HWPL Newsletter 2017 June

HWPL NEWS
Monthly Newsletter of
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light
2017.06
No. 26
˙The 4th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace
˙The World’s Greatest Online Participation for Peace
˙International Media widely covers the 525 Peace Walk

2 JUNE 2017 HWPL NEWS
Overview
of the 4th Annual Commemoration of
the Declaration of World Peace
Number of
Participants
~99 ~499 ~999 1,000~

JUNE 2017 HWPL NEWS 3
During the designated days in May this year, global youth walked together for the same purpose – peace and
cessation of war as part of the 4th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace. With the theme
of “Talk Walk to Prevent Violent Extremism”, co-hosted and endorsed by international NGOs and local organ-
izations worldwide, citizens in 98 cities around the world actively engaged in this peace campaign to advocate
civic awareness and voluntary participation in sustainable efforts of peace building. The spirit embedded in the
Declaration of World Peace has become a seed sown in the hearts of the world’s youth that has blossomed into
the value of becoming “active proponents of achieving peace”.
Total
41Countries
98Cities
107Ceremonies
100,000Participants
(As of 22.06.2017)
Top 10 Countries
with the Greatest Number of
Participants
South Korea
South Sudan
Bangladesh
China
Thailand
India
Butan
Indonesia
U.S.A.
South Africa

A total of over 1,500 participants from America, Canada, El Salvador, and Guatemala participated in the 4th Annu-
al Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace as well as the Peace Walk that followed. Transcending the
boundaries between different languages, ethnicities, and cultures, participants walked together with one voice
and one step, realizing the true culture of peace.
Americas
The 4th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace
Together by acting in peaceful ways we have the ability
to tackle our differences without being violent.

The United States of America,
the Land of Freedom becomes the Land of Peace and Harmony
New York
“Let us all become Ambassa-
dors of Peace”
Civil society groups and the Unit-
ed Nations have generated great
cooperation for peace. The 525
Peace Walk held at the Dag Ham-
marskjold Plaza, New York gath-
ered many youth and civil par-
ticipants as well as prominent
UN representatives to advocate
having citizens become Peace
Ambassadors in their respective
communities.
H.E. Lot Dzonzi, Malawi Depu-
ty Permanent Representative
to the UN, addressed the audi-
ence during his congratulatory
message saying, “I believe the
role of youth is very important
in the achievement of world
peace…We must overcome our
differences, beliefs, values, rac-
es, philosophies and prevent
from those aspects becoming a
source for war. Together by act-
ing in peaceful ways we have the
ability to tackle our differences
without being violent. Our ca-
pacity to love one another is tre-
mendous. Living in harmony is
the only way in which we can live
in a peaceful world.”
Los Angeles
Feeling youthful!
Ruben Mata, founder of STAND
Development Training and Pub-
licity Ambassador of HWPL,
streamed a live video on his
Facebook while participating
in the peace walk in downtown
Fullerton, Los Angeles. When
asked how he felt being there
surrounded by the culture of
peace, he answered, “To see the
energy, to feel the love, and the
open heart of each individual,
that is what we are here for. It’s
just having a whole group of in-
dividuals that are feeling youth-
ful…From different areas of the
world, we are here today to cre-
ate peace.”
Washington D.C.
Small example to the world of
peace
Joy Malabanti, a volunteer who
participated in the Washington
D.C. peace walk said in an inter-
view, “D.C. is a diverse communi-
ty where everyone from around
the world comes. I believe if D.C.
incorporates these ideas we
could be a small example to the
world of what it means to have
peace. In order for our world to
move in that direction I believe
we need someone who can actu-
ally tangibly show us how to at-
tain peace, not just talk about it.
HWPL and events like this peace
walk give me hope that a real
solution is possible.”

