in September 2014 in Korea. Similar photos were published on their website, with news of their experiences shared with members

During the 23rd Peace Tour of Chairman Man-hee Lee and his peace delegation, an awards ceremony was held where a plaque of appreciation was awarded to Chairman Lee from a private foundation in India as a token of gratitude for his peace activities.

In December 2015, Chairman Man-hee Lee and his peace delegation embarked on their 23rd Peace Tour where, upon the invitation of Dr. Hari Prasad Kanoria, Chairman of SREI Foundation and HWPL Advisory Committee member, Chairman Lee attended the '7th World Confluence of Humanity, Power and Spirituality' as a keynote speaker at Le Meridien Hotel in New Delhi, India on the 22nd. Chairman Lee said to the attendees, “Peace is something we can do; it's not done because we don't do it”. He emphasized that, if desired, the disputes in the regions around India can also be resolved. He also sounded the significance of HWPL’s peace activities.

An appreciation plaque delivered to Chairman Lee by the SREI Foundation (India) on December 22nd 2015

Dr. Kanoria expressed his gratitude towards Chairman Lee's movements for world peace and delivered an appreciation plaque at the meeting. With reference to Chairman Lee's peace movement, the heart of the SREI Foundation's plaque of appreciation, which is entitled 'Recognition for Service to Humanity', reads as follows: "To live and let live in peace, harmony, love following the path of righteousness protecting Mother Earth. Faith in own religion while respecting other religions. Awakening the inner power & ignite human power.” Dr. Kanoria also spoke about HWPL's peace movement, saying, "HWPL has worked with a vision towards a healthy world and happiness, peace, harmony, and prosperity for mankind."

Dr. Kanoria, who attended the 1st and 2nd WARP Summit in September 2014 and September 2015, was moved by Chairman Lee's peace activities and actively cooperated with the peace delegation on the Peace Tour. Earlier, during HWPL's 16th Peace Tour in December 2014, he had also arranged a meeting with Chairman Lee and Abdul Kalam, the 11th President of India.

On December 22nd 2015, Dr. Kanoria, Chairman of the SREI Foundation, India, takes a commemorative photo after awarding a plaque of appreciation to Chairman Lee

Dr. Kanoria is a former Judge of the High Court of Calcutta and a Hindu. Nevertheless, he has a deep knowledge of other religions and an open view toward neighboring religions, and continues to participate in HWPL's WARP (World Alliance of Religions' Peace) projects to this day. To date, he has participated 23 times at the WARP Office Scripture Dialogues in Calcutta. On June 25th 2016, he held a WARP Summit with HWPL in Mumbai, India.

The SREI Foundation was established in 2009 and is in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (UN ECOSOC). It provides higher education for underprivileged children in the slums of Calcutta, India through Suryodaya High School, a social initiative of the SREI Foundation, and improves the welfare of survivors of hydrochloric acid terror attacks through the Hydrochloric Acid Terrorism Survivors & Women's Welfare Foundation. A further initiative of the SREI Foundation named Srihari Global IISD Foundation conducts educational projects. Foundations and religious figures gather around the world to share their views on humanity, power, and spirituality, and to form a consensus.

Dr. Kanoria (right), Chairman of the SREI Foundation, takes a commemorative photo after a meeting with the 11th President of India Abdul Kalam (center) and Man-hee Lee during the 16th peace tour in December 2014.

 [HWPL]

[HWPL] Mahatma M.K. Gandhi Foundation for Nonviolent Peace Awards 'Mahatma Gandhi Prize for Nonviolent Peace’

(Above) Participants sign a peace agreement and take a commemorative photo prior to the Mahatma M.K. Gandhi Foundation for Nonviolent Peace awards ceremony held at the auditorium of the HWPL Peace Institute in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi province on July 19th 2016. (Bottom, left-right) HWPL Peace Institute, Mahatma M.K. Gandhi Foundation for Nonviolent Peace Medal, Plaque and Award

Man-hee Lee, Chairman of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), was awarded the Mahatma Gandhi Prize for Nonviolent Peace on July 19th 2016 in recognition of his contribution to world peace. The awards ceremony was held at the HWPL Peace Institute in Gapyeong with representatives of Mahatma M.K. Gandhi Foundation for Nonviolent Peace in India, including its chairman Dr. Prasanna Kumar Patasani (Parliament member of the House of the People, India).

The core text of the Foundation Peace prize plaque reads, “In recognition of the altruistic efforts of Chairman Lee to create a society that is spiritually beautiful, materially rich and rewarding for humanity.” Chairman Lee was recognized for his significant contribution to the reconstruction of human society and world peace by spreading the noble spirits of “Non-Violence, Universal Brotherhood, Service, and Unity of all Religions and Excellence in the field of all related peace work.”

