A Woman Captured by Islamic State, kept her faith in God, with a Lucky Escape - Let's Bring an End to War Crimes

To help prevent these kind of atrocities, shouldn't we support the work that will eliminate all war which leads to war crimes?

This is what you can do to help....

[I ♡ HWPL Peace Declaration Day Campaign]

This year, on March 14, the Declaration on the Cessation of War and Achievement of World Peace, the one that will draw a new framework for an international law leading to global peace, will be publicly presented.
To that end, with an earnest heart for peace to become a reality, HWPL is launching an online campaign:

1. Purpose
To promote the ‘Proclamation Ceremony of the Declaration on the Cessation of War and Achievement of World Peace’ on March 14, 2016 through various online platforms

2. How to join the campaign?
1) Add HWPL as a friend in your online platform (Facebook, Instagram, Line, etc.)

2) Post this image on your SNS to support the Declaration on the Cessation of War and Achievement of World Peace

3) Tell your friends to join this campaign by sharing the image
To both those who are attending the ceremony and those who are not, let us gather our hearts longing for peace together and participate in the campaign, I ♡ HWPL Peace Declaration Day Campaign

Through a simple action, this small movement will become an opportunity to let the world know that peace is not really a distant dream.

Thank you.

*Various online platforms to interact with and support HWPL’s international peace law initiative
1. Official Website
http://peacelaw.org/
2. HWPL International Law Blog
http://blog.hwpl.kr
3. HWPL Facebook official Webpage
https://www.facebook.com/hwpl.kr/
4. HWPL Instagram Official Webpage
https://www.instagram.com/hwpl/
5. HWPL Line Friends (Android/iphone App)
http://line.me/ti/p/%40sto1531f
(Open the Line App - Search - Put “@hwpl” and add as friend)
6. Weibo (Chinese)
http://weibo.com/HWPLcn?is_hot=1
7. Twitter
http://twitter.com/hwpl_kr



*If you have a different SNS account other than what is listed above, please let us know by emailing us to pr_hq@hwpl.kr

Let's become a Global Family who can Support the Work of Peace

[I ♡ HWPL Peace Declaration Day Campaign]

To everyone who loves peace,
Greetings from HWPL
What will you do on March 14?
This year, on March 14, the Declaration on the Cessation of War and Achievement of World Peace, the one that will draw a new framework for an international law leading to global peace, will be publicly presented.
To that end, with an earnest heart for peace to become a reality, HWPL is launching an online campaign:

I ♡ HWPL Peace Declaration Day Campaign
1. Purpose
To promote the ‘Proclamation Ceremony of the Declaration on the Cessation of War and Achievement of World Peace’ on March 14, 2016 through various online platforms
2. How to join the campaign?
1) Add HWPL as a friend in your online platform (Facebook, Instagram, Line, etc.)
2) Post this image on your SNS to support the Declaration on the Cessation of War and Achievement of World Peace
3) Tell your friends to join this campaign by sharing the image
To both those who are attending the ceremony and those who are not, let us gather our hearts longing for peace together and participate in the campaign, I ♡ HWPL Peace Declaration Day Campaign
Through a simple action, this small movement will become an opportunity to let the world know that peace is not really a distant dream.
Thank you.

*Various online platforms to interact with and support HWPL’s international peace law initiative
1. Official Website
http://peacelaw.org/
2. HWPL International Law Blog
http://blog.hwpl.kr
3. HWPL Facebook official  Webpage
https://www.facebook.com/hwpl.kr/
4. HWPL Instagram Official  Webpage
https://www.instagram.com/hwpl/
5. HWPL Line Friends (Android/iphone App)
http://line.me/ti/p/%40sto1531f
(Open the Line App  - Search - Put “@hwpl”  and add as friend)
6. Weibo (Chinese)
http://weibo.com/HWPLcn?is_hot=1
7. Twitter
http://twitter.com/hwpl_kr
*If you have a different SNS account other than what is listed above, please let us know by emailing us to pr_hq@hwpl.kr

Chairman Lee’s visit to the Maguindanao, Philippines inspires continuity for a genuine and lasting peace

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

FUNDAY FRIDAY: A Heavenly Culture and New Perspective - World Peace

Culture and Perspective : what shapes your vision of the future?

Take a moment to have a look at the following image below and decide which line you think is longer:

Guess what?

They are the same length!

People in western societies tend to perceive the first line as being longer even though they are the same length. 
However if you come from a culture that does not use right angles (non carpentered cultures) you would not be fooled by such an illusion.

