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• Peace as Institution to Change Daily Lives of People : 7th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War

  Under the theme of “Institutional Peace: Strengthening Communication to Build Trust”, an international peace NGO, Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light(HWPL), holds its 7th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War(DPCW) from March 14^th to 19^th in 41 countries from Africa, Europe, North America and Asia.

  With the foundation of “Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)” as a tool for comprehensive global peacebuilding cooperation, 7,000 people in the fields of politics, legal profession and religion, education, media, women and youth, will join the event where the participants share the cases of conflict prevention, mediation, and resolution to institutionalize peace as a universal culture and norm.

  “This declaration, comprised of 10 articles and 38 clauses, aims to restore the spirit that served as the basis for the establishment of the United Nations and to achieve sustainable peace by promoting the universal values of the global community. The DPCW contains the message of no war, peace between nations and societies, friendly relations, prosperity, happiness, this is a simple message and everyone can relate to this message,” said Prof. Dr. Md Nazrul Islam, Chairman of International Law, University of Dhaka who drafted the DPCW, in the event on March 14^th.

  In his progress report presentation, Pravin Parekh, President of the Confederation of Indian Bar, presented major activities of overcoming disconnection and distrust and the progress for realizing the introduction of the DPCW to the United Nations. “HWPL has been strengthening trust and communication with youth, women, and civil society around the world in solidarity through activities such as Legislate Peace Project, WARP Office, and Peace Education,” he said.

  Emphasizing the need for dialogues among religious leaders to facilitate tolerance and understanding, Ven. Myeong An, Vice President of Yeorae Order of Korean Buddhism, said, “Currently, many conflicts, persecutions, and conflicts among religions are taking place in the global village. It's because of intolerance and a lack of communication. However, what if many religious people come to discuss with scriptures? It will only be a matter of time before a world of peace comes.”

  In the event, action plans to advocate peace in Ukraine were prepared. Participants from over 100 countries write “Peace Letters” to denounce Russian invasion of Ukraine as a violation of international law and demand Russian President Putin a total withdrawal from the Ukraine territory. “Future generations of Russians will remember you and this war as an indelible and shameful history, and you will be left in history as the one responsible for sacrificing countless innocent lives,” the letter stated. These letters will be collected and sent to Ukraine, where a peace monument will be erected.

  During the speech, Chairman Lee Man-hee of HWPL emphasized, “Peace cannot be achieved alone. If everyone can live together as one, there will be no wars or conflicts. As the saying goes, love your neighbor as yourself, war will disappear only when there is love for each other. Current international law cannot prevent war. Russia, a permanent member of the United Nations, waged a war. The DPCW was introduced to renew the inoperative international law to eliminate war. Now is the time to achieve peace. Just as people learn when they have to create (something), peace must be taught at home and at school to create peace. If people's hearts change, a better world will be created. Let everyone in the global village become messengers of peace.”

• Leaders of Four Religions and Students Discuss the Resolution of Religious Conflicts at Sulaimani University in Iraq

  On 21 February, amid persisting conflicts and disputes among religions in the globe, HWPL Religious Peace Camp at Sulaimani University in Iraq was held attended by 60 students of the Sulaimani University of Iraq to discuss ways to ease the tension among the religions. They recalled the role of the youth in relieving religious antagonism by listening to speeches by 4 religious leaders from Christianity, Islam, Kakai, Zoroastrianism.

  HWPL’s Religious Youth Peace Camp is an initiative to foster youth as key players in peacefully resolving conflicts and enhancing their capacity as such by providing an opportunity to have religious and cultural exchange among youth worldwide, including members of youth organizations.

  Based on his experience with HWPL, Dr. Nariman Abdallah Ali, Dean of Humanities and Social Science of Halabja University from Iraq began the event by his congratulatory message saying, “The HWPL organization, which is headquartered in South Korea and has bases in many other nations, has been working hard for peace in Kurdistan, Iraq, and other places. Their efforts in this regard. It has a significant positive impact on the dissemination of the concept of peace in many nations throughout the world. We at Halabja University have participated in various events with HWPL, including symposiums, workshops, seminars, youth peace camps, and peace education.”

  Dr. Mahdy Qadir Ahmed, Islamic Sciences College, University of Sulaimani said, “Islam aims to achieve world peace by establishing an alliance of universal tolerance  based  on brotherhood and enacting  a  righteous universal  law  that  respects democracy, consultation, and the peaceful transfer of power, criminalizing war and prohibiting weapons of mass destruction including preserving the dignity of human beings, human rights and freedom of belief.”