At the awards ceremony, Dr. Patasani said, "Chairman Man-hee Lee contributed to the end of the bloody 40-year conflict in Mindanao, Philippines, as well as contributing to the peace of mankind by enacting an international law to cease wars and presenting the groundbreaking concept of   religious unity." He continued, “Chairman Man-hee Lee is a truly peace-loving individual who has accomplished so much for world peace.”

Among the Gandhi Peace Prizes, there is the International ‘Gandhi Peace Prize’ awarded by the Government of India and the ‘Indira Gandhi Peace Prize’ awarded by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust. In addition, many organizations have established and awarded their own peace prizes named after Gandhi in an effort to promote international peace.

The 27-year Mahatma Gandhi Prize for Nonviolent Peace is officially registered as an international award on the Encyclopedia of Violence, Peace and Conflict. The Mahatma M.K. Gandhi Foundation for Nonviolent Peace was established in 1989 by Dr. Mohapatra, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of India, and is headquartered in Oslo, Norway. When the foundation was established, two former presidents of India, Giani Zail Singh and Sri R Venkataraman, participated as advisors.

This award is given to those who conform to Gandhi's philosophy and ideology of peace. It is awarded to peace activists, peace researchers, and world leaders who have contributed to the restoration of democracy and social or interreligious harmony, or to those who have further developed peace by continuously spreading peace.

Renowned laureates include Nelson Mandela (Former President of South Africa), Jimmy Carter (Former President of the United States), Mikhail Gorbachev (Former President of the Soviet Union), Margaret Thatcher (Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom), Shankar Dayal Sharma (Former President of India) and others awarded for their contribution to the peace of humanity. Most are country leaders, and they are significant figures who have left a mark of peace in human history. Recipients are selected through a rigorous process.

It was a splendid achievement for a Korean to receive the Mahatma Gandhi Prize for Nonviolent Peace 18 years after the late Dr. Young-sik Joh. The fact that the representative of a private peace NGO in Korea has won this international peace prize, alongside such figureheads, will go down in history for having raised the status of the Republic of Korea as a nation beyond one's individual honor.

Chairman Patasani, who delivered the award in person, expressed its value saying, “The fact that a Korean won the Mahatma Gandhi Prize for Nonviolent Peace proves that Korea is a peace-loving country.”

From the 12th to the 16th Lok Sabha, Dr. Patasani served as the Speaker of the House of the People in India on five occasions. He served as Minister of Public Complaints and Pensions Administration from 1990 to 1995. Besides serving in a major political capacity, he has gained public trust by serving in numerous fields including education, culture, and foreign policy.

A commemorative photo is taken with Chairman Man-hee Lee after he was awarded the Mahatma Gandhi Prize for Nonviolent Peace at an awards ceremony held in the HWPL Peace Institute auditorium in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi province on July 19th 2016. Notable recipients of this award include Mikhail Gorbachev (Former President of the Soviet Union), among others

Alongside Chairman Lee, Dr. Alexander Kim, a fourth-generation of Goryeo-in (Korean diaspora in Eastern Europe) and Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Sakha, Republic of the Russian Federation, also received the Mahatma Gandhi Prize for Nonviolent Peace. On the same day, Chairman Man-hee Lee was also given the 'peace achievement award' by the Constitutional Court of Sakha, Republic of the Russian Federation.

Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), led by Chairman Man-hee Lee, is a non-governmental organization (NGO) under the United Nations Department of Public Information (UNDPI), which has opened a new horizon in the global peace movement with the slogan, ‘Let’s leave a world of peace without war as a legacy to future generations.’ As a solution for peace, Chairman Lee signed on the 'Agreement to Propose for the Enactment of International Law for the Cessation of Wars' and the 'World Alliance of Religions Agreement,' and has completed 31 peace tours since 2012 where he visited former and current presidents, political, religious, female and youth leaders, and journalists. Numerous peace agreements were signed in the process.

On January 24th 2014, a civilian peace agreement was reached to resolve the 40-year conflict in Mindanao, The Philippines, which was considered one of the largest conflict zones in Asia. In September of the same year, the 1st World Peace Summit was hosted with the participation of people from 170 countries. In line with the promise made at the World Peace Summit, Chairman Lee and a group of international law scholars drafted the 'Declaration of Peace and the Cessation of War (DPCW, 10 Articles and 38 Clauses)' and published it on March 14th 2016.

In this way, Chairman Lee set a precedent through his passionate and sincere efforts for global peace without governmental support. However, what is regrettable is the slanderous behavior of the Korean church and the Christian media with its skewed perspective resulting from religious bias.

Regarding the Mahatma Gandhi Prize for Nonviolent Peace, which Chairman Lee was awarded, CBS (Christian Broadcasting System) was deplorable in its biased slandering of the Foundation without confirming the facts. CBS said, "The true intent of the organization that gave the award is unclear. It cannot be held to the same degree of authority as the awards given to former US President Jimmy Carter and former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev."

