[HWPL]

[HWPL] Appreciation Plaque awarded from the IWPG Johor Peace Committee (Malaysia) to Chairman of HWPL: “Together for Peace as Messenger of Peace”

Chairwoman Sow Pheng Woo delivers an appreciation plaque to Chairman Lee following the IWPG Network Forum held at the HWPL Peace Institute in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi province on September 19, 2017

No mother wants to lose her child to war. This is why women and mothers have been turning to Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), which is a private NGO that has produced and propagated the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) as a solution for peace under the mantra, “Let’s create a world of peace, without war, as a legacy for future generations”. These women have been leading a peace movement through voluntary participation in International Women's Peace Group (IWPG), an affiliate organization of HWPL, because they accept that the DPCW should be enshrined in international law by the UN in order to protect children from war. For this reason, IWPG members around the world are urging people of all walks of life to support the enactment of the DPCW as international law.

On March 14, 2016, IWPG Johor Peace Committee (Malaysia) Chairwoman Sow Pheng Woo attended the proclamation of the DPCW by HWPL Chairman Man-hee Lee in person. She believed that the DPCW proposed by Chairman Lee can cease wars and achieve a world of peace, so she has actively supported the DPCW since then. She particularly resonated with HWPL Chairman Lee's message, 'Let's leave peace as a legacy for future generations'.

Chairman Man-hee Lee (top right) smiles during a lecture delivered for the IWPG Network Forum, held during the 3rd Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit, at the InterContinental Grand Seoul Parnas on September 19, 2017

Sow Pheng Woo, who had been working with HWPL as the chairperson of the IWPG Johor Peace Committee (Malaysia) for over a year, visited Korea to attend the 3rd Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit in September 2017. Chairwoman Woo delivered a commemorative plaque of appreciation, which was engraved with the words, “Together for Peace as Messenger of Peace.” Concerning this appreciation plaque, Chairwoman Woo said, "It was made with gratitude for taking the lead in the work of peace and for delivering the message of peace not only to women and people in Malaysia, but also to the world."

On that day, she delivered a presentation at the IWPG Network Forum under the theme of 'Practical Examples of Urgent Action for Establishing International Law as well as the Establishment of Cooperative Governance'.

Her presentation expressed the wish for peace among women around the world. Chairwoman Woo, who was appointed as the Commissioner for the Enactment of International Law, was deeply moved by the enthusiasm and dedication of HWPL members. She reported the outcome of the peace movement in Malaysia out of her own volition.

Sow Pheng Woo, President of the International Women’s Association Johor Bahru (Malaysia's largest women's federation), delivers a speech at the IWPG Network Forum, held during the 3rd Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit, at the InterContinental Grand Seoul Parnas on September 19, 2017

Chairwoman Woo said, “I believe that the DPCW holds the solution to world peace. The overwhelming support all over the world, which transcends culture and religion, is evidence of this.”

She explained that, like the WARP Summit in May of that year, people from all walks of life gathered together to hold a peace festival in which 650 people attended under the guidance of the royal family and the city chairman.

In this regard, she said, "As a result, this event has elevated our region to one of peace. I plan to register an IWPG branch in Malaysia soon and collaborate with HWPL. We will carry out various activities in cooperation with government agencies and NGOs to promote the DPCW extensively for women, youth and children in Korea."

In addition to the peace events held with HWPL in her home country, Ms. Woo Sow Pheng has left her mark through numerous activities.

A guest responds with glee after receiving a dove-shaped peace letter at the IWPG Network Forum, held during the 3rd Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit, at the InterContinental Grand Seoul Parnas on September 19, 2017

First, on December 29, 2015, female figures gathered and opened an event to promote IWPG. On January 23, 2016, Chairwoman Wu attended the HWPL Peace Conference in Kuching, and on March 14th, she visited Korea and directly participated in the Proclamation Ceremony of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War.

Her speech left a marked impression. On the following day, she was appointed to the HWPL Advisory Board to urge for the enactment of HWPL's draft law as international law, and established a national commission within the country. In April, she hosted the DPCW Advocacy Signing Ceremony at an event organised by the International Women’s Association Johor Bahru, and on June 18th, she hosted the Johor Bahru Peace Forum. She held a Youth Peace Leadership Seminar in July, and attended the 2nd Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit on September 18th in Korea. She was then appointed to the IWPG Advisory Board. Shortly after, she personally recruited members of the IWPG Peace Committee in Malaysia.

Her peace activities continued on throughout 2017. On March 25th, she hosted the Johor Peace Carnival, attended by the Johor Bahru City Council and Prince Idris Iskandar of Johor State. On May 19th, a leadership event for youth engagement was held in Johor Bahru. On September 18th, she attended the 3rd Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit in Korea, where she delivered a presentation and received the HWPL Achievement Award at the IWPG Network Forum. Upon her return, she hosted celebrations of Malaysian Independence Day.

The following year, in March 2018, she delivered a speech at the ceremony of the 2nd Annual Commemoration of Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War held in Malaysia. Then, over the course of three months from April-June, IWPG booths were installed at the city council's car-free-day street event on three occasions to garner signatures in support of the DPCW. In July, she served as a bridge of communication between the personal secretary of the youth minister, the political secretary of the deputy prime minister, and the peace delegations of IPYG and HWPL. On September 18th of that year, she attended the 4th Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit.

Participants respond with applause at the IWPG Network Forum, held during the 3rd Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit, at the InterContinental Grand Seoul Parnas on September 19, 2017

On June 29th 2019, IWPG hosted its '2nd International Peace-Love Drawing Competition', and on December 15th, the 'Love Peace Project' was held, with the support of the city council, to accommodate 105 guests. Since then, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, she has carried out a number of volunteer and peace activities in the region.

She attended the online IWPG International Branch Conference and virtual ceremony to commemorate the 5th Annual Commemoration of Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War on January 19th and March 14th 2021, respectively.

Meanwhile, International Women's Peace Group (IWPG) is a women's peace organization with 3.7 billion women from all over the world who transcend border, creed, race and political divide with the slogan, "Let's protect children from war with a mother's heart".

IWPG, which operates in 130 member states, is a partner organization of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), and serves as one of the two wings of HWPL. With the purpose of preventing thousands of youth from becoming victims of war, and centred on the heart and sacrifice and willing spirit of a mother and woman, they are campaigning for the enactment of an international law to end war, and are collaborating to create a world without war and of sustainable peace.

Peace!