The Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) is commemorating a decade of global peace initiatives with its 10th Anniversary World Peace Summit. The event, which began on September 18, 2024, is taking place in South Korea and various locations across 122 countries, underscoring the organization's extensive reach and impact in promoting global harmony.
Under the theme 'Creating World Peace Community through Regional Collaboration,' the summit serves as a platform to review HWPL's achievements since its inception in 2014 and to strategize future plans for peace promotion. The organization, headquartered in Seoul and affiliated with UN ECOSOC, has grown to include 500,000 members in 170 countries and has established partnerships with 1,014 organizations across 105 nations.
HWPL Chairman Lee Man-hee emphasized the critical role of religious dialogue in fostering peace, stating, 'We must work together to create a world of peace and leave it as a legacy for future generations.' This sentiment reflects HWPL's commitment to addressing religious divisions as a key factor in global conflicts.
The summit's focus on regional cooperation has led to significant partnerships with influential international bodies. HWPL has formed alliances with the Group of 7+ (G7+), an intergovernmental organization of 20 conflict-affected countries, and The Latin American Parliament (Parlatino), which comprises 23 member states. These collaborations aim to develop tailored peace initiatives that address specific regional challenges.
One of the notable projects highlighted during the summit is the peace education program in Timor-Leste. Dr. Jose Honorio da Costa Pereira Jeronimo, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture, shared insights on the partnership between the Ministry, eight higher education institutions, and HWPL to implement peace education in the country. This initiative exemplifies HWPL's approach to cultivating global citizenship and establishing foundations for societal peace and stability.
The summit also featured reflections from international leaders, including H.E. Prof. Dr. Emil Constantinescu, the 3rd President of Romania and President of the Institute for Advanced Studies in Levant Culture and Civilization. Constantinescu recalled the 2014 HWPL summit, describing it as a moment that transcended perceived differences and united participants in the pursuit of global peace.
In South Korea, the summit has spurred the launch of 'Together: Connecting Korea,' a national campaign for social harmony. This initiative, supported by 230 civil society organizations, aims to bridge generational and cultural gaps while promoting environmental protection activities.
The 10th Anniversary HWPL World Peace Summit represents a significant milestone in global peace efforts. By bringing together diverse stakeholders from government, education, and civil society, HWPL demonstrates the power of collaborative action in addressing complex global challenges. The organization's decade-long commitment to peace-building and its extensive network of partnerships highlight the growing recognition of the importance of grassroots and international cooperation in fostering a more harmonious world.
As global tensions persist in various regions, HWPL's work serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for dialogue, understanding, and collective action. The summit's emphasis on regional collaboration and tailored peace strategies offers a model for addressing localized conflicts while contributing to a broader vision of global peace. As HWPL looks to the future, its continued efforts and expanding influence may play a crucial role in shaping international approaches to conflict resolution and peace promotion.
