The world stands at a pivotal moment as the 10th Anniversary of the HWPL World Peace Summit approaches on September 18, 2024. This historic event will see global leaders and citizens from 122 countries converge to celebrate a decade of unwavering commitment to peace, focusing on fostering future strategies for global harmony.

The theme for this year’s summit, “Creating a World Peace Community Through Regional Collaboration,” reflects the enduring mission of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, and Restoration of Light (HWPL), an international peace organization dedicated to resolving global conflicts. Since its inception, HWPL has worked tirelessly to build bridges across borders, bringing together diverse voices to pursue peace.

Reflecting on a Decade of Peace Efforts

International Religious Peace Academy_World Peace Summit 2023.

The inaugural HWPL World Peace Summit 2014 was a groundbreaking event that gathered over a thousand leaders from politics, religion, women’s and youth organizations, and the media, hailing from 140 countries. This summit laid the foundation for a global movement, addressing critical issues such as conflict resolution, religious harmony, and establishing legal frameworks to secure lasting peace.

Over the past ten years, HWPL’s mission has persisted and grown in influence and impact. The 2024 summit will serve as a platform to review the significant achievements made since 2014 and to chart the course for the next decade. Attendees will engage in discussions designed to reinforce regional peace networks, address local challenges, and mobilize collective resources for peacebuilding.

A Global Call for Peace

In a world increasingly divided by economic disputes, military tensions, and climate change, HWPL’s work is more crucial than ever. Through the agreements forged in 2014, HWPL and its global partners have tackled these challenges head-on, promoting regional cooperation and collective action as essential tools for maintaining peace.

The slogan for this year’s event, “Let’s have everyone become a messenger of peace,” encapsulates HWPL’s belief in the power of individual responsibility. The organization calls on people from all walks of life to contribute their voices to the global peace effort. Messages of peace from around the world will be collected and unveiled at the summit, symbolizing a united desire for harmony.

Chairman Lee of HWPL Gives Speech at the Global Peace Leaders Conference_9th Anniversary of World Peace Summit 2023.

A Legacy of Peace for Future Generations

Reflecting on the organization’s journey, Chairman Lee Man-hee of HWPL has been a vocal advocate for peace, often questioning the devastating cost of war. “Why should the lives of young people be sacrificed in war? What is politics, and for whom is it for?” Chairman Lee remarked during the 9th Anniversary of the HWPL World Peace Summit in 2023. He passionately argued that peace is not merely a concept to be discussed but a legacy to be actively pursued and left behind for future generations.

The 10th Anniversary of the HWPL World Peace Summit will celebrate this legacy and reaffirm the global commitment to peace. Through a series of sessions held in countries worldwide, HWPL will continue to build the networks and partnerships necessary to address local threats to peace and strengthen the collective capacity to maintain global harmony.

The Path Forward

As the summit approaches, the world’s eyes will be on South Korea and the many participating nations. The HWPL World Peace Summit has become more than just an event; it symbolises hope and a beacon of light in a world often shrouded in conflict. The next decade will be crucial in determining the future of global peace, and HWPL stands at the forefront of this effort, ready to lead the charge.

Written by: Charmaine Lu

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