[HWPL]

[HWPL] HWPL's 12th Anniversary of the Declaration of World Peace Across the World

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 12th Anniversary of the Declaration of World Peace across the world :)

Bringing Governments and Citizens to Global Peace Movement :
12th Anniversary of the Declaration of World Peace Showcases Colorful Events

▲ Steps of Peace: Peace for Unity in Malaysia

HWPL held the HWPL’s 12th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace across 94 locations in 61 countries worldwide including South Korea. The events took place both offline (86 locations) and online (8 locations), with a participation of over 1,600 public figures and 10,000 citizens globally.

The Declaration of World Peace was first proclaimed on May 25, 2013, by Chairman of HWPL Man Hee Lee in front of the Peace Gate at the Olympic Park in Seoul with 30,000 global youth advocating peace. It was a call to end war and establish peace through the collective efforts of global citizens by outlining the roles of individuals from all walks of life in achieving peace. The event also featured a large-scale Peace Walk, which has since become a symbolic annual movement in cities around the world.

▲ HWPL’s 12th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace and the Peace Walk in the Netherlands

This year’s commemorative events aim to reflect on the historical significance of the declaration and encourage greater civic participation in peacebuilding efforts. Programs included peace education presentations, video screenings, and interfaith dialogue sessions tailored to the cultural and social contexts of each participating country.

At the previous 10th anniversary, Chairman Lee Man-hee emphasized, “After declaring peace on earth (to achieve it together), I traveled around the world for the advocacy of peace. I called for peace to be taught at home and in school, and for everyone to become a messenger of peace. We need to be united under the title of peace and work together to create a better world and leave it as a legacy for future generations. This is our mission in the times we live in.”

In South Korea, reflecting the unique circumstances of the Korean Peninsula, the events focused on “peaceful unification.” Co-hosted with local governments and various civic and social organizations under the theme “Future of Peace and Prosperity: Free Travel on the Korean Peninsula,” the campaign was held throughout June in 12 cities including Seoul, Incheon, Pocheon, Wonju, Daejeon, Daegu, Busan, Jeonju, and Damyang in Jeollanam-do. Approximately 13,600 citizens participated, expressing a collective wish for genuine inter-Korean exchange and expanding public consensus on peaceful unification.

▲ “Future of Peace and Prosperity” Campaign Held in 12 Regions Across Korea, Embracing the Hope for Peaceful Unification of the Korean Peninsula

Each regional event featured unique themes such as “Together: Connecting Korea,” “Connect the North and South Through the Forest,” and “The Echo of Filial Piety and Peace: Connect Nation,” along with special programs commemorating Memorial Day and the 75th anniversary of the Korean War. Hands-on activities included the One for Korea challenge, a Peace Train experience from Seoul Station to Pyongyang Station, writing messages for separated families, and peace photo zones. Various cultural programs such as orchestra and choir performances, musicals, citizen talk concerts, and exhibition contests also encouraged voluntary participation.

Participants confronted the realities of division through presentations by separated families and intergenerational peace content connecting wartime and youth generations, deepening their understanding of the need for unification. In some events, attendees wrote peace pledges or left peace messages, urging for unification through free inter-Korean travel. Particularly, campaigns and performances that highlighted the pain of separated families and bridged the wartime and youth generations served as catalysts for intergenerational peace dialogue.

The HWPL’s 12th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace not only recalled the past achievement but also reaffirmed a shared commitment to practical actions for a peaceful future. HWPL will continue to expand its efforts in supporting international law for peace, promoting peace education, and fostering interreligious harmony through global partnerships.

▲ Peace Walk in Madagascar

▲ Blood Donation Campaign in Ethiopia

HWPL Official Homepage

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