[The Path of Peace - Ep. 10] Waking the Americas: Bringing the Answer for Peace to the United States and Mexico

What inspires municipal governments and international diplomats to join a unified movement for global peace?

From May 14 to 24, 2014, HWPL Chairman Man-hee Lee and the peace delegation embarked on the 10th World Peace Tour, spanning major diplomatic hubs in the United States—New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles—as well as Veracruz, Mexico. Throughout this 10-day tour, Chairman Lee called upon diplomats, municipal authorities, religious figures, and youth networks to strengthen international solidarity for conflict resolution and build momentum for the upcoming World Alliance of Religions' Peace (WARP) Summit in Seoul.

Diplomatic Dialogues in New York and Washington, D.C.

The tour commenced on May 15, 2014, in New York at the World Peace Religious Conference and the World Peace Ambassadors Conference, bringing together UN member state representatives, interfaith leaders, and youth delegates.

Chairman Lee emphasized that sustainable peace requires concrete mechanisms rather than symbolic rhetoric, introducing HWPL's vision for cultural and legal transformation to prevent war.

On May 16, addressing the International Leaders Peace Seminar at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C., Chairman Lee highlighted the imperative of protecting youth from armed conflict:

"When wars break out, who fights on the front lines? It is the youth. Have they ever been properly compensated for their sacrifice? We must stand up to protect our youth."

Following the seminar, attendees signed peace agreements pledging support for a world free of war. Chairman Lee also conducted bilateral meetings with diplomatic officials, including Nguyen Huy Dung (Deputy Chief of Mission at the Vietnamese Embassy) and Elmer Cato (Minister and Consul General at the Philippine Embassy), who expressed gratitude for HWPL's peace initiatives in Mindanao.

Special State Reception and Honors in Veracruz, Mexico

The delegation then traveled to Veracruz, marking Chairman Lee's second visit to Mexico following the 7th World Peace Tour in November 2013.

On May 20, during a formal session at Veracruz City Hall, Mayor Ramón Poo Gil presented Chairman Lee with an official Certificate of Commendation and a Medal of Honor, extending state-level hospitality to the delegation. The ceremony was attended by over 500 government officials, political figures, and community leaders, alongside coverage from 28 Mexican media outlets.

The commendation noted:

"On behalf of the citizens of Veracruz—the gateway between the Americas and Western culture—we express our deepest gratitude for your outstanding international work to achieve global peace."

During his visit to Veracruz, Chairman Lee also conducted peace seminars at local academic institutions, including Christopher Columbus University and Boca del Río Technological Institute, emphasizing the role of peace education in transforming societal values.

Galvanizing Solidarity in Los Angeles

The 10th World Peace Tour concluded at the Carson Community Center in Los Angeles on May 22, where over 1,000 leaders across political, religious, youth, and women's sectors gathered for the LA Peace Conference.

Calling for unity beyond national, religious, and cultural boundaries, Chairman Lee addressed the assembly:

"Why do we divide ourselves by borders, religions, races, or ideologies? We must become one for peace."

Following the conference, civic and religious leaders presented Chairman Lee with plaques of appreciation and signed agreements committing to active participation in global peacebuilding.

By engaging diplomats in Washington, municipal leaders in Mexico, and civic networks in Los Angeles, the 10th World Peace Tour further solidified a global coalition dedicated to ending war and fostering international harmony.

Source: https://tinyurl.com/ymuuwdmu