[HWPL Peace Education Textbook 10-3] World Peace, the Best Heritage

[HWPL Peace Education Textbook 10 Efforts Towards Preservation of Heritage]

[10-3] World Peace, the Best Heritage

 

◆ Learning Objectives

1. Understand and appreciate the diverse heritage of humanity.

2. Understand the importance of preserving and developing heritage for future generations.

3. Recognize that the greatest heritage is world peace.

 

◆ The Best Legacy We Can Pass Down Is a World of Peace

What Is the Most Needed Heritage for Humanity?

World peace is the fundamental condition for preserving the heritage passed down from our ancestors. It is the greatest legacy we must complete and pass on to future generations. To achieve world peace, we must first embody the spirit of peace ourselves.

Image from Pixabay

Why Korea Seeks to Pass Down World Peace

South Korea is known today for its cultural exports like K-POP and technological advancements in IT, semiconductors, smartphones, and displays. Following the Korean War, South Korea achieved significant economic growth, known as the "Miracle on the Han River," and has become a global economic power with a national income exceeding $30,000. 

However, just over a century ago, Korea was colonized by Japan, which resulted in the looting of important cultural heritage and the suppression of the Korean language. The Provisional Government of Korea, established during this time, fought for independence from abroad.

Over the past century, Korea experienced the pain of invasion and colonial rule, and after liberation, the Korean War led to the loss of millions of lives and countless separated families. Although Korea is still divided, it longs for peace more than any other nation. As the last divided country on Earth, Korea hopes to contribute to world peace through reconciliation and unification. It aspires to become a center for world peace, leaving an eternal legacy for future generations.

Image from Pixabay

World Peace as Humanity’s Eternal Heritage 

The 20th century witnessed the devastation of World War I and World War II, highlighting how difficult it is to preserve heritage and how quickly it can be lost. Heritage is a source of human development and a valuable asset. The greatest cause of heritage loss is war, which also threatens precious lives. Despite benefiting from the heritage passed down by our ancestors, the most crucial heritage—peace—seems to have stagnated.

Wars between countries, religious conflicts, terrorism, and hostile military exercises continue to threaten both heritage and human life. World peace is the most valuable heritage humanity can dream of, embodying the most ideal and beautiful values we aspire to. Peace provides the foundation for cultivating even greater values. Although global society has long desired peace, achieving it remains an unfinished task due to the lag in spiritual culture compared to the rapid development of material culture.

To achieve world peace, we must first become individuals who embody the spirit of peace. Furthermore, we must take ownership of passing peace to future generations and become leaders in spreading a culture of peace. We should advocate for international and national agreements and laws that promote real peace and consistently engage in campaigns and activities to culture peace. Through these efforts, humanity can achieve world peace.

Image from Pixabay

◆ Reflection

1. Discuss why world peace is the best legacy we can leave to future generations.

2. Share and discuss what you can do to help achieve a world of peace.

 

<Chapter 10 Conclusion: Efforts Towards Preservation of Heritage>

The world is home to diverse heritages, each carrying the spirit and love of our ancestors for their descendants. These heritages broaden our perspectives, fostering interest, understanding, and dialogue with other nations, races, cultures, and religions. The heritage we inherit has been preserved and passed down through the efforts of our ancestors. We, too, must engage in meaningful efforts to create a better future for our descendants.

The greatest legacy we can leave to future generations is a world of peace. By embodying the spirit of peace and spreading a culture of peace worldwide, we can gift our descendants the most beautiful heritage—world peace.

Image from Pixabay