There is no doubt that these presidents received this award in the past, and this can be confirmed by the letters the Foundation sent to the presidents after receiving the award. It is difficult to confirm this on the Internet because the Foundation has not established a website, but CBS and the like could have confirmed this if they had inquired directly with the Foundation. An official from the Foundation explained that the website was intentionally not created for the purpose of fairness in selecting the recipients of the awards.

Following the CBS report, Dr. Jyoti Mohapatra, Secretary-General of the Foundation, sent a letter of protest to the chairman and editor-in-chief of CBS, expressing displeasure at their attitude denigrating the Peace Prize worthless, pointing out that it was an "irresponsible press attitude." Following CBS' intent to denigrate not only HWPL, but also global figures who share the group's common purpose, HWPL in response strongly condemned CBS, saying, “What prevents the peace movement from happening is that they desire war.”

Peace!

 [HWPL]

[HWPL] ‘Peace Appreciation Plaque’ and Appointment as Honorary Principal awarded to Chairman Lee by ‘Mar Elias Educational Institutions (MEEI)' in Israel

A peace appreciation plaque presented by Elias Chacour, Founder of the Mar Elias Educational Institutions (MEEI), to Chairman Man-Hee Lee

The message of peace proclaimed to the global village by Man-hee Lee, Chairman of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), has manifested into solid educational material for posterity. On December 2nd 2015, the fruits of Chairman Lee's peace movement turned eyes and ears within the educational system in Israel. Mar Elias Educational Institutions (MEEI, Principal Father Elias Chacour), which is one of the top five schools in Israel, was designated as the 'First HWPL Peace Academy', and Chairman Lee was appointed honorary principal. Fr. Elias delivered a plaque of appreciation to the chairman who visited his school on that day.

This was done to acknowledge Chairman Lee's tireless work for world peace and the fight against war. In addition, the  school decided to conduct peace education using HWPL peace material for about 3,000 students once or twice per semester.

The 1st HWPL Peace School designation ceremony held at Mar Elias School in Ibilin, northern Israel, on December 2nd 2015

“A prophet and messenger of peace has come from a distant land - not the Middle East, but the East beyond the Mediterranean Sea. We have become one with this messenger of peace who has come in the name of the Lord. With my own eyes, I have witnessed this representative cry out for a world of peace that is established on inclusivity and justice. Chairman Lee received the heavenly duty of attainig peace for humanity. Chairman Lee's visit is a real blessing for us.”

Principal Elias explained about the school's guest representative to students. He said, “HWPL’s acts of peace are establishing the way forward for people around the world. I hope that through HWPL’s peace education, the students of Mar Elias School will become messengers of peace, like Chairman Lee, and become a leading example to the world’s youth.”

Chairman Lee told students that day, “If people who have received the grace of heaven cause conflict and war, this cannot be the will of the Creator God. We are all children of one God, so it would be right to love our neighbors as ourselves. ” He also said, “That these young people, born in the same world as you and I, have been cut down before their lives had a chance to bloom, is unfair. Neither politics nor legislation is able to offer compensation to those youth who have lost their lives in war.”

In response, Principal Elias said, "We have reached a historic day," and, "It is a day to think about who I am and what kind of work I should do."

Why has Mar Elias School, a prestigious Israeli comprehensive educational institution with a full curriculum from kindergarten to university, paid attention to the peace movement of HWPL's Chairman Lee? Why did Principal Elias decide to incorporate HWPL's peace curriculum within the school's own?

It is because of the lasting impression made on Principal Elias who attended the 1st World Peace Summit held in Seoul on September 17th-19th 2014. He directly witnessed the unity of 200,000 members of our global community in an event that transcended creed, race, border, and ideology. The site of the WARP Summit was as if the results of the peace movement that Principal Elias had been carrying out in Israel had come true. He signed the Unity of Religions Agreement and promised to become an ambassador for HWPL.

After attending the 1st WARP Summit in Korea in September 2014, Fr. Elias returned to Israel to establish an HWPL WARP Office and actively participated in the WARP Dialogue of Scriptures. Fr. Elias responds to the scripture dialogue questions with an 'O' plate

Has anyone in Israel, more than Fr. Elias, longed for peace and made practical efforts to achieve it? As the son of native Palestinian refugees, he has dedicated his life to establishing peace between Israel and Palestine for more than 50 years, to the extent that he has even been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize three times.

He founded the Mar Elias Educational Institutions as part of his peace movement. Founded in 1980 in Ibillin, northern Israel, the school was established by Fr. Elias to achieve peace and harmony among Arab Christians, Muslims and Jews. It seems that he was able to better empathize with the peace movement led by Chairman Lee because it was Fr. Elias who has directly worked to achieve peace.