  Head of Human Development of Shnrwe Kakayi Organization, Mr. Asi Faeq Salih stressed a that religion is one thing, “According to Kaka's religion, all religions come from the same source, like a tree with leaves from different branches, but the height and roots of all kinds come from the same place, he has revealed his power to human through nature and the prophets.” Mr. Ibrahim Zrary, a member of High Council of Kurdistan Zoroastrian highlighted that the efforts of all leaders are important to identify and resolve the cause of the inter-religious conflict.

  Students discussed the causes of religious discrimination and find ways to solve it. In addition, they vowed to participate in overcoming religious conflicts and achieving peace out of the inspiration from the footage of civilian peace agreement in Mindanao, Philippines, mediated by HWPL.

  HWPL has recognized how crucial religious harmony is in building a peaceful world. To realize this, It has been implementing initiatives including the World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Offices, Religious Youth Peace Camp, and Open Dialogue with Religious Leaders across the globe to serve as the platform for facilitating harmony among various religious groups.

• The Regime of Tyrant Putin and his Shameful Army should Unequivocally and Unconditionally get Defeated in this War !!!

  February 24, 2022 is the day which will be imprinted in the memory of the people of Ukraine and the whole civilized world as the first hours of severe war of Russia against Ukraine. Today, it has been exactly a year since Russia has started a wide-scale war in the middle of Europe against independent Ukraine, which at the moment gets continued with mass assaults of heavy artillery bombs. The day today is the most painful for every Ukrainian. This is the day which substantially changed everything and moved us to the new world of unpleasant reality.

  During this one-year people of Ukraine have been exposed to a lot of suffering, sadness and anxiety. Atrocities of Russian invaders and destruction are indescribable. The destructive war started by Putin led to everyday deaths of thousands of innocent peaceful citizens, elderly and children.  The Russian barbarian army has already exterminated 459 Ukrainian children and these data are not final. When on everyday basis we see terrible acts of the Russian invader, I have no doubt that Putin is a tyrant and the most dangerous terrorist in the 21^st-century world. When I think about what the people of Ukraine have to stand, the feeling of pain emerges and my hatred towards the Russian invader gets even more intensive. 

  Tyrant Putin and his terrorist authority made millions of Ukrainians to essentially leave their homes. But, despite this hard suffering, brave Ukrainian people demonstrated to everyone that fighting for independence, freedom, values, identity, territorial integrity and the strength to fight for the right to live on one’s own land is in unity and this strength is much more than the will of any Kremlin dictator. Unity, bravery and persistent fight of Ukrainian people against the Russian military aggression is exemplary for the whole world.

  These hard days gave the world civilized community the feeling of solidarity and it is not a coincidence that today, on February 24, the war anniversary, the American Friendship Club decided to hold the solidarity action near the territory of the embassy of Ukraine which was dedicated to the memory of peaceful Ukrainian children, elderly and soldiers who died as a result of the Russian war.

  At the same time, with this event we wanted to once again show everyone and, most importantly, the Russian authority in Georgia, what the attitude of freedom-loving Georgian nation is towards brave people of Ukraine and our common values.

  Besides, the aim of today’s solidarity action was to once again remind to the Russian authority of Georgia how much evil party and individual collaboration with tyrant Putin brings.    

  Finally, I consider that besides military support it is extremely significant not to slowdown and further enhance support of brave people of Ukraine.

  I am sure very soon brave Ukrainean people and the whole civilized world together with them will celebrate victory on the land of freedom and defeat of the tyrannous regime of Putin and his shameful army. 

  Indeed! Russia should unequivocally and unconditionally get defeated in this war!!!

  Glory to Ukraine! Glory to Georgia and the civilized world!!!

  President of the American Friendship Club - Ilia Zukakishvili

  February 24, 2023

• Ambassador Herczynski’s message on the one year mark of Russia’s war in Ukraine

