Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL): A Vision for Lasting Global Peace

Throughout history, humanity has struggled to unite, and wars have continued to ravage the world. The painful cries of people suffering from war still echo across the globe. But in this time of great conflict, there is an organization that stands firm, calling for peace and working towards an end to war. This organization is the Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), a prominent global civil peace organization founded by Lee Man-hee. HWPL has branches in countries across the world, bringing together experts and activists from various fields, including politics, law, religion, education, media, women’s rights, and youth. Their mission is clear: to promote peace and end war.

HWPL’s most notable initiative is the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), a set of international laws created by global experts in international law. This declaration, aimed at achieving permanent global peace, is being actively promoted for adoption by the United Nations (UN). HWPL’s tireless efforts to make peace not only a goal but a reality are inspiring countless individuals and organizations worldwide.

In this post, we will explore the journey of HWPL and its founder, Lee Man-hee, as they continue their quest for a peaceful world, passing on a legacy of peace to future generations.

HWPL’s 7th Anniversary of the DPCW: Celebrating a Global Peace Initiative

In March 2023, HWPL hosted the 7th anniversary of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), celebrated in Seoul, South Korea, as well as in 41 other countries including those in Africa, Europe, North America, and Asia. This significant event saw the participation of over 7,000 people from fields such as politics, law, religion, education, media, women’s rights, and youth. The celebration’s central focus was to share best practices in conflict prevention, resolution, and reconciliation, based on the DPCW, which aims to institutionalize peace as a universal culture and standard.

The DPCW is a crucial tool for HWPL, which views it as a framework for lasting peace, addressing global conflict and advocating for cooperation and dialogue among nations. Nazrul Islam, the Chairman of the Department of Law at Dhaka University, one of the key figures behind the creation of the DPCW, explained that the declaration aims to restore the founding principles of the UN, enhancing universal values and promoting sustainable peace globally. Islam noted that the DPCW outlines specific principles and measures to prevent conflicts, resolve disputes, and maintain peaceful relations among nations. The message is simple yet powerful: end war, foster peace between nations, and promote friendship, prosperity, and happiness for all people, regardless of their backgrounds.

Building Trust and Cooperation for Global Peace

During the anniversary celebrations, Pravin Parekh, the Chairman of the Indian Bar Association, presented the progress made by HWPL in promoting peace globally. Parekh highlighted how HWPL is breaking barriers and overcoming distrust through activities like the Legislative Peace Project (LP Project), religious alliances, and peace education. These initiatives have helped build trust and communication among youth, women, and civil society across the globe.

Myongan, the head monk of the Cheontae Order of Korean Buddhism, also spoke at the event, emphasizing the importance of interfaith dialogue to promote tolerance and understanding among religions. “In today’s world, there are many conflicts and persecutions between different religions. The lack of communication between religious groups is often the root of these conflicts,” he said. He suggested that if people from various faiths came together to discuss and compare their sacred texts, peace would be inevitable. This interfaith dialogue is an essential part of HWPL’s peace-building efforts, showing that religion can be a tool for understanding rather than division.

Taking Action for Global Peace: The Call for an End to the Russia-Ukraine War

The anniversary event also featured a segment focused on Ukraine, where citizens from over 100 countries expressed their support for Ukraine's peace by writing letters to Russian President Vladimir Putin. In these letters, participants called for the complete withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory, denouncing Russia’s invasion as a violation of international law. The letters, which included strong statements like, “Future generations will remember you as the person who sacrificed countless innocent lives,” were sent to Ukraine in solidarity.

The event also featured a peace exhibition, showcasing HWPL’s ongoing peace activities. Attendees were able to see how HWPL’s mission has been realized through various projects, and they had the opportunity to take photos with peace monuments and DPCW clauses at the exhibition’s photo zones. A choir also performed songs of peace, celebrating the achievements of the DPCW.

HWPL’s Call for Global Unity and Peace: A Message from Lee Man-hee

At the heart of the event was the speech delivered by Lee Man-hee, the founder and representative of HWPL, who shared his personal experiences as a Korean War (6.25) veteran. He spoke from the heart about the brutal realities of war and how these experiences shaped his dedication to peace. He passionately urged that peace should be the legacy passed down to future generations.

In his speech, Lee emphasized that no one hates peace, and thus it is essential that all people work together to make the world a peaceful place. He shared that peace cannot be achieved alone, and it is only when we treat each other like one family—loving and caring for our neighbors—that war and conflict will end. He further explained that true peace begins in the home, and children must be taught about peace from an early age in schools and at home. “If we all become peace messengers,” Lee concluded, “we can make peace a reality.”

Lee also pointed out the failures of current international laws to prevent war, citing Russia's aggression as an example of the inability of international institutions like the UN to stop violence. He made it clear that the DPCW is a reformative measure that aims to strengthen and transform existing international laws to prevent war and promote lasting peace.

The Call for Action: Building a Peaceful World

The HWPL event was a powerful reminder of the urgent need to promote peace, not just as an abstract concept but as a concrete and achievable goal. Through global cooperation, interfaith dialogue, and the implementation of the DPCW, HWPL is making significant strides in building a world where peace is not only a dream but a reality.

In closing, Lee Man-hee’s words resounded as a call to action: “It is time to make peace a reality. Let us all become peacebuilders, starting from our homes and schools, and let us teach the world to live together in peace.”

HWPL’s work continues, and its message is clear—global peace is within our reach if we all take responsibility and work together.