The vast expanse of the African continent was full of the vibrant energy of peace as well. Unique African cultural
features were highlighted during various performances and walks. The scorching heat didn’t stop the partici-
pants from coming out to the street to walk together for peace.
Africa

South Africa: Bursting into Peace
On 26 May, 1,000 youth were gathered at the Civic Centre, Albert Luthuli Plaza in Cape Town to celebrate the 4th
Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace and Africa Day. A performance entitled “Transforming Weap-
ons into Beneficial Tools” as well as a Balloon Performance attracted citizens to unite together for peace.
At the event, Mzwakhe Nqavashe, Chairperson of Portfolio: Safety and Social Services of the City Council, stated,
“There is a certain power that youth hold, a power to move hearts and
change the direction of history, the power of faith and the power of
hope. Working with IPYG I have gained much hope, and through our re-
cent Peace Initiative together in Gugulethu converting an old field into a
peace zone, I have seen a rare thing. Young people from all walks of life,
transcending religion, race and ethnicity and holding hands to create
something beautiful. I have no doubt that if the youth all around Cape
Town can join in similar initiatives, we can change this city forever.”
Mzwakhe Nqavashe Chairperson of Portfolio:
Safety and Social Services of the City Council

Nine countries across the European continent, including the U.K., Germany, France, Spain, and the Czech Re-
public, participated in this year’s commemorative event. HWPL’s cooperative peace activities in Europe have
been growing exponentially recently, allowing citizens to experience the Talk Walk campaign to prevent violent
extremism.
Europe
It is necessary to talk to each other and HWPL and
IPYG can make it possible.

On the 27th of May, the 4th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace and Peace Walk was held
at Romer Plaza and Willy-Brandy Plaza in Frankfurt, Germany. Along with culture events including face-painting,
a flash mob, and a drum performance, a questionnaire on the “prevention of violent extremism” was conducted
to allow participants to reflect on the necessity of peace in our current time. Citizens’ participation in the peace
walk showed their commitment to peacebuilding that overcomes conflicts.
Frankfurt is Colored by Peace
Gernot Lennert, the DFG-VK, Research Director, said,
Kristina, a participant in the event, said, “The most impressive part was the experience zone of extremism. It is
very sensitive issue, so people generally do not want to talk about it. This event offered a chance to talk about it.
It is necessary to talk to each other and HWPL and IPYG can make it possible.”
“It was the first time for me to participate in this kind of event in which so
many young people work. The atmosphere of movements of our organ-
ization is quite heavy and serious, but it was fresh that HWPL and IPYG
do the peace movement very brightly and cheerfully. I will study and re-
search about HWPL and the International Law much more. I want to make
peace through working with HWPL.”
Gernot Lennert
the DFG-VK, Research Director

Combining the grand events that took place in Korea, China, and Japan, Northeast Asia experienced peace on
the largest scale, demonstrating that this continent was surely home to HWPL’s peace walk. Especially, this year,
18 peace walks took place in China alone.
Northeast Asia

Xi'an, China:
Students to Obtain their Fundamental Right to Peace
Located along the middle of the Yellow River, Xi'an in Shanxi province is one of the oldest cities of China that held
a crucial position under the most important dynasties in Chinese history. The city is also the starting point of the
Silk Road and home to the Terracotta Army of Emperor Quin Shi Huang, the collection of terracotta sculptures
depicting the armies of the first Emperor of China.
On 27 May 2017, at the 4th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace, 180 prominent leaders
and representatives including the principal of the Xi'an Peace Middle School (西安和平中學校) participated. To-
gether they watched the grand event held in Seoul. While watching the event that had been live-streamed from
Korea on May 25th, the participants and students were inspired by how people, not only from Seoul, but from all
over the world, are moving forward towards the common purpose of peace and consequently expressed their
willingness to join HWPL’s future peace activities.
LiuLi, Vice Principal of Xi'an Peace Middle School, said “I am very excited to participate in this international peace
activity and I am happy that our students are also actively involved in today’s event. Peace, development, and
education are the main subjects as project in today’s globe, and it is meaningful and honorable [that] all of us
can be part of the project.”
Students were able to learn that youth have a special responsibility to carry on the value of peace to future gen-
erations and that they should be fully engaged in the implementation of the peacebuilding processes. One of the
teachers said in an interview, “Peace cannot be obtained easily. But this peace activity gave me a lesson that I
must teach children to consider peace as a precious gift and their fundamental right to enjoy. I am grateful for our
students to experience that they have to work together to obtain peace.”
This year in particular, China has seen impressive peace movements throughout the country as commemorative
events were held in Beijing, Shanghai, Zhengzhou and others.

The Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Thailand were the major countries who hosted the commemorative
events this year to further spread and develop a culture of peace through peace walks and awareness-raising
activities. The Southeast Asian continent especially saw the massive participation of students and young adults,
showing that the youth of today are awakening to the message of peace.
Southeast Asia

About 2,500 female students in Satri Wat Absorn
Sawan School in Bangkok prepared an event entitled
“Spreading a Culture of Peace”.
With support from local communities including
Namo Buddhaya Club, Teachers of Country’s Council,
Wat Thong Witthayaram, and World Buddhist Scout
Brotherhood, the event showed unique features
through the peace walk, student speeches about
peace spoken in five languages, and a card section
performance.
All the students united together with their cards to
make a simple message – peace.
A Mosaic of Peace Walks Paves
the Way for Global Peace through Youth Empowerment
Yongyudh Vajaradul
World Buddhist Scout Brotherhood Founder
The movements were recorded to promote peace campaigns online.
Ms.Sirikorn Sukum, the Director of Wat Apsorn Sawan, highlighted, “HWPL’s footsteps for peace is a light of peace
in the world of war and conflict, and we are honored to have this event with HWPL.”
Yongyudh Vajaradul, World Buddhist Scout Brotherhood Founder, said
“The spirit of peace delivered by HWPL is truly motivating many hearts of those
who desire peace. This type of event can be further developed and organized
when we cooperate with each other”

Australia has constantly held advocacy seminars and campaigns for the DPCW recently. This year’s peace walk
was focused on endorsing the development process of the Declaration as well as walking against violent extrem-
ism.
Oceania

Sydney also experienced a vibrant peace walk at Belmore Park on 28 May. They gathered early to prepare face
painting for the participants, street epistemology about preventing violent extremism, and writing peace mes-
sages calling for the community members to take action for peace.
Due to its various ethnicities, cultures, religions, and ideologies, Australia became a symbolic country of the need
for harmonious co-existence. However, as various examples of ethnic tension and violence in Australian history
demonstrate, the contemporary Australian community still sees deep-rooted prejudice and stereotyping behav-
iors towards certain ethnic people and immigrants.
Participants of the Sydney peace walk instilled the value of peace in the minds of all community members and
raised awareness of settling peace in their communities and, furthermore, throughout the country.
Marilie Bomediano, Host of Koori Radio, said “As the HWPL Ambassador of Australia, I believe that we as global
multicultural citizens don't really have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in the process of change,
but small actions like IPYG Peace Walk really can act to collect from a single DPCW legislation campaign signature
fast-multiplied by millions of people to transform this world by Cessation of War.”
She continued, “HWPL and IPYG's walk worldwide can strongly unite the people and world leaders to support
Articles 8-10 in the DPCW to be strongly legislated by the UN Charter soon through the power of Conflict Resolu-
tion and Peace.”
Small Actions can bring Huge Change

As the saying commonly goes, “one must not only
talk the talk, but one must also walk the walk”,
which was exactly what was seen throughout the
world in celebrating the 4th Annual Commemora-
tion of the Declaration of World Peace. This massive
Talk Walk Peace Movement has even spread online
through homepages, blogs, Facebook, Instagram,
Twitter and other social media outlets.
The World’s Greatest Online Participation
for Peace

The world’s youth and those who have a passion
for peace, wherever they may have been, watched
the live streaming of the Seoul event and united in
one heart to talk and walk along the path of peace.
Many participants left comments and likes as well
as posted their real-time photos and videos. Using
the hashtags #talknwalk #5two5 #nomoreviolence
#LawForNoWar, many people on social media ex-
pressed why they took their steps to contribute to
world peace.
Include these #hashtags for peace on your
social media - Share Your Thoughts and Be the
Change.

International Media widely covers
the 525 Peace Walk
With the slogan of Talk Walk to prevent violent extremism, international media paid attention to this
year’s worldwide peace walk and the annual commemorative event. 175 news on the events of the global
peace walk have been reported through 102 media agencies of 38 countries.

2017.06
Monthly Newsletter of
Tel +82 (0)2 514 1963 Fax +82 (0)2 514 1961 Email hwpl@hwpl.kr Website www.hwpl.kr

HWPL Newsletter 2017 June

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HWPL Newsletter 2017 June