  Ambassador Herczynski’s message on the one year mark of Russia’s war in Ukraine. It has been one year since Russia launched its unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine.
  This ongoing war is an unprecedented violation of fundamental values and principles of international law.
  Ukraine was attacked because it wanted to decide about its future by itself, not with dictate from Moscow.
  According to the UN Charter, as a victim of aggression, Ukraine has the inherent right to defend itself.
  The EU remains resolute, united and determined in our support to Ukraine on all fronts: humanitarian, economic, political, diplomatic and military.
  This is not just an aggression against Ukraine, a sovereign country, but aggression against democracy worldwide.
  This is a threat to all countries, because what is at stake is their independence and sovereignty to make choices based on their own decisions.
  The EU is working towards the widest possible international condemnation and isolation of Russia by the international community. 
  Our unity with like-minded international partners has been unwavering and we are taking unprecedented actions together.
  Georgia has been actively participating in these efforts.
  Six United Nations General Assembly resolutions confirm the international condemnation and isolation of Russia.
  The EU’s support for Ukraine will not diminish the attention to other partners. On the contrary, unequivocal and resolute response to Russia’s war in Ukraine must be maintained to hold the aggressor accountable.
  Georgia’s close cooperation with the EU, based on shared understanding of our common European values is a solid foundation to build an ever stronger EU-Georgia relationship. The EU has given a clear European perspective to Georgia, with concrete steps to receive EU candidate status. This process is merit-based and reform driven.
  At the same time, Russian and other disinformation actors seek to manipulate the information space to echo pro-Kremlin narratives and propaganda, obstruct integration, sow divisions and diminish solidarity. We need to be vigilant, strengthen our resilience and cooperate closely to counter these malicious activities.
  Ukraine is fighting for values the Europe is built on.
  Ukraine’s fight is our fight.
  Ukraine must prevail.
  Glory to Ukraine!

• International Media Workshop for Journalists Discuss Institutional Peace

  Amid the ongoing natural and human crisis in the global community including the earthquake in Turkey and Syria and the Russia-Ukraine war, the 1st ‘HWPL International Workshop on Peace Journalism’ was held online on the 18th of February with about 150 participants from about 30 countries. Under the theme “A Road to Institutional Peace for Sustainable Development”, the workshop aimed to enhance peace journalism and international media networks.

  The event was organized by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) with support from 28 media worldwide. HWPL, a South Korea-based international peace NGO affiliated with the UN ECOSOC and the UN DGC, has carried out global peace movements for world peace and cessation of war since its foundation in 2013.

  The workshop included the celebration of a publication of "Peace Journalism Studies" which was collaborated by HWPL and international journalists with their expertise and perspective on peace. The topics of the "Peace Journalism Studies" ranged from analyzing conflict situations and peacebuilding efforts with a country case to the role of civil society in bringing social changes through advocacy of peace.

  Dr. Salim Khan, director of News & Views Network (NVN) from India said “Journalists should play important role in spreading the message of love and justice. I expect that this HWPL online event on journalism will bring fresh ideas with regards to the role of media in peacebuilding and raise awareness facilitating the advocacy of peace in the society.” from his congratulatory address,

  Mr. Robert Maseka, founder of Rob Youth Foundation from Namibia delivered ”We need to make sure that we promote a global media network that will promote democracy, human rights, and good governance. Through collaboration we are able to give the right information, we can communicate and unite the world.”

  After 2 guest speakers’ congratulatory addresses, 3 journalists gave presentations who contributed to the publication of "Peace Journalism Studies."

  Ms. Frieda Sila Kana, the journalist of Digital Media Venture in Papua New Guinea, delivered conflict and violence in Papua New Guinea, saying “Sorcery and Witchcraft Accusations Related Violence is an emerging trend of violence and enemy of peace (in Papua New Guinea). The actions of inflicting pain causing death is barbaric, intense and inhumane that it cannot be ignored.”

  Mr. Ihor Shevyrov, the publicity ambassador of HWPL and a journalist from Ukraine,   emphasized, “International peace should be built not only by the UN, but also by every country. Democracy, openness and freedom of civil society, the level of protection of the rights and freedoms of every person, as well as peace education and a culture of peace are decisive for building sustainable peace in any country. All these principles are clearly defined in the 10 articles of the founding DPCW Peace Declaration. United Nations needs new peace convention on DPCW.”

  Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War(DPCW) is an international peace law drafted by the HWPL International Law Peace Committee, which is comprised of international law experts from 15 different countries. Consisting of 10 articles and 38 clauses, the DPCW, embodies the principles and measures for preventing and resolving conflicts and sustaining a peaceful global society.

  Ian Seo, general director of public relations department of HWPL said, “Peace as an institution from people having a mind of peace and various organizations collectively supporting peace and taking actions gradually becomes habits, customs, norms, ideas, laws, and ultimately a culture of peace. The HWPL International Workshop on Peace Journalism: A Road to Institutional Peace for Sustainable Development is appealing to all of you to take the role of media as a messenger of peace to develop it as an identity of individuals and as a global culture.”

  In response to the need for strengthening the peace network of the world's media, HWPL plans to publish Peace Journalism Studies and hold events regularly where journalists can discuss and share opinions to enhance peace journalism.

  The full version of "Peace Journalism Studies" can be downloaded on the website: Peace Journalism Studies (https://c11.kr/19wr2).