No. 26
2017.06
Monthly Newsletter of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light
HWPL NEWS
˙ 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
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light
Overview
of the 4th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace
Number of Participants
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~99
~499
~999
1,000~
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 organizations 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
41 98 107 100,000 Countries Cities
Top 10 Countries
Ceremonies
(As of 22.06.2017)
Participants
with the Greatest Number of Participants
South Korea South Sudan Bangladesh China Thailand India Butan Indonesia U.S.A. South Africa
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Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light
The 4th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace
Americas
A total of over 1,500 participants from America, Canada, El Salvador, and Guatemala participated in the 4th Annual 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.
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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
Los Angeles
Washington D.C.
Civil society groups and the United Nations have generated great cooperation for peace. The 525 Peace Walk held at the Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, New York gathered many youth and civil participants as well as prominent UN representatives to advocate having citizens become Peace Ambassadors in their respective communities.
Ruben Mata, founder of STAND Development Training and Publicity 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 individuals that are feeling youthful…From different areas of the world, we are here today to create peace.”
Joy Malabanti, a volunteer who participated in the Washington D.C. peace walk said in an interview, “D.C. is a diverse community 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 actually tangibly show us how to attain peace, not just talk about it. HWPL and events like this peace walk give me hope that a real solution is possible.”
“Let us all become Ambassadors of Peace”
H.E. Lot Dzonzi, Malawi Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, addressed the audience 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, races, philosophies and prevent from those aspects becoming a source for war. Together by acting in peaceful ways we have the ability to tackle our differences without being violent. Our capacity to love one another is tremendous. Living in harmony is the only way in which we can live in a peaceful world.”
Feeling youthful!
Small example to the world of peace
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Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light
The 4th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace
Africa
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 participants from coming out to the street to walk together for peace.
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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 Weapons 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 recent 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
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Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light
The 4th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace
Europe
Nine countries across the European continent, including the U.K., Germany, France, Spain, and the Czech Republic, 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.
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It is necessary to talk to each other and HWPL and IPYG can make it possible.
"
Frankfurt is Colored by Peace 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.
Gernot Lennert, the DFG-VK, Research Director, said,
“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 organization 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 research about HWPL and the International Law much more. I want to make peace through working with HWPL.”
Gernot Lennert
the DFG-VK, Research Director
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.”
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Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light
The 4th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace
Northeast Asia
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.
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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. Together 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 generations 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.
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Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light
The 4th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace
Southeast Asia
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.
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A Mosaic of Peace Walks Paves the Way for Global Peace through Youth Empowerment 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. 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”
Yongyudh Vajaradul
World Buddhist Scout Brotherhood Founder
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Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light
The 4th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace
Oceania
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 extremism.
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Small Actions can bring Huge Change 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 messages 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 behaviors 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 Resolution and Peace.”
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Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light
The World’s Greatest Online Participation for Peace
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 Commemoration 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.
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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 expressed 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.
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Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light
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.
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2017.06
Monthly Newsletter of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light
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