One Vision, Many Voices: HWPL’s Global Steps Toward Peace
In a time when the world continues to witness division, violence, and environmental crisis, a movement quietly and steadily spreads a different message — one of peace, unity, and hope. The international peace NGO HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light), under the leadership of Chairman Man Hee Lee, is creating ripples of change across continents through grassroots education, interfaith dialogue, and sustainable action.
From the digital classrooms of a global Bible academy to the forests of Mongolia and the shores of Incheon, HWPL’s recent initiatives illustrate how peace is not just a dream, but a collective responsibility.
Building Bridges of Faith: The HWPL Christian Peace Academy
In April 2024, over 600 pastors and Christian leaders from 61 countries gathered online for the HWPL International Christian Peace Academy (ICPA). This two-part series brought together representatives from Anglican, Catholic, Presbyterian, Orthodox, and Shincheonji denominations to share and learn from one another.
The core focus? Bridging doctrinal gaps and fostering unity through the study of Scripture.
With sessions exploring Matthew 24 and Revelation 7, participants engaged in thoughtful presentations and mutual dialogue. As one Korean Baptist pastor reflected, “It was meaningful to see how the same Bible is read and taught in different traditions — and where we actually agree.”
Through this initiative, HWPL is helping to lay a foundation for peace within Christianity, promoting not uniformity, but understanding — the kind that opens the door to cooperation and healing in a divided world.
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Planting Hope: Peace Trees in Mongolia
Peace isn’t only nurtured in words — it’s rooted in action. On May 23, 2024, HWPL’s youth wing, IPYG, led a tree planting campaign in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, marking the 11th anniversary of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW). The project, titled “Youth’s Unity – Green Gateway,” is part of a broader environmental effort to combat desertification in one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries.
So far, over 800 trees have been planted across five locations with the help of 200 youth volunteers. HWPL Mongolia’s chapter has committed to planting and maintaining 3,000 trees by the end of the year — a powerful gesture of harmony between humanity and nature.
“Participating in this campaign gives me hope,” said one young volunteer. “It’s a way of protecting our land and building a peaceful future at the same time.”
Remembering Sacrifice, Committing to Peace: Incheon’s 5.25 Declaration Ceremony
On May 25, 2024, more than 300 citizens and war veterans gathered in Incheon’s Wolmido Park for a solemn commemoration of the DPCW’s 11th anniversary. Hosted in partnership with veteran associations and civic groups, the event was held under the theme: “Peace Born of Sacrifice — A Universal Value Across Time.”
As veterans who once fought in the Korean War looked on, speakers from various religions and sectors reaffirmed their dedication to peace — not only on the Korean peninsula, but worldwide.
“Remembering history must lead us to action,” said one participant. “Peace must not remain in the past — it must be the legacy we pass on.”
The ceremony included the presentation of Peace Appreciation Awards to honor the sacrifices of veterans and a call to continue building a culture of remembrance, unity, and nonviolence.
A Collective Vision, A Shared Journey
From spiritual dialogue to ecological action and intergenerational remembrance, HWPL’s work reflects one unshakable belief: that peace begins with people. With each pastor who seeks unity over division, each tree planted in barren soil, and each citizen who chooses to remember, we take a step closer to a more harmonious world.
Let us not wait for peace to come from above. Let us build it together — voice by voice, hand in hand.
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