He actively participated in HWPL's peace movement. He personally attended the 2nd annual commemoration of the WARP Summit held in Korea in September 2016, one year after the establishment of the HWPL Peace Academy. On May 25th 2017, a congratulatory message was played at the ceremony to commemorate the public proclamation of the Declaration of World Peace. He paid a visit to the celebrations of the third annual commemoration of the WARP Summit held that same year. In March 2018, he wrote an official letter to the UN World Interfaith Harmony Week to recommend HWPL as a HWPL's ambassador. Mar Elias Educational Institutions held an Israel-Palestine Peace Camp with HWPL on March 29th 2019.

Fr. Elias is also well-versed in the religious field. He received his PhD in Theology from St. Sulpice Seminary (Paris, France), and his PhD in Bible and Talmudic Studies (Hebrew University, Jerusalem). He was ordained a priest of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church in 1965 and is archbishop emeritus. He currently serves as Vice President of the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center in Jerusalem. He participated a total of 28 times (23 times in Ibilin, 5 times in Jerusalem), until July 2018, in activities such as the WARP Dialogue of Scriptures, which began in April 2015 in Israel after Fr. Elias provided a location for a WARP Office there.

HWPL Chairman Man-hee Lee had dialogue with the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) President Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan during the 22nd Peace Tour in Jerusalem, which included the designation of an HWPL Peace Academy at an awards ceremony. Local religious leaders exchanged messages of peace, including peace discussions with Patriarch Theophilus III of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, in Israel, in addition to the Mar Elias Educational Institutions, teachers and students from Yusufiya Middle School participated in the HWPL Peace Camp held in Korea for 7 days and 6 nights from June 23th to 28th 2018. At this time, Yusufiya Middle School appointed Chairman Lee as school honorary principal, and HWPL appointed Majida Mansour as the peace teacher.

On the first floor of the HWPL Peace Institute in Gapyeong district, Gyeonggi province, the plaques and gifts that Chairman Man-hee Lee and his peace delegation received from people from all over the world are on display

Peace!

 [HWPL]

[HWPL] ‘World Alliance of Religions Peace Day’ and ‘HWPL Day’ Declared in Manhattan, New York

The Manhattan Borough President's Office, New York City, proclaimed September 18th 2015 'World Alliance of Religions Peace Day' in the Borough of Manhattan

During their 31 peace tours, there is one place that Chairman Man Hee Lee of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) and his peace delegation frequently visited to listen to calls for peace from people around the world: New York, the headquarters of the United Nations and a city where Chairman Lee met numerous UN dignitaries to secure a consensus on world peace.

What drew particular attention was the declaration of September 18 2015 as 'World Alliance of Religions Peace Day' by Manhattan Borough President's Office, New York City, which is in close proximity to the UN headquarters. This declaration had been proclaimed by HWPL at the 1st Annual Commemoration ceremony of the WARP Summit held in Seoul, Korea on that same day.

The content recorded within the declaration that was signed by Gale A. Brewer, the then Borough President of the New York City borough of Manhattan, is HWPL's founding declaration of the 'World Alliance of Religions Peace Day' on September 18th 2014 and the signing of the 'World Alliance of Religions Agreement' during the 9.18 WARP Summit at the 63 Building (63 Square) in Seoul from the 17th-19th September 2014. The signing ceremony was warmly welcomed. Former President Brewer also explained the background to the announcement of the declaration, saying, “Support for the annual commemoration of the 9.18 World Alliance of Religions' Peace (WARP) Summit, which fosters cooperation between individuals, groups and nations beyond creed, is growing in the city.”

Brewer said, “The philosophy of HWPL is to bring people of different religions together based on the concept of ‘heavenly culture’. It plays the role of making things one.” She said, "Recognizing HWPL's commitment to world peace, we declare Friday, September 18th 2015, as 'World Alliance of Religions Peace Day' in the borough of Manhattan."

Brewer stamped the written declaration with the official seal of the borough of Manhattan.

Brewer's support did not stop there. Two years later, on May 8th 2017, Brewer officially designated March 14th, the day of the proclamation of the ‘Declaration of World Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW, 10 articles 38 clauses)’ , ‘HWPL Day’.

On the first floor of the HWPL Peace Institute in Gapyeong district, Gyeonggi province, various awards and gifts given to Chairman Man-hee Lee and his peace delegation by people during their global peace tours are displayed.

The response of the Manhattan Borough President's Office to Chairman Lee and his peace mission did not come out of nowhere.

It was in July 2012 that Chairman Lee began to form a consensus with the locals in New York. On his second overseas tour, Chairman Lee invited the Christian community and those with an interest in the Bible to an Open Bible Seminar. From that time on, the scope of participants expanded beyond numerous religious circles, beginning with a conference hosted in New York on May 15th 2014, during the 10th Peace Tour, where 130 local faith leaders participated and promoted religious harmony at the Interfaith World Peace Conference hosted by HWPL at the Pennsylvania Hotel in New York.

Up to this point, peace discussions with people of religion had been mainly conducted in New York, but after that, the scope of activity expanded to a peace movement for global peace that would transcend creed, race, border and ideology.

