HWPL 32rd World Peace Tour: Blossoming Peace in Philippines

[HWPL 32^rd  World Peace Tour]

Country visited: Philippines

Period of Stay: Jan. 23^rd ~ Jan. 28^th, 2023

Over the course of three years, the pandemic posed challenges to the international peace efforts of HWPL, which harbored the grand goal of ending wars and fostering a legacy of everlasting peace for future generations. However, amidst the constraints of the pandemic, Lee Man-hee, Chairman of HWPL, diligently nurtured seeds of peace planted across the globe, which gradually flourished through the active engagement of people in online seminars and other activities. In 2023, after the three-year ordeal of the pandemic, Chairman Lee and the peace delegation of HWPL finally embarked on their 32nd World Peace Tour to the Philippines, witnessing the maturity of peace initiatives in the region since the Mindanao Peace Agreement of January 24, 2014.

Image from HWPL Homepage

During their visit, numerous peace events unfolded, including the inauguration of peace monuments. In total, 11 monuments were erected across the Philippines, symbolizing the collective efforts of citizens and governments towards peacebuilding, echoing the sentiments of the "Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War" (DPCW) crafted by international legal experts. The DPCW, advocating for comprehensive and sustainable peace, aligns with Executive Order No. 70 issued by President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos of the Philippines, aiming to institutionalize peace as a national goal. Chairman Lee, present at the inauguration ceremony, emphasized the importance of bequeathing the land of peace to future generations, underscoring the Philippines' exemplary role in this endeavor.

Image from HWPL Homepage

The inaugural Philippines National Peace Conference held in Pasay City on January 25, 2023, convened over 1,500 peace advocates under the theme "Building a Unified Nation through Peace, Building a Unified Future: Peace Starts Here!" This conference, aligned with the agenda of the Marcos administration, aimed to achieve national integration through peace. Participants formulated resolutions in five sessions, culminating in a unified appeal to President Marcos to designate January 24 as the "National Peace Day" or "Truce Day." Chairman Lee urged all Filipinos to embrace their roles as ambassadors of peace, especially in light of Mindanao's journey towards peace after decades of conflict.

Image from HWPL Homepage

Furthermore, on January 26, 2023, the "We Are One Music Peace Festival" was held at Cotabato State University's gymnasium, commemorating the founding anniversary of Bansa Moro. Over 3,000 students from various schools and youth organizations attended, advocating for an end to conflicts worldwide, including the war in Ukraine and Russia.

Image from HWPL Homepage

In conclusion, despite the daunting challenges posed by the pandemic, HWPL's unwavering commitment to peace remained steadfast. Through initiatives like the Philippines peace monuments, national conferences, and cultural events, HWPL continues to sow and nuture the seeds of peace globally, fostering resilience and hope in the face of adversity. As Chairmna Lee Man-hee aptly stated, let us unite our efforts for peace, ensuring a harmonious and prosperous future for all.

Source: 

- https://www.hwpl.kr/language/en/report-of-the-32nd-world-peace-tour/

- https://www.newscj.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=3127107