[HWPL]

[HWPL] HWPL's Environmental Clean Up Campaign in Zambia

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 Environment Clean Up Campaign in Zambia :)

Peace Blossoms as 300 Citizens of Lusaka Come Together to Clean Up the Environment

On March 1st, the HWPL Zambia Branch held the ‘Clean Up, Crime Down: Peace Street Volunteer Activity’ on Lumumba Road in Lusaka. Over 300 citizens came together to take part in an activity aimed at creating a cleaner environment, improving public safety, and building a more peaceful city.

The event was attended by Gabriel Pollen, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, along with members of parliament, local government officials, international religious leaders, and peace activists. The visit by Miss Earth Zambia 2023 also drew more public attention and support, eventually leading to the participation of the rapper, Be Flow, alongside numerous youth groups from the region.

▲ Street Cleanup Activity

Inspired by the ‘Broken Window Theory,’ this initiative aimed to highlight the positive impact that clean streets and a well-kept environment can have on reducing crime. This was an important first step toward strengthening community awareness through environmental cleanliness and ultimately delivering the message of moving toward a peaceful city without crime. This event also served as an opportunity for HWPL and Zambia to reaffirm their shared vision of spreading a culture of peace and bringing about lasting change in the community.

Starting at 9 a.m., the participants were briefed on the purpose of the event and then headed out to the street with their cleaning gear. Afterwards, a ceremony was held to put up the peace sign, which marked a meaningful moment for everyone involved to commit to maintaining peace.

▲ Commemorative Photo in front of the Article 10 DPCW Signboard

“This project essentially is part of the broader transformation, essentially, that the government endeavors. So, mindset shift is essential in order to ensure that we inculcate and entrench values of cleanliness in our society,” said Gabriel Pollen, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. “And as we begin to entrench those values, people will realize and recognize cleanliness is their personal responsibility. And as they recognize that it’s their personal responsibility, they will take action to keep their cities clean. And as they take that action, together as a society, we will see that we will live together in harmony and reduce our crime rates.”

Pollen also stressed that the event could make a practical contribution to creating a safer and cleaner environment.

▲ Reading of the DPCW by Zambia’s Peace Ambassadors

In an interview, Miss Earth Zambia 2023 expressed her deep support for the “Clean Up, Crime Down” Peace Street volunteer initiative.

“What I specialize in is peace and conflict analysis. That’s my specialty. So, knowing how much the environment and peace are related? This is a very good cause; this is what people need to know, you know, in an area where it is dating, in an area that attracts a lot of crime,” Miss Earth Zambia said.

“Hence, we need to start with cleaning up certain places in order to create a conducive environment for everyone to be here. I’ll give an example: when I was coming here, parking was an issue. I was parking with a lot of mixed feelings, you know, because I know well that crime is everywhere. Anyone can barge into my phone and grab it. But there it is, clean, and it was really welcoming. Right now, like, I’m at peace because of how clean it is.”

▲ Appointing peace ambassadors of Zambia

During the event, six peace ambassadors of Zambia were appointed, and a signboard was put up that read, ‘The 10th Article of the DPCW: Spreading the Culture of Peace.’ This is believed to lay the foundation for Lusaka to grow into a true city of peace. The event was covered by the state-run broadcaster (ZNBC) along with other media outlets, and the footage was played over 4,500 times through various news reports.

HWPL aims to further strengthen its cooperation with the city of Lusaka and continue driving efforts to clean up the environment, branching out to develop Peace Street and help prevent crime.

HWPL also plans to roll out events to introduce peace education in public schools and carry out awareness-raising activities to boost civic consciousness. These efforts aim to draw in local residents and look for practical ways to promote sustainable urban development.

HWPL Official Homepage

https://www.hwpl.kr/language/en/home-hwpl-_en/