During the 14th Peace Tour and third visit by Chairman Lee to New York, Chairman Lee met with UN officials in earnest. On September 2nd 2014, the UN Peace Conference was held at the Millennium Hotel and was attended by representatives from the United Nations, including the late Noel Sinclair (former President of the UN Security Council), Mary Singletary (President at the National Council of Women of the United States), Isaiah Chabala (former Ambassador of Zambia to the United Nations, Founder and President of Visionary Empowerment Inc.), and Carlos García (former Permanent Mission of El Salvador to the United Nations, Founder of CG Global Consultant).

Al Jazeera conducted on-site coverage of the Peace Conference and reported the news locally. Chairman Lee had a meeting with 'Queen Mother' Dr. Delois Blakely, Community Mayor of Harlem and UN Goodwill Ambassador to Africa, whose autobiography is understood to be the inspiration for the film and stage musical 'Sister Act'. Upon hearing Chairman Lee's message of peace, she said, "I am very grateful to God for sending Chairman Lee." Chairman Lee said, "It is being proven to us all that world peace is achieved through actions, not just words." She expressed her gratitude for the inclusion of (HWPL's) Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War within the UN Declaration, and delivered a letter of appreciation to Chairman Lee assuring him of her full support.

Securing participation in this peace movement, Chairman Lee not only met the 'Queen Mother', but also the heads of Yemeni regional peace groups, UN media outlets, UN Global Education First Initiative (GEFI) Chernova Steering Committee, and UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth Mr. Ahmad Alhendawi.

Participants hold hands and sing in jubilation following the signing of an agreement at the 'World Peace Convention Ceremony' at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on December 4th, 2014.

When Chairman Lee revisited New York on December 3rd 2014 during his 16th peace tour, the '2015 World Peace Convention Ceremony' was attended by about 500 people, including UN ambassadors from 7 countries, 16 media outlets, people of religion, lawyers, and various peace organizations. At this meeting, Chairman Lee delivered a keynote speech. The peace conference concluded with participants standing, holding hands and their respective national flags and joyfully singing a song of peace. UN officials acknowledged it as a sight to behold at the noble United Nations Headquarters, and praised Chairman Lee for his efforts in bringing unity to the global community.

On September 28th 2015, at the time of the 70th session of the UN General Assembly, Chairman Lee was invited to the Global Peace Leadership session held in Conference Room 3 of the UN headquarters. At that time, Chairman Lee was conducting his 20th peace tour. Held under the theme, ‘World Peace: Consultation Between Religious Leaders and the Role of Women and Youth’, reports on the progress of HWPL’s Peace Tour and World Peace Summit were also presented.

The event was attended by many people who had attended the 2014 World Peace Summit, including former Minister of Foreign Affairs in Bangladesh, Dr. Kamal Hossain; Alvind Bora, Chairman of the Federation of Jain Associations in North America; Princess Maria Amor Torres; and Founder of the South Asian Bar Association, Inderjit Singh. When local religious leaders in New York heard the news of Chairman Lee's visit, they invited Chairman Lee to deliver a message of peace. At the Religious Leaders Meeting held at Trump World Tower on that day, Chairman Lee emphasized the movement of the WARP Offices and encouraged the religious world to become one by comparing their respective scriptures.

At the '2018 World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development' conference on May 31st 2018, Chairman Man-Hee Lee speaks to UN ambassadors from 145 countries about the urgency of proposing the DPCW to the United Nations for the 'enactment of an international law to cease war'. On that day, HWPL delivered the book 'True Story of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL): Peace and Cessation of War' - produced by Chairman Lee and detailing the results of the peace tours of the Chairman and his peace delegation - to the ambassadors of each country

During his 25th peace tour, Chairman Lee visited New York again. On May 6th 2017, at the Religious Leaders' Conference held at Hotel Pennsylvania, Fateh Aliya (President of Yemeni American Association) and Eric Adams (Brooklyn Borough President) co-presented the Peace Achievement Award to Chairman Lee in recognition of his outstanding contribution to peace for humanity.

At the 'Cessation of War Peace Memorial Festival' held at Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park on the 8th May 2017, William Bendon Hubell (Founder of the Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park and US Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations) came up with an innovative solution to achieving peace among politicians, legal circles, religions, women and youth. He actively led the activities within each group and presented Chairman Lee with the Peace Achievement Award.

Support for the global peace movement of Chairman Lee and his peace delegation gained further momentum and, on May 31st 2018, during the 28th Peace Tour, the '2018 World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development' was held at the UN headquarters with HWPL drawing in the participation of UN ambassadors from 145 countries. A global consensus was reached in support of the 10 Articles and 38 Clauses of the DPCW for the cessation of war and achievement of world peace. As the final speaker, Chairman Lee emphasized the need for adoption of the 'Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)' and the necessity for “enactment of an international law for the cessation of war”. Attendees expressed their support with a standing ovation. Currently, the 10 Articles and 38 Clauses of the DPCW is being proposed to the United Nations for enactment as international law.

