[IPYG]

[IPYG] IPYG's Friends: Alliance Development Trust (ADT)

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 affiliate youth group, IPYG's affiliate organization: Alliance Development Trust (ADT) in Sri Lanka.

Introducing IPYG Affiliate Organization – Alliance Development Trust (ADT)

▲ Sri Lanka New Village Campaign(Saemaul Undong)- LP Program

Alliance Development Trust (ADT), established in 2005, is a non-governmental organization officially registered with the government of Sri Lanka. ADT works with communities across the country in various sectors, including disaster relief, healthcare infrastructure development, livelihood support, child protection, and the promotion of peace and reconciliation.

More than providing humanitarian aid, ADT focuses on building the capacity of local communities to become self-reliant and resilient. In doing so, ADT adheres to internationally recognized humanitarian principles, such as the Sphere Standard, and follows the ethical guidelines set by the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (WANGO).

▲ ADT Leprosy awareness activities

Reflecting the diversity of religions and ethnicities in Sri Lanka, ADT actively promotes interfaith dialogue and youth-centered peacebuilding efforts. One such initiative is the Harmony in Diversity Project in Batticaloa, which helps young people understand different religions and live peacefully together. ADT also operates the Interfaith Leaders Network to rebuild community trust through dialogue among religious leaders and promotes community development through the Elevate Project, which integrates social solidarity with climate justice.

▲ Commemorative Message Writing for the Sri Lanka New Village Campaign(Saemaul Undong), Proposal Presentation for Sri Lanka New Village Campaign (Saemaul Undong)

Recently, ADT launched the RISE Project (Reconciliation, Interfaith Solidarity, and Empowerment for Youth) in collaboration with the Youth Engagement & Peacebuilding Working Group (YEPW) in the Gampaha region. The goal of the RISE Project is to nurture young peace leaders through interfaith cooperation, combining IPYG’s peace education expertise with ADT’s grassroots community network to foster a youth-led culture of peace.

More than 150 youth from diverse religious backgrounds are participating in peace education and leadership training. At least eight youth-led local peace projects are planned, in addition to a range of initiatives such as interfaith collaboration campaigns, storytelling programs, exhibitions, and social media content production. ADT also plans to host mentoring programs with religious leaders and facilitate dialogue to ease community tensions.

The RISE Project is part of the New Village Movement in Sri Lanka and will be piloted in Gampaha for one year, with the goal of expanding it as a youth peacebuilding model across other regions.

Raghu Balachandran, Chairman of ADT, shared the following about the partnership:

“We share many common values with IPYG, and we truly believe we can accomplish something great together. Our missions are aligned—both seek harmony and stability in Sri Lanka.”

He also shared a message for the youth:

“Peace is not a declaration, but a practice. Finding common ground and joining hands, this is where youth must take the lead.”

HWPL Official Homepage

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