What can you see here?

Let me know your thoughts and comment below – what did you see?

Some may see a saxophone player others may be a woman.

When I looked at this picture, even though I am a woman, the first thing I saw was a saxophone player but almost instantly my perspective changed and I saw a woman.  Could this be because I love music, perhaps?

Apparently our culture, the way we were brought up and our way of life effects the way we perceive the world - something I feel - could be explored a bit deeper.

If we consider the American and western cultures for example, where individualism is buoyant, this could explain why understanding another person’s point of view can be somewhat challenging in an environment that value independence and self-reliance and advocate that interests of the individual should achieve precedence over the state or a social group.

However the eastern cultures, such as China, Korea or Japan, who encourage a collectivist attitude amongst its peers, a community that share and collaborate we can see a more proficient understanding and ability to formulate another person’s perspective, recently discovered by scientists.

Boaz Keysar, a Professor of Psychology at the University of Chicago said:

“Many actions and words have multiple meanings. In order to sort out what a person really means, we need to gain some perspective on what he or she might be thinking and, Americans for example, who don’t have that skill very well developed, probably tend to make more errors in understanding what another person means,”

Without pointing a critical finger at Americans in particular, I would like to make the point that this goes for many cultures around the world that encourage, materialism, individualism and secularism of thought in an attempt to be liberated. 

Concerning the topic of peace, this can prove problematic in establishing peace when there are so many individual ideologies, separate goals, past experiences and different cultures which hinder the vision of peace becoming a possibility. It is not that peace is impossible; it’s just that the fact that no one has experienced it before in the history of our existence, blocks the view of seeing it become a reality. The greed of man could also play a big part to all this.

It takes a special individual to remove the tinted sunglasses of cultural and individual boundaries to see our world in beautiful HD and to be able to unite a world to support a peaceful existence.

Martin Luther King, Mahatma Ghandi, Mother Teresa and the late Nelson Mandela were all inspirational individuals who were able to take off the limitations of their tradition, circumstances and experiences to see the world as a place of freedom, love and hope.

Today, Chairman Lee of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) and Chairwoman Kim of International Women's Peace Group (IWPG), are working to unite North and South Korea - a country divided since 1945 by Russia and America who conquered the Japanese rule.  They persistently share the love and hope of a peaceful future which we should all strive for despite the past suffering from the atrocities of war, the loss of homes, family and even the Korean culture – whilst under the Japanese rule.

Heavenly Culture - what does this mean? Chairman Lee is working under the culture of heaven - knowing that this culture has no limitations to the mind and thought of man. The fact is, Chairman Lee is spreading the message of unconditional love and respect that he strives to bestow upon the leaders, women and youth – whoever he meets around the world; just like the light, rain and air of the heavens have graciously given to mankind, without favour of persons, so does the peace messenger also by the same principle, bring peace to fruition and restore the light of hope in man.

Can we be those who do not rely on our past experiences but live in the reality of the good work that is happening today?

 Please click the link below to read more of the latest news from this phenomenal movement that is affecting the world.

Exclusive Interview with Peace Advocate Mr. Man Hee Lee and IWPG Leader Ms. Nam Hee Kim Presented by News 24 of Albania

Tirana, Albania - On their 22^nd world peace tour, Mr, Man Hee Lee, Chairman of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) and Ms. Nam Hee Kim, Chairwoman of the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) visited Albania to meet international heads of states, religious leaders, media, and youth to speak on the urgency of a united global commitment for HWPL’s two initiatives: an International Convention on the Renunciation and Cessation of War and International Armed Conflicts and an alliance of religions through its WARP Peace Offices.

December 9^th at 6:30 p.m., (local time), News 24, Albania’s first and top rated 24-hour news channel, invited the two chairpersons to its studio to cover an exclusive and in-depth interview on their peace initiatives. Mr. Rezar Xhaxhiu, an editor in chief and journalist at TV News 24, hosted the interview.

Click the link below to watch the full interview

Xhaxhiu: What are the objectives of HWPL, and what approach does it take to solve pressing issues in the world? 