Peace!

 [HWPL]

[HWPL] ‘Declaration of HWPL Day’, ‘Peace Appreciation Certificate' and ‘Honorary Citizen Certificate' by Carson City, Los Angeles, USA

At the American Peace Conference held at the Carson Community Center in Los Angeles on December 6th 2014, former Los Angeles Mayor Jim Dear established and declared May 25th 'HWPL Day', conferred honorary citizenship on Chairman Man-hee Lee and issued him a citation

2018 City of Carson Proclamation of DPCW Awareness Week

The proclamation of the 10 articles and 38 clauses of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) by Man-hee Lee, Chairman of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), in 2016, triggered an overwhelming global response.

In the United States, a remarkable achievement resulted in the form of a pledge to support HWPL's peace movement by Carson City in the south bay region of Los Angeles County, California.

Announced on June 4th 2018, the 'City of Carson Proclamation in Recognition of Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) Awareness Week' stated, “the Mayor and City Council of Carson, California proclaim June 9-15 2018 'DPCW Peace Awareness Week''' to encourage citizens to accept the need for peace within the community - at home and in school - and as a pledge to garner support for peace education within the workplace and government.

The main text of the declaration was recorded concisely in line with the 10 articles and 38 clauses of HWPL's DPCW.

City of Carson's Proclamation Declaring May 25 'HWPL Day'

City of Carson first addressed religious freedom, stating, “Religious freedom is a fundamental human right, and Carson citizens promote peaceful coexistence between religious and ethnic groups.” It emphasized that "Peaceful dialogue between government leaders and citizens is essential for a culture of tolerance and fairness."

It stated, “Peaceful conflict resolution is important for creating a harmonious community, and in our diverse society, everyone respects the differences in race, religion, and culture.” “To end violence, citizens promote peace. We need to build a culture that supports and promotes peace, and a culture of peace must be preserved through activism, the media, and legislation to benefit mankind.”

In addition, it asserts that “protecting the environment and acknowledging environmental justice are essential to creating a peaceful society that will be passed on to future generations, and peace education should be encouraged in schools, workplaces, and local communities to maintain a peaceful society.”

Albert Robles, former Mayor of City of Carson

This declaration was promoted and announced by former Mayor Albert Robles, who attended the WARP Summit in 2014. Following Mayor Jim Dear (2004-2015), Albert Robles served as Mayor of Carson from 2016-2020.

The City of Carson's confidence in HWPL had been demonstrated through its designation of Chairman Lee as Honorary Citizen and issuing Chairman Lee a citation for his peace movement on December 6th 2014, during the period of Mayor Jim Dear in office. Moreover, Carson City drew attention by designating May 25th, a date when the Declaration of World Peace was proclaimed, as “Heavenly Culture, World Peace and Restoration of Light (HWPL) Day.”

Honorary Citizen of Carson City Certificate, LA

At that time, during peace discussions with Chairman Lee, Mayor Dear promised his support, saying, “The work that the Chairman has done so far is really great and important. While I serve as Mayor of Carson, I will cooperate with Chairman’s peace movement in whatever way I can.”

Chairman Lee noted that at the time of the 1st WARP Summit, the participants signed a peace treaty and a pledge for the alliance of religions. He said, “It has not been possible until now because there has neither been an end to war, nor the security of peace within this global village. If we do it, we can do it.” Mayor Dear said, “Chairman Lee’s words are the answer to peace. I think there is a clear way to achieve peace."

A peace conference was also held on May 22nd 2014 in Carson, during the 10th peace tour of Chairman Lee, in the presence of about 1000 people whose enthusiastic support was given.

Peace Appreciation Certificate by the City of Carson, Los Angeles County: May 22nd 2014

Peace Appreciation Certificate by the City of Carson, Los Angeles County: December 6th 2014

Peace!

 [HWPL]

[HWPL] 'Certificate of Appreciation and Medal for World Peace’ given by the City of Veracruz, Mexico

Mayor of Veracruz, Ramón Poo Gil delivers a certificate of appreciation for world peace to Chairman Man-hee Lee on behalf of the municipal council at the Municipal Palace of Veracruz on May 20th 2014

Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) Chairman Man-hee Lee received a certificate of appreciation and a medal from the city of Veracruz, the largest port city of the Gulf of Mexico, in recognition of his contribution to peace. He was also made Honorary Ambassador of the city of Veracruz.

