International Peace Organization HWPL Leads the Development of Peace in Mindanao, Philippines

    SEOUL, KOREA, July 23, 2021 /24-7PressRelease/ -- On January 24, 2014, an international organization called Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) offered local representatives including political and religious leaders to sign a peace agreement for the conflict in Mindanao, Philippines which has lasted for 40 years. The civilian group-led peace agreement is currently at its implementation and has contributed to creating an atmosphere of peace between the government of the Philippines and the Moro people.

HWPL has held various events and activities in the Philippines since June 2013, including bringing relief for the slums, holding conversations with religious leaders for interfaith harmony, and establishing a youth network for peace.

HWPL hosted the first peace walk festival on January 24, 2014 in Mindanao, General Santos, Philippines where the peace agreement was made. Over 1,000 people, including believers from both Catholic and Islamic backgrounds, students from Mindanao State University, and members of the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), participated.

On the same day, representatives including Esmael G. Mangudadatu - Governor of Maguindanao - and a Catholic archbishop signed an agreement for the creation of peace and the cessation of war to the island of Mindanao. According to HWPL, the Mindanao peace agreement proposed a "civilian-centered awareness improvement and action-based approach" to peace.

In line with this approach, the organization is cooperating with local groups to carry out peace initiatives centered around civil society, including topics of education, religion, youth, and women in order to eliminate the factors that are sources of conflict and also to strengthen the core values for peaceful development.

At the age of 84 when he held hands with the leaders who signed the agreement, Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL recalls, "While the signing of the agreement for peace was shown to the participants, the moderator explained the peace agreement, which was photographed and videotaped. The crowd erupted in cheers and applause of joy and delight."

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