HWPL advocates for peace admist war in different parts of the world

 Peace and reconciliation is an issue that, Heavenly Culture World Peace Restoration of Light (HWPL) is advocating for in today’s world of frequent wars and hostility between countries which has led to the death of over 33,000 civilians and the displacement of millions.HWPL is a non-governmental organization affiliated with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. The organization advocates for global peace and the cessation of war and conflict worldwide.

The advocacy organization collaborates with governments and civil societies to promote sustainable development and institutionalize peace across various fields. Washington DC’s HWPL Office has further focused on supporting peace-building efforts across the continent of Africa, the Caribbean, and Ukraine. According to HWPL, they are often reminded of the atrocities of war and conflict, which has led to organizing events to recognize the millions of individuals around the world who are working to create peace.

Regan Durkin, Director of HWPL, Washington DC, said volunteers participate annually in a peace walk that will take place in June in Washington DC. The organization was founded by the Chairman, Lee Man-Hee.

"It was founded in South Korea and the way it was commemorated was through a nationwide peace walk, so there were hundreds of thousands of youth and different people from society who came out and did a peace walk all together so as a result, ever since May 25th we always do peace walks around the world", said Durkin. 

For reference, HWPL uses The Declaration of Peace and the Succession of War document that was drafted by the chairman of their organization along with fifteen law experts from around the world, where they got together and they took what was international law and condensed it into ten articles and thirty-eight clauses that break down what is needed for a region, country and at the international level. Durkin said their events have also led to hosting dignitaries like Hilda Stuka-Mafudze, African Union Ambassador to the USA. 

On Thursday, March 21, 2024, on the eighth commemoration of the declaration of peace and succession of war. "The local DC Office of HWPL held a peacebuilding event under the theme, Building the Minds of Peace: Promoting Institutional Peace via Intercultural Dialogue and Understanding."She said.

The purpose of the event was to inspire the spirit of peace and further promote close cooperation and understanding. The event brought together U.S. government officials, embassy representatives, NGO leaders, education leaders, and religious figures through an interactive peace gallery and opening ceremony. Durkin said they want to make sure that these events blossom into real solutions for peace. 

The organization is also working on future projects.

“We are now working with the ambassador of Bolivia on projects like a peace library in the country of Bolivia,” She said. The organization also carries out its peace initiatives in the Caribbean by working with its affiliate partners, the International Women’s Peace Group and the International Peace Youth Group.

 Khalea Larett, the Peace Education Director at HWPL Washington DC, said their aim is to integrate peace in schools in some parts of the Caribbean.

She said, “Children are going to be our future leaders so we are making sure that they have the principles of peace as part of their core and part of their character. There is a curriculum  that the afterschool programs adopt so whether it be classroom instruction or afterschool programs, activities like peace clubs we have done a lot in the Caribbean that has been a way that it has been applied.”

Larett reiterates the importance of children being taught how to be productive members of society because they are usually the ones who are affected the most during the war.HWPL has also mediated a conflict in Philippians.

 “A lot of times when a country goes through war it is the young adults who go off and risk their lives. So we don’t want that to happen for anyone and I think just showing our track record of being able to go and mediate a conflict in the Philippines is a perfect example of bringing the people to the table to have dialogue conversations.”She said.

 After the COVID-19  pandemic also known as the coronavirus pandemic, issues like mental health emerged. She said a third party is needed to objectively talk about mental health issues and solutions that maintain peace in different regions and nations through dialogue.

 “The more we can talk about peace, the more it can be achieved. Having people who can publicize and have news stories that are about making a difference, and moving towards peace versus having the same cycle. I think that is so important and really makes a difference.”She said.

 The HWPL is an organization that brings people together to have a dialogue to find similarities and solutions and then actually enact those solutions. If you want to learn more about this organization, please click on this link HWPL