The Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) organization commemorated its 10th anniversary of peace initiatives with a global ceremony held on September 18, 2024. The event, themed 'Building a World Peace Community through Interregional Cooperation,' celebrated a decade of peace-building efforts and unveiled strategies for future global harmony.
The ceremony, which took place at the Cheongpyeong Peace Training Center in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, was the centerpiece of celebrations occurring in 40 countries worldwide. The event featured progress reports, commemorative speeches, and the signing of memorandums of understanding, underlining HWPL's growing influence in the international peace movement.
Over the past decade, HWPL has expanded its reach to 500,000 members across 170 countries, showcasing the organization's significant growth and impact. The NGO, headquartered in Seoul and affiliated with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, has gained recognition for its efforts in promoting peace awareness and fostering understanding between cultures and religions.
One of HWPL's most notable achievements has been its role in facilitating a civil peace agreement in the Philippines, demonstrating the organization's practical approach to conflict resolution. This success has positioned HWPL as a potential model for addressing conflicts between nations and establishing sustainable peace.
HWPL Chairman Lee Man-hee emphasized the importance of religious dialogue and understanding in preventing conflicts. He stated, 'We must work together to create a world of peace and leave it as a legacy for future generations. This is to fulfill our mission as a light that brings life to the global village. Only through love and peace can the world become one.'
The anniversary ceremony also marked the launch of a new strategy focused on building 'regional networks.' This approach aims to develop peace strategies tailored to the specific characteristics and challenges of different regions worldwide. By establishing these networks, HWPL plans to enhance its ability to respond to localized threats to peace and mobilize regional resources more effectively.
In conjunction with the anniversary, HWPL introduced a public campaign called 'Together: Connecting the Republic of Korea.' This initiative, supported by approximately 230 civic groups, seeks to address social conflicts and promote harmony through citizen-led efforts, drawing inspiration from the spirit of the Saemaul Movement.
The global scope of HWPL's work is further exemplified by its partnerships with the International Women's Peace Group (IWPG) and the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG). These collaborations enable HWPL to engage leaders across various sectors, transcending national, cultural, and ideological boundaries in pursuit of peace.
As HWPL reflects on its first decade of peace-building efforts, the organization's commitment to sustainable peace remains steadfast. The new regional network strategy and expanded citizen engagement initiatives signal a shift towards more localized and targeted peace-building efforts. This approach could potentially lead to more effective conflict resolution and peace promotion strategies, tailored to the unique challenges faced by different regions around the world.
The 10th anniversary ceremony of HWPL serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for global peace initiatives and the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving lasting harmony. As the organization moves into its second decade, the international community will be watching closely to see how its new strategies and expanded reach contribute to the broader goal of world peace.