Certificate of appreciation from the city of Veracruz declaring the appointment of Chairman Lee as Honorary Ambassador 

On May 20th 2014, Mayor of Veracruz, Ramón Poo Gil invited Chairman Lee to the Municipal Palace of Veracruz where, on behalf of the city council, Chairman Lee was awarded a certificate of appreciation and a medal. The certificate of appreciation, entitled 'Award in honor of outstanding achievements towards world peace and harmony,' reads, "With the full support, thoughts, will and hearts of the citizens of Veracruz for the pathway established between the Americas and the West in recognition of the representative's notable global peace efforts.” The letter of appreciation awarded in person by the mayor at the Municipal Palace of Veracruz was particularly meaningful as it is an award given only to people with distinguished achievements.

Mayor Gil appointed Chairman Lee an Honorary Ambassador of the City of Veracruz. About 500 people, including politicians, leading municipal officials and religious leaders, attended the awards ceremony that was held with great success. 28 national and local media agencies and broadcasters competed fiercely for coverage.

A medal presented to Chairman Lee which, on the inside, reads, “Peace moves us.”

Mayor Ramón Poo Gil awarded Chairman Lee with a certificate of appreciation, not only because of Chairman Lee's efforts in establishing peace during his global peace tours, but mainly because of the substantial fruits of peace Chairman Lee bore through his peace movement in Mexico.

In fact, during the 7th Peace Tour in November 2013, Chairman Lee and his delegation held a Peace Walk and Peace Seminar in Tijuana, a tourist resort in Mexico, where a number of citizens signed up to join HWPL's peace movement.

Mayor of Veracruz expressed that he was very moved by this peace messenger, who moved the hearts and minds of youth and citizens with his unique call for peace, and presented him with a certificate of appreciation. In an interview following the award ceremony, Mayor Gil emphasized, “Chairman Man-hee Lee, who is steering the path for world peace, is a key individual within our global village.''

Certificate of Appreciation for Peace awarded by Pastors of Veracruz

It was just one month before their visit that Chairman Lee and his peace delegation made the decision to include the city of Veracruz, Mexico within the itinerary of their 10th peace tour. Chairman Lee and the peace delegates, who had visited South America on their 9th peace tour in April, formed a special relationship with a Mexican pastor couple during their visit to Uruguay. The Mexican pastor couple were on the same plane with Chairman Lee, and were shocked to see a bright light surrounding Chairman Lee, so they approached the peace delegation requesting they take a picture together.

The pastor couple had informed the City of Veracruz of this fact one month before Chairman Lee's visit.

In an interview with a media outlet, Chairman Lee said, “I believe that peace and blessings will come to this land in the near future, as inferred by the names of Mexico and Veracruz. We all have to work together and, with humble and sincere hearts, do our best in our respective positions.”

The HWPL Peace Institution on display for people to glance at the peace activities that Chairman Man-hee Lee and his peace delegation have been carrying out since 2012

He also mentioned the sinking of the Sewol ferry in Korea that occurred at the time of his visit, saying, “It breaks my heart whenever I think of the victims of the Sewol ferry disaster in Korea.“ He added, “This message of peace must be spread widely, and the hearts of all people must be filled with peace and blessings so that there is no more pain and sorrow.”

During a conference on the theme of the cessation of war and world peace that followed the awards ceremony in Veracruz, Chairman Lee appealed for “humanity to cease wars and work together to achieve peace.” Attendees responded with a standing ovation.

Chairman Lee's message of peace on that day was said to have been witnessed as a beacon of great hope for Mexican authorities and the citizens of Veracruz, whose city had been afflicted with high levels of crime.

Peace!!

 [HWPL]

[HWPL] A gift from Bangladesh's former Minister of Foreign Affairs: Tagore's Poem, 'Lamp of the East'

In September 2015, Dr. Kamal Hossain, former Minister of Justice in Bangladesh, presented Tagore’s poem ‘Lamp of the East’ to Chairman Man-hee Lee at the HWPL Peace Institution. In the middle of the frame is a copy of Tagore's manuscript of "Lamp of the East", translated in both Korean and English, and the poetry collection Gitanjali which secured Tagore the Nobel Prize in Literature

“The ‘Lamp of the East’ that Tagore spoke of is Chairman Man-Hee Lee.”

These words were spoken by Dr. Kamal Hossain (practicing barrister, former Vice Chairman of the International Law Association (ILA), former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh) to Chairman Man-Hee Lee, waiting for the elevator enroute to a banquet following the moving opening ceremony of the ‘WARP Summit’ that Dr. Hossain attended that day on September 17th 2014.

On that day, as an assurance of his commitment to the peace activities of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL, Chairman Man-hee Lee), Dr. Hossain attended the 'WARP Summit' and was visibly moved, not only by the contents of the event, but also the actions of the young male volunteers of International Peace Youth Group (IPYG) who aspire for world peace.

