By Mohammed Naushad Khan
NEW DELHI: HWPL celebrated a decade of dedication to global peace initiatives in 170 countries on September 28 in New Delhi, under the theme “Building a World Peace Community Through Unity in India.” The event highlighted and reflected on the key achievements of the agreements signed ten years ago, which focused on implementing legal frameworks for peace, fostering religious harmony, and promoting collaborative peace activities among state actors and citizens.
Headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) is an international NGO affiliated with UN-ECOSOC. Over the past decade, HWPL has fostered international cooperation for peace, boasting a membership of 500,000 individuals across 170 countries. The organization has initiated numerous peace projects through Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with 1,014 organizations in 105 countries.
Until last year, the event was held exclusively in South Korea. This year marks a historic shift, with regional events taking place in key cities worldwide, including New Delhi, India. Leaders from various states across India gathered to commemorate the peace summit anniversary, which engages social representatives in peace initiatives across different countries. In South Korea, the campaign “Together: Connecting Korea” was officially launched to promote social harmony.
On this occasion, Goswami Sushil Ji Maharaj, the national convenor of the Bhartiya Sarva Dharma Sansad, commended the instrumental role of HWPL’s chairman in promoting peace worldwide. He pointed out that India serves as a leading example of interfaith dialogue and announced the organization of an Interfaith Parliament of All Religions in January, inviting participants from around the globe to join in the promotion of peace.
Bharatiya Sarva Dharma Sansad convener Goswami Sushil Ji Maharaj
Ms. Margaret Rebello, an interfaith leader from Bangalore, India, expressed her heartfelt gratitude on the occasion of HWPL’s 10th anniversary. She stated, “We are here not only to celebrate this milestone but to honor our oneness as a human family. On behalf of the interfaith community, I congratulate its founder and chairman, Lee Man Hee, a Korean war veteran, for embarking on a spiritual journey guided by a divine calling. His clarion call to people of all religions, races, and creeds inspires us to promote peace and harmony, helping to create a legacy of peace for future generations.”
Mr. Pravin H. Parekh, Head of the Confederation of Indian Bar, emphasized the importance of promoting a culture of peace on the global stage and how his partnership with HWPL aligns with India’s development goals. He remarked, “Working with HWPL has been personally meaningful to me. Through our collaboration, I have gained a deeper understanding of peace and played a crucial role in establishing legal foundations to support our shared objectives.”
Harsh Vardhan Umre shared his perspective on the role of youth in achieving peace, stating, “We must look to the youth, who are the torchbearers of peace today. Young people are the architects of a peaceful future, and it is our responsibility to empower and equip them to build a world free from the shadows of war.”
In 2024, HWPL peace education reached a remarkable milestone with the upcoming launch of a joint curriculum titled “Economics of Peace” in collaboration with the MERI Group of Institutions, New Delhi. This university-level, credit-based course will be offered as a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on the MERI website, educating students about the economic factors underlying war and peace.
The event concluded with a signing ceremony for Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with five organizations: All Media Press Association (AMPA) Jammu and Kashmir, Global Indian International School Noida, Nalanda Stupa Buddhism and Research Trust, Ashwaghosh Buddhist Foundation, and the Civil Rights Protection Cell in Nagpur, Maharashtra. This collaboration lays the groundwork for implementing legal instruments to promote peacebuilding.
Chairman Lee Man-Hee of HWPL emphasized the devastating consequences of religious division, urging that religions must lead in fostering dialogue and understanding. “We must work together to create a world of peace and leave it as a legacy for future generations. This is our mission: to be a light that brings life to the global village. Only through love and peace can the world unite,” he stated.
In her welcome address, Diksha Ranjan, General Director of HWPL in India, remarked, “HWPL aims to achieve world peace, which is not an abstract concept but a fundamental right we all deserve and a legacy we must pass on to future generations. It is our shared responsibility and goal. HWPL and its messengers of peace will remain the steadfast roots of this movement, pressing forward without ceasing. Until the day peace becomes our everyday reality, we invite your continued interest and active participation.”
