HWPL Expands Peace Cooperation Across the Americas, Australia, and Mongolia

As conflicts and violence continue to affect communities worldwide, the Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) is amplifying its global peace initiatives. From the Americas to Australia and Mongolia, HWPL’s latest activities highlight the role of media, religion, and youth in advancing a culture of peace.

Media Alliance for Peace in the Americas

On July 26, 2025, journalists from across the Americas gathered for the Peace Journalists Conference, co-hosted by the Alliance of Journalists for Peace and Conceptos y Soluciones, with support from HWPL.

The conference urged media professionals to move beyond sensationalism focused on violence and instead embrace peace journalism that fosters empathy, understanding, and constructive solutions.

• Erika Hayasaki, professor at the University of California, Irvine, emphasized that journalism must highlight the human voices behind conflicts, citing John Hersey’s book Hiroshima as an example of empathy-driven reporting.

• Derrial Christon (CBS) and Brooke Binkowski (San Diego Times) joined others in stressing the need for ethics, transparency, and independence in reporting.

• Alex Lobato, head of Conceptos y Soluciones in El Salvador, spoke of dramatic national changes, urging the press to share these stories responsibly.

• Journalist Néstor Tobar underlined that the media is “not just an observer but a partner in change.”

Students and young journalists also joined, highlighting the future of peace-oriented reporting. The conference concluded with a joint declaration for “Media for Peace,” affirming a commitment to report with empathy, accuracy, and responsibility.

Religious Leaders Gather in Australia

On August 26, 2025, HWPL hosted the Australia Religious Peace Academy (ARPA) National Forum in Melbourne, both online and offline, under the theme “What is religion, and why is it needed for humanity?”

Representatives of Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, and Christianity gathered to discuss how their traditions can contribute to peaceful societies. Sitting side by side with scriptures and symbols before them, leaders presented and engaged in dialogue marked by mutual respect.

An HWPL representative noted:

“When leaders of different faiths listen and learn from one another, they strengthen the foundation of peaceful society. ARPA is a step toward opening the path of peace for future generations.”

The ARPA initiative is part of HWPL’s International Religious Peace Academy (IRPA), launched in 2014 and active in 128 countries through scripture dialogues facilitated by HWPL’s World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Office (WARP).

Youth Drive Green Peace in Mongolia

Since 2023, HWPL’s youth division, the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), has supported Mongolia’s national “Billion Trees” campaign through its Youth’s Unity – Green Gateway initiative.

The project promotes environmental stewardship as a path to peace, encouraging youth to plant, care for, and protect trees with a sense of long-term responsibility.

• Between 2023 and 2025, more than 2,000 participants from government, NGOs, communities, and schools planted over 8,000 trees of nine species across 21 provinces and 9 districts.

• These efforts greened 40 institutions and 47 households and established five new “Peace Green Groves.”

• IPYG received an official Certificate of Appreciation from Mongolia’s Forestry Agency in August 2025, recognizing its contribution to the nation’s reforestation and peacebuilding efforts.

Going forward, the campaign will continue alongside Mongolia’s national tree-planting days each spring and fall, engaging both public institutions and citizens to expand green spaces across the country.

HWPL’s Global Commitment

Founded by Chairman Man Hee Lee, HWPL is an international peace NGO registered with the UN ECOSOC and the UN Department of Global Communications (DGC). With 115 branches in 122 countries and partnerships with over 800 organizations in 68 nations, HWPL advances peace through law, religion, media, women, youth, and education.

Through its Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), drafted with international law experts in 2016, HWPL continues to call for global unity and the establishment of international legal instruments for lasting peace.

From journalists shaping narratives, to interfaith leaders fostering understanding, to youth greening Mongolia’s future, HWPL’s work shows that peace is built when diverse voices and actions come together.

Source: https://vo.la/8Cg4zul