Lee: We, HWPL, have been doing the work of peace with definite solutions that will put an end to all wars around the world and leave a legacy of world peace to our future generations. Having the enactment of the International Convention on the Renunciation and Cessation of War and International Armed Conflicts and networking to build a strong alliance of religions are the two main solutions to bring about peace. To accomplish such initiatives, HWPL invited and appointed experts in international law as the HWPL International Law Peace Committee at the 1^st Annual Commemoration of World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Summit. Recently, we presented the revised draft of the Convention in London, UK. Religious leaders around the world are actively undertaking the interfaith peace dialogue based on scriptures through the WARP Office meetings. While in their pursuit, many religious leaders are deepening their understanding and learning through comparing and contrasting the texts respectively. It is truly remarkable to see the progress. To build a strong alliance of religions, one needs to truly act upon what he or she pledged. 80% of on-going wars can be linked to religious conflicts, only when the scriptures are unified can religions be united as one and extinguish these conflicts. Then, we can truly say that we have built an alliance of religions.

Xhaxhiu: What work do IWPG and IPYG carry out for peace?

Kim: One of the practical solutions to world peace that Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL presented was to have the enactment of the International Convention on Renunciation and Cessation of War and International Armed Conflicts. For this, all members of IWPG based on regional offices in worldwide are actively collaborating to build peace network with NGOs in pursuit of peace. Once the Convention is implemented, IWPG members in each state will stand and speak out to urge current heads of state to abide by the provisions of the Convention and actively support and put to practice its provisions for their people and nation. During the May 25^th Peace walk, Chairman Lee proclaimed the Declaration of World Peace in front of 30,000 youths at peace plaza of the Republic of Korea. Since that time IPYG members around the world gather on May 25^th each year to commemorate the proclamation and support HWPL’s work of peace. The members of IPYG and IWPG aim to serve as the two wings of HWPL to soar high in leading the implementation process of the International Convention.

Xhaxhiu: What are the main driving forces for bringing world peace?

Lee: “It is possible when you act! It remained an impossible task because we didn’t act!” There have been countless organizations and people in pursuit of world peace in the history of mankind, who received Nobel Peace prizes and yet we still live in the world flooded by violence and war. I have been meeting with current and former presidents, chief justices of the Supreme Court, religious leaders and leaders of NGOs to present definite solutions to establish world peace. Then, I shared this with media to inform people of all nations what we pledged during our meetings. If media and journalists frequently cover such good news, peace will prevail sooner. To all journalists and reporters in the world, I kindly ask you to do your best and carry out your responsibility to report news on peace work frequently and accurately. Let us become the messengers of peace, transcending all nationalities, ethnicities, and religions.

Xhaxhiu: What differentiates peace movements led by HWPL from other peace activities?

 Kim: After sharing how tirelessly Chairman Lee pursues to present practical solutions for world peace and what has been accomplished in every corner of the world, we have convinced many that we can certainly greet an era of peace in our lifetime. Many are eagerly expressing their willingness to join the work of peace with us. Indeed, all of our efforts and dedication have been completed and are being carried out exactly as we suggested and presented to the international community. IWPG and IPYG are setting the foundations for HWPL as the two wings that rally and educate women and youth, who are the task force of the work of establishing peace, of their roles in this generation. That is the most distinguishable feature of our work.

Braveheart - for Peace in a World that Fights for War

One of my favourite films, namely for the courageous, bold and valiant elements, but also the fight for freedom which I have no doubt many of you share the desire to have -  true freedom.

What is true freedom?

The plot of the story was set around a 13th-century Scottish warrior who led the Scots in to the First War of Scottish Independence against King Edward I of England.

When we think of how the relationship between Scotland and England is today was that war successful in achieving full independence from the UK?

I beg the question, as I watch scenes of violence, was it worth sacrificing so many lives in bloodshed to achieve freedom. True freedom can only truly exist when there is peace, because when there is peace there is harmony. Surely, war breeds more war in retaliation for the grievance of the lives lost.

One of my favourite quotes during this film is:

William Wallace: There's a difference between us. You think the people of this country exist to provide you with position. I think your position exists to provide those people with freedom. And I go to make sure that they have it.Wouldn’t it be amazing if politicians and leaders of nations would stand up and speak like this on behalf of their nation?

How proud would you be to support such a person?

Granted, in this film there is just as much gore as there is the fight for freedom, which somehow creates justification in the mind of the viewer for the act of war, however could there have been another way, to achieve the same result?

The next quote in this film, I just love:

Young William: I can fight.
Malcolm Wallace: I know. I know you can fight. But it's our wits that make us men.

Today, the valiant warrior of our time who is fighting for true freedom for the world is Chairman Lee, leader of the peace movement Heavenly Culture World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), which is sweeping across the globe.

