Spreading Peace Through Education: HWPL’s Growing Global Reach

In a world still haunted by war, division, and inequality, one organization is creating a real ripple of hope: Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL). Led by Chairman Man Hee Lee, this South Korea-based NGO is gaining global recognition for pushing peace education, conflict resolution, and grassroots dialogue into the heart of communities that need it most.

From UNESCO headquarters in Paris to the conflict zones of Mali, HWPL’s peace-building work is not just theoretical—it’s active, strategic, and inclusive.

Peace Education Presented at UNESCO Headquarters

On January 24, 2024, during the International Day of Education at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, HWPL's Peace Education program was spotlighted on the global stage. The event, themed “Reimagining Education: Teachers at the Heart of Transformation for the COVID-19 Generation,” drew 542 educators and stakeholders from 44 countries.

HWPL's peace education curriculum, centered on values like diversity, empathy, forgiveness, and gratitude, was presented by Marion Amoussou from HWPL Côte d'Ivoire. She emphasized that the program is universally applicable and fosters stronger relationships both in homes and schools.

Impressively, HWPL has signed MOUs with 239 schools and universities across Africa, and MOAs with 13 nations including Burkina Faso, Comoros, and Congo. The program isn’t just another idealistic push—it’s being actively integrated into national education strategies.

Educators from France praised the movement. One teacher, Marie Maltinat, called it a “global movement reshaping education,” while Anna Gourdikian, a Paris-based educator with a large online following, said she finally felt “less alone” in her passion to use education for real change.

“We Are One” Project: Grassroots Peace in Mali

In Mali, one of the most conflict-ridden nations in Africa, HWPL launched the “We Are One” (WAO) project in 2021. The initiative brings together civic leaders, local governments, and ordinary citizens to collaboratively build peace from the ground up.

Since 2023, several cities including Gao, Yorosso, and Massina have signed MOUs with HWPL, institutionalizing the WAO project into local policy. Meetings involve everyone—mayors, police chiefs, prison directors, religious leaders—working side-by-side to diagnose and address root causes of conflict such as ethnic division and ignorance of cultural heritage.

Yorosso’s Mayor, Abdoulaye Koïta, described WAO as a “project that builds peace in the hearts of people,” reinforcing the belief that real change begins internally before it manifests externally.

Youth Leading the Way: IPYG and the Javaz Foundation

HWPL’s youth wing, the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), is equally active. Partnering with NGOs like India’s Javaz Education & Welfare Foundation, IPYG empowers young people to take peace into their own hands.

Javaz Foundation focuses on education and women’s rights in underserved Indian communities. Their Director, Ashutosh Arya, delivered a powerful message: “Whatever you do may seem small, but taking action is what counts. Neither money nor material can bring peace—we need courage and purpose.”

The Man Behind the Mission: Chairman Man Hee Lee

At the heart of HWPL’s growing influence is Chairman Man Hee Lee, a Korean War veteran who has seen the cost of conflict firsthand. His belief is simple but radical: peace is not just possible—it’s practical.

Under his leadership, HWPL drafted the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), a proposed legal framework for ending war that has gained support from scholars and diplomats worldwide. Through international forums, MOUs, peace walks, and educational initiatives, Chairman Lee continues to push for a new norm where peace is not an abstract hope, but a collective responsibility.

A Global Movement, Rooted in Action

HWPL’s model is clear: collaborate with governments, empower educators, engage youth, and take action at the community level. Peace isn’t something to be discussed in elite circles—it’s something to be taught, lived, and spread.

From the classrooms of Paris to the streets of Bamako, and through the voices of youth in India, HWPL is proving that “We Are One” isn’t just a slogan—it’s a strategy.

And the world is starting to listen.

Want to know more or get involved? Visit HWPL's website and follow their global journey for peace.

Source: https://shorturl.at/ciKDJ