[HWPL]

[HWPL] HWPL's 18th ~ 20th Peace Tour, Philippines Celebrated Peace & Peace Conference at the United Nations

Mindanao, Philippines, established January 24th as the anniversary of the Mindanao Peace Agreement to commemorate the peaceful settlement of 40 years of conflict through the mediation of HWPL Chairman Man-hee Lee. Locals gathered to celebrate the unveiling of the Peace Monument held in commemoration of the 2nd anniversary of the Declaration of World Peace in Maguindanao, Philippines, on May 25th, 2015.

A peace monument was built to commemorate the 2nd anniversary of the Declaration of World Peace on May 25th, 2015 in Maguindanao, Philippines.

18th & 19th Peace Tour

In Mindanao, Philippines, where a 40-year conflict was resolved through the mediation of HWPL Chairman Man-hee Lee and fellow peace advocates, a monument was erected to commemorate this historic event, and 'HWPL Day' was declared.

Earlier, on January 24th 2014, Chairman Lee and peace advocates reached a civil peace agreement to resolve the 40-year conflict in Mindanao, Philippines, which was considered a major conflict zone in Asia. The next day, as a result of peace-building negotiations, the Philippine government and the MILF signed a final peace agreement, and peace in Mindanao was realized through the reconciliation efforts and collaboration between conflicting parties and the private sector. 

After this peace agreement, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) drew widespread attention by disposing of their weapons, including heavy weaponry, and held an event to withdraw 145 combatants from Maguindanao, Mindanao.

Archbishop Antonio Ledesma and Chairman Man-Hee Lee promised to collaborate for peace at Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines on May 24th 2015

The MILF had pursued an anti-government armed conflict for over 40 years since the 1970s, resulting in the loss of about 150,000 lives, including government troops, rebels and everyday people. The Philippine government had conducted peace negotiations with the MILF since 1997, but they were cancelled on political grounds.

During the 18th Peace Tour, Maguindanao (Mindanao, Philippines) permanently designated January 24th as ‘HWPL Day’ to commemorate the anniversary. In addition, on May 25th, 2015, the '2nd Anniversary of the Declaration of World Peace' was held at the Buluan Gymnasium in Maguindanao, attended by about 3,000 Muslim and Catholic religious leaders, politicians and military leaders. They pledged to work hard for the development and maintenance of peace and, in commemoration of the peace agreement in Mindanao, created a ‘Peace Park’ and held the ‘Unveiling Ceremony of the Peace Monument’ and the ‘Peace Walk'.

On the 18th Peace Tour, Chairman Lee and peace advocates met politicians, lawyers, soldiers and police representatives in Manila, Maguindanao, Cagayan de Oro and Davao over four nights and five days to advance HWPL's peace movement. They urged for participation in a full-on schedule that included a women's peace agreement ceremony and the 2nd anniversary of the Declaration of World Peace.

Local soldiers attended the World Peace Walk held after the ceremony to commemorate the 2nd anniversary of the Declaration of World Peace in Maguindanao, Philippines on May 25th, 2015

The 19th tour that followed also took place in the Philippines.

On July 8th 2015, a special seminar was held by a coalition organization in the Philippines.

Filipino religious leaders invited Chairman Lee to a peace seminar. As an introduction, the group's leader, Maritez Cruz, said, "HWPL's Chairman Man-Hee Lee has traveled the world 18 times across borders, races, religions and ideologies, working for peace." Regarding the achievements of Chairman Lee in the Philippines, he said, “It is very remarkable,” and he issued the following request to guests in attendance, “I ask that you, messengers of peace, descendants of peace, and sons of peace, spread this heavenly culture to people all over the world.”

Chairman Lee took a commemorative photo after signing an agreement with Governor Esmael Mangudadatu of Maguindanao Province on May 25th, 2015

In his introductory speech, Chairman Lee raised the question, “Shouldn’t we all be doing the work of peace that Jesus did?” He also urged participants, “Let us all become messengers of peace and make peace so that God can come and reign.”

Chairman Lee's peace journey in the Philippines was broadcast through the Philippine state broadcaster PTV during his 19th peace tour.