Chairman Lee works to establish unity and is actively working to unite both North and South Korea, the country in which he was born.



You can find more information on the websites below and please join the world changing movement today.

Please join the movement and together, lets become true messengers of peace.

Click links below to join: 

To end all war is to enter a new era of peace – Chairman Man Hee Lee leads the way to this New World

In the past year we have seen the cause and effect of the chaotic thinking, leading to terror attacks, as a result of the misunderstanding of religion from the youth of today who are carrying the fatal ideology that radical thinking is the only answer to create justice.

What a waste of lives and a sad testament to the current state of the world which desperately needs an answer to reverse the snowball effect of war, political strategies created based on the motivation of money.

I am pleased to suggest that it is not all doom and gloom there is - what I feel - a hopeful news of a large global movement lead by peace advocate Chairman Lee of Heavenly Culture World Peace Restoration of Light (HWPL) who is working tirelessly to heal the wounds of war with an answer that breaks the cycle of endless retaliation.

 10^th December 2015 saw the opening of a dialogue between Chairman Lee and thirteen Chief Justices of the Supreme Court of Kosovo, including, Chief Justice Fejzullah Hasani, Justice Nesrin Lushta, presider of the meeting, and Justice Shukri Sylejmani. The “Advocation of the International Convention on the Cessation of War and International Armed Conflicts”, was called to further the work of peace by the enactment of an International Law for the cessation of war, which received the 2^nd draft amendment during the Chairman’s visit to London in November 2015.

The purpose of the International Law is to end all war, which will effectively make war illegal around the world. Currently there are many heads of states and former heads of states, supporting this new law and ushering the enactment of this law by signing agreements to uphold the conditions of the law when it is enacted.

During the visit to Kosovo Chairman Lee and Ms Kim Nam Hee of International Women's Peace Group (IWPG) met with President Atifete Jahjaga, the first female President of Kosovo and appealed to President Jahjaga to motivate women and youth in Kosovo to participate in the peace activities of Heavenly Culture World Peace Restoration of Light (HWPL). The International Convention was driven by the marginalized voices of women and youth worldwide.

In Kim Nam Hee’s address she said,

 “Ongoing terrorist attacks and civil wars throughout the world can be resolved by gathering strength and support from each country’s women and youth. What terrifies us the most is not the wars that we experienced in the past, but the ones we are still to experience. What terrifies us is the fact that our children may encounter the same suffering and pains.”

Chairman Lee who carries, the voice for the voiceless, made a case for us as the people subject to these laws by saying, 

“When we speak of democracy, whom does it represent? Aren’t the citizens the face of democracy?” He continued, “If leaders are only trying to maintain their power, we face authoritarianism in the name of democracy. We, the citizens of this globe, must urge them to pursue true democracy. People are the owners of democracy.”

In light of these words and heartfelt cry from both Chairwoman Kim and Chairman Lee representatives of two leading global organisations simply compels me to move to support this work; a worthy cause that is set to make a real difference to the way war is used as a wielded weapon to suppress countries and nations subject to its destructive nature.

To join the Global movement please Click links below: 

IWPG Women of the World - the Tools that can Help Create a World of Peace

It was announced in October last year that the UN would like to work towards doubling the role women play in peace building operations over next five years.  

A commitment was made by the United Nations, the United Kingdom and other governments to promote the rights and roles of women and girls in conflict, yet have they been able to fulfil these promises when there is such a lack in of resources and political will worldwide?

The UK Government have outlined their intention to put women and girls at the centre of all our efforts to prevent and resolve conflict, to promote peace and stability, and to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls.

What role do women have in creating peace?

History shows us that women have played a critical role in facilitating reconciliation efforts and secured formal roles that allowed them to participate in mitigating the Liberian civil war as it intensified, by confronting rebels directly, while also arranging meetings between Charles Taylor and the leaders of peace building groups. 

Efforts such as this have provided women with a reputation as objective mediators leading to the success of the signing of the 2003 Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement by the warring factions, political parties, and civil society which was able to establish the National Transitional Government of Liberia, whose primary task was to prepare the country for presidential and parliamentary elections in October 2005.

So what are women doing around the world?

IWPG - International Women's Peace Group gather 10,000 Indian Women who are shouting for Human Rights and Peace.

The year of 2015 was concluded with an unprecedented IWPG Network event at a Women's University in Kanyakumari District, India.  10,000 women of India pledged to support the movement led by (IWPG) International Women's Peace Group, Chairwoman Nam Hee Kim to urge for the enactment of an international convention for the cessation of wars and to join the organisation's work for the empowerment of women and world peace.