Dr. Kamal Hossain and Chairman Man-Hee Lee at the HWPL International Law Committee Conference held in London, England during Chairman Lee's 21st Peace Tour in November 2015

One year later in September 2015, Dr. Kamal Hossain, who travelled to Korea to seek counsel on an international law for peace promoted by HWPL, said, “Chairman Man-hee Lee is the ‘Lamp of the East’ that Tagore spoke of.” A gift frame containing a copy of Rabindranath Tagore's poem ‘Lamp of the East’, as well as their English and Korean translations, was presented to Chairman Lee.

Expressing his respect for everything he had witnessed at the WARP Summit, Dr. Hossain said, “It is very insightful having the youth group participate for world peace. I was really surprised last year (WARP Summit).”

HWPL International Law Peace Committee members engage in a heated discussion at the HWPL International Law Committee Conference held in London, UK during the 21st peace tour of Chairman Man-hee Lee in November 2015

Dr. Kamal Hossain, who returned to Bangladesh after completing his itinerary, sent his alumnus Dr. Mohammad Nazrul Islam (Professor of International Law, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh) to Korea to help draft the ‘Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)’. The draft declaration developed by Professor Nazrul Islam was later revised into “The 10 Articles and 38 Clauses of the DPCW” following discussion with the HWPL International Law Peace Committee.

As a member of the HWPL International Law Peace Committee, Dr. Hossain worked hard to enact the DPCW, and introduced it to the former president of Sri Lanka in person, serving as a bridge to inform the international community of HWPL's peace movement.

Dr. Hossain, who attended the HWPL International Law Committee Conference in London, England, during the 21st Peace Tour of Chairman Lee in November 2015, said, “The Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) is imperative for various reasons because this initiative was developed from the marginalized voices, the voices of women and youth. War does not benefit anyone. Rather, it takes everything away. This innovative Convention will strengthen our global society and international law framework by supplementing the gaps.''

After the conference in London, Dr. Hossain introduced Chairman Man-Hee Lee as keynote speaker at the ‘Model United Nations (MUN) conference’ at his alma mater, Oxford University, UK. Chairman Man-Hee Lee presented the significant role that the youth of this generation, who were in attendance that day, can play, saying, “Please play the role of a watchdog for the cessation of war and world peace.”

Since then, Dr. Kamal Hossain has been committed to ensuring the enactment of the DPCW as an international law for peace, and attended the proclamation ceremony of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) in Seoul on March 14th 2016.

Following the conference in London, Dr. Hossain introduced Chairman Man-Hee Lee as keynote speaker at the ‘Model United Nations (MUN) conference’ at his alma mater, Oxford University, UK. Chairman Man-Hee Lee presented the significant role that the youth of this generation, who were in attendance that day, can play, saying, “Please play the role of a watchdog for the cessation of war and world peace.”

Korea: "The Lamp of the East"

"In the golden age of Asia

Korea was one of its lamp-bearers

And that lamp is waiting to be lighted once again

For the illumination of the East..."

Tagore’s ‘Lamp of the East’ is a short poem published in the Dong-A Daily on April 2nd 1929. In 1929, when Rabindranath Tagore, the great Indian poet, visited Japan, he was asked to visit Korea by a reporter from the Dong-A Daily, but his schedule would not allow it. It was translated and published by the poet and editor Yo-Han Ju.

This poem is one of two poems written by Tagore about Korea. It was an encouraging ode for Koreans living under harsh Japanese colonial rule that instilled the hope of attaining independence if they remained steadfast. By expressing the excellence of Korean national culture and Korea's strong and flexible national character as the “Lamp of the East,” it became a source of great encouragement and comfort to the Korean people living under colonial oppression at that time.

Tagore, who won Asia's first Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for 'Gitanjali' (poetry collection of devotions to the gods), is considered a great poet because he wrote spiritual and revelatory poetry that crosses human boundaries. Just as many poets write after being inspired by revelations from the Bible, Tagore also wrote poetry with exemplary religious intuition. It is a poetic expression of the revelation of God. In that respect, Tagore is considered a prophet, and his poem ‘Lamp of the East’ is not merely a poem that urged the independence of Joseon (Korea) under Japanese colonial rule, but is a prophetic and revelatory poem.

‘Lamp of the East’ depicts how Korea, which is one of the most ancient civilizations on earth (oriental civilization), will again spread true civilization to the world and bring about the unfolding of a future anew. In other words, this short poem implied Korea's past, present and future, and at the same time, foreshadowed that Korea would usher in a new era of humanity.

In particular, in the expression ‘And that lamp is waiting to be lit once again’, it can be seen that the ‘lamp’ refers to a person who will assume the role as ‘Lamp of the East’.

Dr. Kamal Hossain, after watching the unprecedented ‘WARP Summit’ peace event held in Korea in the East in September 2014, spoke with conviction about the ‘Lamp of the East’ that opens a new era for mankind being Chairman Man-hee Lee.

Meanwhile, Tagore's birthplace was formerly part of India, and now forms part of Bangladesh. The national anthem of Bangladesh, ‘My Golden Bengal’, is a song written and composed by Tagore himself.

Peace!