HWPL Peace Project in Mindanao, Philippines - Practicing Principles of DPCW
Mindanao is an island in the Philippines located about 700kms from Manila. It is an island where military collision between the Philippine government and Moro group, the Muslim-majority ethnolinguistic Austronesian groups of Mindanao, lasted more than 40 years. This military collision brought the over 120,000 casualties.
Peaceful settlement in Mindanao seemed
almost impossible. However, miracle happened. On January 24th 2014,
a civilian agreement was signed between the Philippine government and Moro
group. It was Chairman of HWPL, Manhee Lee who played the leading role in this
settlement. During his visit to the Mindanao, Chairman Lee gave a speech in
front of the university students, youth group, mayor, professors, and Catholic
and Muslim leaders. He asked a simple questions to the participants. “Do you
want war or do you want peace?” “Peace” was what everyone replied back to his
question. Right after hearing the answer, Chairman requested the leaders of
both side to sign the peace agreement and this is how Mindanao Peace Agreement was
made.
Currently, many peace activities are
carried out in Philippines. Young generations are educated to become “peace
messengers” through peace education. Youth and women are participating in peace
walk May 25th of every year. Even religious leaders are taking a
part in peace work through interfaith discussion at the World Alliance of
Religions’ Peace Office (WARP Office). Every sector of civil society are
actively participating in the HWPL’s peace work to strengthen the value of
peace. What HWPL is doing through this project is establishing the culture and
value of peace.
Here are HWPL’s peace initiatives in
Mindanao:
-
Mindanao Peace Agreement
-
Establishment of HWPL Peace
day: January 24th
-
Erecting Peace Monument &
Exhibition Hall
-
Peace education to all school
ages
-
WARP Office: Scripture
comparison dialogues
If you want to find more details about the
the peace project in Mindanao, please visit website:
https://www.hwpl.kr/language/en/mindanao-hwpl_en/
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