[HWPL]

[HWPL] HWPL's Religious Peace Education in Cambodia

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 Religious Peace Education in Cambodia :)

“Peace Begins with Respect”: Religious Peace Education Camp Held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

HWPL Cambodia Religious Peace Education Camp

On February 21, HWPL Global Branch 12 held the “2026 HWPL Cambodia Religious Youth Peace Camp” at Asia Euro University in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The camp was jointly hosted and organized by Nonmony Pagoda led by Most Venerable, Dr. Sok Bunthoeun, HWPL Global Branch 12, and the IPYG. Approximately 100 participants, including religious leaders, social leaders, youth organization representatives, and university students, gathered to share the values of peace.

Amid ongoing tensions along the Cambodia–Thailand border, this camp was organized to reaffirm the fundamental values of religion—compassion, nonviolence, and harmony—and to empower the younger generation as active agents of peace.

HWPL Cambodia Religious Peace Education Camp – Part 1 Talk Show

In Part 1 of the event, the meaning of peace was explored from the perspectives of both the religious and educational sectors.

Venerable Hong Veasnar of Wat Nuon Mony Ram Temple referred to the Cambodian traditional greeting “Sampeah,” emphasizing that peace does not begin with grand ideologies, but with respect in daily life. He explained that a lack of understanding and ignorance toward one another lead to fear and conflict, while compassion and mercy are universal values shared across religions.

Representing the education sector, Chhom Sopheak, principal of Prek Leap High School, stated, “Peace education is a process of cultivating attitudes of listening, empathy, inclusion, and gratitude. Helping students develop the ability to resolve conflicts on their own—that is what true peace education is.” He added that Prek Leap High School plans to establish a “Peace Club” to foster students’ conflict resolution skills and a culture of tolerance.

In the mini talk show titled “Religion and Peace,” participants engaged in dialogue based on attentive listening and mutual respect. Each group concluded their discussion by creating and presenting a “One Sentence for Peace,” demonstrating that interreligious understanding can go beyond theory and lead to real communication.

HWPL Cambodia Religious Peace Education Camp – Part 2 Peace Golden Bell

In Part 2, the role of youth in building peace was emphasized. Khean Ravyvuthika, president of the Rotaract Club of Phnom Penh Metro, stated, “For sustainable peace, the proactive role of youth is essential, and education must equip young people with the capacity to act for social harmony.”

Participants then took part in the “Peace Golden Bell” program, reflecting on core values such as solidarity and justice. They also read the “Religious Youth Peace Solidarity Pledge,” reaffirming their commitment to choose understanding over division and to practice peace through action.

Peace Guestbook

In the final segment of the event, a video introducing HWPL’s peace activities in Cambodia and messages from youth were presented. The event concluded with a musical performance by Korean students centered on the theme of peace.

This camp was part of ongoing efforts to promote sustainable peace in local communities through cooperation between religious leaders and youth, through peace programs such as HWPL’s International Religious Peace Academy (IRPA) and IPYG’s Youth Empowerment Peace Class (YEPC). HWPL Global Branch 12 expressed its commitment to continue contributing to long-term stability and mutual understanding in Cambodian society through collaboration among religious leaders, educators, and youth.

HWPL Official Homepage

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