Global Peace Movement Marks a Decade of the Citizen-led Peacebuilding Efforts

 

 

“HWPL’s 10th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace and the Peace Walk”, the global peace events was held in 89 locations across 59 countries in May. The event was organized to commemorate citizen-led peacebuilding efforts for a decade. On May 25th, 5,000 participants were gathered at the Peace Gate of Seoul Olympic Park in South Korea, and other thousands of individuals around the world, including the United States, China, Japan, Australia, and Germany, are expected to join the events until the end of this month.

Recalling HWPL’s peace activities for the past 10 years, Chairman Lee Man-hee said, “Since we pledged to work together for world peace 10 years ago, we have been calling for peace all over the world. We have advocated that peace should be taught at home and at school, and that everyone should become messengers of peace. I went to the battlefield in Mindanao, Philippines to raise the voice of peace and we were promised not to begin war again.”  He also emphasized, “Everyone should be one under the title of peace and work together to create a good world and make it a legacy for future generations. This is what we need to do in this era in which we live.”

 

 

In the event, the “Joint Statement of the 10th Anniversary of the Declaration of World Peace” was unveiled. The statement said that the Declaration developed into the “Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War” (DPCW) to pursue “a transition from the rule of power to the rule of law” based on principles of “democracy, justice, civil liberties and equality, religious freedom and responsibility.” It further said that the decade of peacebuilding achieved millions of participants joining inter-religious dialogues, peace education, advocacy of peace to national leaders, network of youth in over 120 countries.

Through the joint statement, HWPL and participating organizations affirmed their commitment to institutionalizing peace through international cooperation, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 16 “Peace, justice and strong institutions.” They pledged to engage in mediation efforts and raising awareness and provide education in conflict areas, empower youth and women, promote best practices for the participation of civil society.

 

 

During the event in South Korea, 119 member organizations of International Peace Youth Group (IPYG) jointly presented a certificate of appreciation to HWPL Chairman Man Hee Lee for his dedication and contributions to world peace. Additionally, participants had a moment of remembrance for soldiers sacrificed in wars, and certificates of appreciation were presented to Korean War veterans by HWPL Chairman Lee, who also served as a Korean War veteran.

HWPL announced its ambitious goal to garner the support of 10 million citizens through their signatures to advocate for the establishment of an international law for peace. Additionally, they have organized various overseas commemorative events aimed at fostering peace within local communities around the world. Membership registration, information about peace projects, and reading the full text of and supporting the DPCW are available on HWPL’s official website at www.hwpl.kr.