Han-yeol Yoo (28), who had been studying abroad in Mindanao, Philippines since the age of 14, said that he witnessed the fruits of peace achieved by Chairman Lee. Mr. Yoo also vowed, "I will become a messenger of peace as a witness to the Mindanao incident through my study in the Philippines and testify to Chairman Lee's progress."

A ceremony to commemorate the 2nd anniversary of the Declaration of World Peace was held at the Buluan Gymnasium with Islamic and Catholic religious leaders, politicians, military and civilians in attendance in Maguindanao, Mindanao, Philippines, on May 25th 2015

20th Peace Tour

The 20th Peace Tour began at the UN headquarters where the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly was held. On September 28th, while the alternative discussion at the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly began, Chairman Man-Hee Lee was invited to the Global Peace Leadership session.

At the conference entitled ‘World Peace: Consultation between Religious Leaders and the Role of Women and Youth’ held in the 3rd meeting room of the UN Headquarters, progress reports were made concerning the peace tour and the World Peace Conference that HWPL had conducted.

At this event, HWPL’s representatives who attended the 2014 World Peace Conference, including Kamal Hossein (former Minister of Justice of Bangladesh), Alvind Bora (Chairman of the North American Jain Association), Princess Maria Torres, and Inderjit Singh (Founder of the South Asian Bar Association) shared their experiences and expressed their support for the peace activities.

After the UN Headquarters meeting on September 29th, 2015, Chairman Lee talked with the former Minister of Justice of Bangladesh Kamal Hossein over an evening meal.

Former Minister of Justice Kamal Hossein introduced the WARP Summit, saying, “There was an event where leaders of different religions, including Catholic priests, Buddhist monks, and Muslim Imams, came together and signed an agreement to become one, recognizing that the core purpose of religion is, ultimately, peace. This meeting is very important at the UN General Assembly because, if conflict continues, sustainable development will never be achieved in the global village.”

In September 2014, Alvind Bora, chairman of the North American Jain Association, who attended the World Peace Conference in Seoul with his wife and fellow Jains, said, “When we first met, I knew that this person was a messenger of peace, and I decided to help with whatever I could.” He expressed the goodwill he received at the WARP Summit and stressed, “we need someone like Mr. Lee who will eliminate the diseases of war and violence in the human world.”

Religious leaders in New York received news of Chairman Lee's visit and invited him to deliver a message of peace. At the Religious Leaders Meeting held at the Trump World Tower on the same day, Chairman Lee emphasized the movement of the World Alliance of Religions' Peace (WARP) Office and urged that religions become one by comparing their scriptures.

On September 28th, 2015, in the 3rd meeting room of the UN Headquarters, a meeting was held under the theme, “World Peace: Consultation between Religious Leaders and the Role of Women and Youth” where HWPL Chairman Man-hee Lee was keynote speaker.

“He has done a very important job in the name of God,” said Inderjit Singh, founder of the South Asian Bar Association. “He is full of courage and insight. I am lucky to meet him.”

Dileepkumar Thankappan, who leads an interreligious movement for world peace, asserted that “Chairman Lee’s teachings should be widely communicated to all countries, religious groups, and people who will achieve a beautiful world of peace.”

Chairman Lee took a commemorative photo after receiving a plaque of appreciation prepared by the Mayor of Mount Vernon, New York, USA on September 30th, 2015. The City of Mount Vernon established September 18th as 'HWPL Day'.

On September 30th, the last day of the 20th peace tour, Chairman Lee and the peace delegation visited Mount Vernon, a residential and urban city in northeastern United States and southeastern New York. A plaque of appreciation prepared by the Mayor of Vernon awaited the delegation.

The then Vernon Mayor Ernest Davis presented a plaque of appreciation to commemorate HWPL's contribution, saying, "The world needs people like Chairman Lee who actively move to achieve peace." In addition, Mayor Davis designated September 18th, the day of the WARP Summit, as 'HWPL Day'.

On September 29th, 2015, Chairman Man-Hee Lee presented HWPL badges to the late Ambassador from Palau to the United Nations Caleb Otto.

On July 8th 2015, Chairman Lee Man-hee conducted a special interview with the Philippine national broadcaster PTV.

Peace!