18 December, 2015  - The 2015 IWPG Network India was held at the Women's Christian College, Nagercoil in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India.

• Participating women leaders from the districts of Tamil Nadu, and from the states of Odisha, Maharashtra, Kerala who discussed women's role in empowering women and achieving peace. Hon. District Collector, the Superintendent of Police, the Additional Director for Rural Development Tamil Nadu Government, and the Principal of WCC delivered keynote addresses.
•  200 female university students from Kanyakumari gave performances for peace and received ovations from the audience. IWPG appointed 41 members of the peace committee, advisors, and peace ambassadors.
• A large gathering of hearts for peace walk across downtown Kanyakumari.

Please see more details here: Press Release

Nam Hee Kim, the chairwoman of IWPG said in her video message:

"Though women in India are struggling with India's custom and social norms, I believe those struggles are what we go through on the way to becoming agents of peace. Now it is the time to show the true potential of Indian women," were the words of Chairwoman Kim Nam Hee.

In his congratulatory message, Man Hee Lee, the chairman of HWPL said, 

"the entire the global village must join one another to leave a peaceful world as a legacy for our future generations." He added, "When all women of India work for peace, that will make the world anew."

To join this wonderful work of peace in a global movement that is bridging the gap of division and breaking boundaries - please click the links below.

UK Women and Youth gather to support the International Convention on the Cessation of War

London, UK - On 13 November 2015, the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) hosted the ‘IWPG Peace Forum’ to urge the implementation of the International Convention on the Cessation of War and Achievement of World Peace at Clothworkers’ Hall in London. The Forum mainly discussed the role of women in the implementation of the International Convention and was attended by numerous women leaders.

“Only when we become one in heart and gather our efforts to urge for peace, we can do so much more than we do separately,” said Ms. Nam Hee Kim, Chairwoman of the IWPG. She underlined the integral role youth and women play in achieving peace. “When we raise active awareness on how crucial the implementation of the Convention on the Cessation of Wars is, this initiative will be unstoppable by any forms of authority or wealth. Let us all become messengers of peace and speak up for the implementation of the Convention in one voice.”

The IWPG Peace Forum was followed by a Media Conference where journalists from well-known media organizations, such as Saudi TV, Islam Channel and Arab Telegraph, attended. The conference provided an opportunity to explore peace campaigns and projects that Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) and the IWPG have initiated. Six journalists and four women leaders were appointed as HWPL Publicity Ambassadors, pledging to accurately and widely report on the work of peace. 

On 15 November 2015, at the University of Oxford, HWPL Chairman, Mr. Man Hee Lee delivered a closing speech at the Model United Nations (MUN) conference, underling the significant role youth of this generation can play. “If we wish to permanently end all wars and armed conflicts, youth and woman should act as watchmen of each state, overseeing the progress of the International Convention on the Cessation of War to ensure global peace.” This year's Oxford International MUN was the largest and most prestigious conference where key world issues were discussed and participants could listen to illustrious guest speakers from across the globe.

Having encountered the harsh realities of war crimes against youth first hand, Chairman Lee strongly appealed to the audience and all individuals - “Even before their precious lives fully blossom and receive proper education, should youth ever be forcibly taken away from their mothers and be trained and used as tools to satisfy the greed of others? We must compensate for the lives lost in the midst of all conflicts by providing access to education, especially regarding various peace initiatives to those who are still forced to carry out non-peaceful activities in the world.”

Prior to the events above, Chairman Lee and the HWPL Peace Delegation met with HWPL International Law Peace Committee members and renowned international law scholars to discuss the 2^nd draft of the International Convention on the Cessation of War and International Armed Conflicts, the core initiative of HWPL.

HWPL one of the biggest international non-governmental organizations, has played a decisive role in ending numerous civil conflicts by Peace Agreements. The organization hosted the 1^st Annual Commemoration of the World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Summit in September 2015, which provided a platform to present the 1^st draft of the Convention on the Cessation of War and International Armed Conflicts through its International Law Peace Committee. Leaders from around the world are helping to accelerate the implementation of the Convention.

The IWPG is an international women’s peace organization actively working with over 700,000 members from 179 branches in 40 countries worldwide. As an active supporting organization of HWPL’s peace movement, the IWPG is currently leading the way to support women’s peace activities worldwide, including various volunteer services, academic education, and cultural and artistic exchanges.