In a world filled with conflict, one organization has been tirelessly working to change the situation toward global harmony. Last September 18th, 2024, the Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) celebrated its 10th anniversary with ceremonies in 122 countries around the world commemorating a decade of tireless efforts towards achieving world peace.
The Peace Leader Behind the Movement
Leading the Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) in the decade of peace initiatives is Chairman Lee Man-hee, a 93-year-old peace messenger whose dedication knows no bounds. Over the past ten years, Chairman Lee has circumnavigated the globe 32 times, visiting 52 countries and securing countless peace agreements with world leaders. His commitment to peace is deeply rooted in his experiences as a Korean War veteran, driving him to prevent future generations from enduring similar hardships.
Photo: Chairman Lee Man-he
Chairman Lee Man-hee’s message resonates clearly: “Countless young people have been sacrificed in wars. How long must this continue? Peace cannot be achieved through words alone. Let us leave peace as a legacy for the world.” This sentiment continues to fuel HWPL’s initiatives even a decade after its inception.
From Conflict to Concord: The Mindanao Miracle
One of HWPL’s most significant achievements came just a year after its founding. In 2014, Chairman Lee Man-hee visited Mindanao, Philippines, Southeast Asia’s largest conflict zone. The region had endured 40 years of bloody strife, resulting in 120,000 deaths and 2 million refugees. Against all odds, Lee successfully mediated a peace agreement between Catholic and Islamic leaders, leading to an agreement of reconciliation and peace.
The impact of this agreement rippled across the world. Peace schools were established at Mar Elias Educational Institutions in Israel, and a world peace monument was erected at a Moro Islamic Liberation Front base. Peace education programs are also being conducted globally, and in 2024, Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) trained peace educators and held graduation ceremonies for peace teachers from countries including Colombia, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan
Local media also praised this unprecedented achievement, and a documentary titled “The Great Legacy,” which was screened in 197 locations globally in 2022, captured the peace journey in Mindanao.
The Declaration that Could Reshape Global Peace
Photo courtesy of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL)
Aside from resolving the conflict in Mindanao, another crowning achievement for HWPL is the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW). This comprehensive document comprises ten articles and 38 clauses and provides a practical framework for preventing, responding to, and resolving global conflicts. It involves governments, international organizations, and civil society in its approach.
Countries like Seychelles, Eswatini, Comoros, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have officially endorsed it. At the same time, in 2016, the Central American Parliament passed a resolution supporting the DPCW.
Meanwhile, in 2018, the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) of the African Union (AU), representing 55 member states, officially also supported the DPCW and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with HWPL. The organization is actively developing the DPCW into binding international law and plans to present it as a resolution to the UN General Assembly.
A Growing Global Movement
As Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) entered its tenth anniversary, its influence continued to expand exponentially. The organization now boasts around 500,000 members from 170 countries, with 100,000 new members joining in the past year alone. HWPL has signed over 1,014 MOAs and MOUs with 105 countries, including partnerships with the Baltic-Black Sea Council, the Philippines Commission on Higher Education, and the UNESCO National Commission of Kenya.
In addition, the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), a subgroup of HWPL, has become the world’s largest youth peace organization. It now includes over 1,200 organizations from 119 countries, demonstrating the power of engaging young people in the peace process.
A Decade of Dedication, A Future of Hope
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) reflects on its achievements while looking forward to future challenges. Through the annual HWPL 9.18 World Peace Summits, Chairman Lee Man-hee maintains constant dialogue with global partners, positioning HWPL’s peace movement as a significant issue in international society.
The story of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) is an example of dedication and the potential for positive change on a global scale. As the organization moves forward, it carries with it the hopes of millions for a more peaceful world – a world where, as Chairman Lee envisions, peace is not just a dream but a lasting legacy for future generations.
