HWPL Holds its 6th Annual DPCW Commemoration and Aims to Establish a Legal Foundation to Institutionalize Peace

    CHICAGO, IL, March 22, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Heavenly Culture, World Peace and the Restoration of Light (HWPL) held its 6th Commemoration of the Declaration of Peace and the Cessation of War (DPCW) on Saturday, at 12:30 pm locally. The virtual event, attended by over 190 guests and leaders of religious and cultural organizations, celebrated the growth of the adoption of the DPCW's 10 Articles and 38 Clauses by religious and educational institutions around the world, and signaled the refined mission of institutionalizing peace.

In a statement from HWPL regarding the event it was said that "this year's commemoration of the DPCW will view international law, religion, education, and the youth in light of the prospect of setting legal foundations to institutionalize peace and present cases from numerous social arenas."

With Russia's invasion of Ukraine threatening a 3rd World War and humanitarian crises happening in many countries, there is a need for a reaffirming of civil liberties and values, and for collaboration of laws internationally that forge peace within and outside borders. It also points to the need for efforts to strengthen and complement current international law and efforts in societies to internalize the institution of peace through democratic and legal processes. In other words, in the process of establishing peace as the law applicable to all individuals, the key is the development of the institution. HWPL sets out to draw the blueprint for peace as an institution.

The event opened with videos of the last five DPCW commemorative events since its declaration on March 14, 2016, each bigger and more elaborate than the previous. Citizens of many nations, religions and cultures are shown celebrating the achievements of DPCW and participating in annual Peace Walks that look more like parades through the streets in many countries.

After a brief introduction from the Emcee, Albert Correa, congratulatory messages were shown from leaders such as Franklin Teodoro Hoet Linares, the President of the World Jurist Association, Said El Dakak the Vice President of the International Law Association and Kamal Hossain, the President of the Bangladesh Branch of the International Law Association who commented, "let us congratulate ourselves in coming together to build a legal foundation for sustainable peace."

A progress report was then provided by Pravin Parekh who is the Chairperson of HWPL's International Law Peace Committee and also the President of the Confederation of the Indian Bar. He noted the monumental peace work that HWPL has been doing in education and religious organizations around the globe. Today there are 266 World Alliance of Religion Peace Offices operating in 129 countries. And there have been over 242 locations in 42 countries where peace schools have been opened. In all, 1500 peace education sessions have been held in 111 countries.

In addition, peace messengers spoke about the work they continue to forge hand-and-hand with HWPL to enact peace education and religious harmony in their respective institutions. Rommel Santos Diaz, the President of the Dominican Federalist Foundation spoke about the DPCW Handbook Education Project to Institutionalize Peace being integral in implementing peace education in the Dominican Republic. Shafiek Nolan, Imam of the Westridge Mosque commented that Articles 8-9 of the DPCW are about ending religious conflicts, and that through attending HWPL's monthly Dialogues with religious leaders around globe, they have been able to look deeper into their religion's scriptures and create understandings that can be taken back to their congregations. "It should be the mission of all sectors of global society to aspire to the realization of the DPCW," Shafiek Nolan declared.

John Rommel Garces, HWPL Chief Branch Manager of the Philippines spoke about how, after establishing the Mindanao Peace Agreement in 2013, HWPL's peace education is being established in the Philippines, first with monuments and an HWPL Peace Day, and later with the proclamation of the DPCW in the Republic of Korea. As article 10 of the DPCW, spreading peace through education was actualized in the Philippines, Dr. Ronald Adamat, the Commissioner of CHED, furthered the mission in 2018 by signing a MOA between CHED and HWPL to institutionalize peace education in the nation. After that, a mandate was implemented to integrate peace education in school curriculum to introduce the significance of peace in relation to nation-building, development and international relations.

HWPL's mission of establishing harmonious cultures worldwide utilizes DPCW as one method for the institutionalization of peace. Based on the DPCW, participation in peace activities and peace coalitions from around the world illustrate the collective will of the global citizens for peace. This year, the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has spoken of gender and racial discrimination being a major driver of international conflicts and the instability in nations and calls on UN Member States to take concrete actions — including thorough policy measures and legislation to support equality at the national and global level. In this regard, the global alliance for peace activities led by HWPL fully aligns with the recommendations of the United Nations (UN).

Also at the commemorative event, IWPG Chairwoman, Yoon Hyun-sook commented on how the Russian invasion of Ukraine is affecting the members and children of a branch office located in the capital city of Kyiv and urged the establishment of an international law centered on the DPCW, saying "the greatest victims of war are women and young people."

Lastly, Lee Man-hee, the Chairman of HWPL spoke briefly about his work behind the scenes forging the Mindanao Peace Agreement and the aftermath. He also commented on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. To further HWPL's mission's Chairman Lee says all members of the global community should be messengers of peace. And on the part of HWPL, they seek to legislate peace and the cessation of war through an international law initiative, establishing the International Law Peace Committee composed of 17 experts, and aiming to get the DPCW approved and adopted by the United Nations. "Instead of talking peace with our lips, we have created something that could actually bring peace," Chairman Lee said of the educational materials HWPL has created to teach peace education in schools. "How great would it be to create such a free world and leave it as a lasting legacy for future generations?"

For more information about HWPL's 6th Commemoration of the DPCW, visit hwpl.kr

HWPL is a non-governmental organization registered with the Seoul Metropolitan Government of the Republic of Korea. It is associated with the UN Department of Global Communications (DGC) and in Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). In keeping with the spirit of the Declaration of World Peace, that HWPL aims to achieve world peace through the heavenly culture and restore the global community with light, we are carrying out peace activities all across the world.

With our partner group, the International Women's Peace Group (IWPG), and our affiliate group, the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), HWPL is leading an international peace movement with leaders in all walks of life without being limited by national, cultural, or ideological boundaries. Moreover, we seek to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals by spreading a culture of peace through various means such as forums, education, volunteer work, and campaigns.

HWPL's peace activities will continue until sustainable peace is assured for future generations.

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