[HWPL]

[HWPL] HWPL and Târgu Mureș Sign 'Cultural City of Peace' MOU in Romania

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) and the city of Târgu Mureș, Romania, for the collaboration of the construction of peace in Târgu Mureș, on May 20, 2018

“I commend Manhee Lee, CEO of HWPL, for his overflowing enthusiasm. A representative with such a young and bold spirit is essential for the younger generation. The goals and activities suggested by the representative ensure a successful future. I applaud the representatives who have dedicated their lives for the sake of peace.”

Dorin Florea, the then mayor of Târgu Mureș, which was the first city in Romania to sign an MOU with HWPL, met Man-hee Lee, Chairman of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) to participate in the work of peace. In September 2016, Mayor Florea, who had observed and verified HWPL’s peace activities for more than two years, participated in the 2nd Annual Commemoration of the September 18th World Alliance of Religions' Peace (WARP) Summit and, thereafter, signed a memorandum of understanding between the city of Târgu Mureș and HWPL at Intercontinental hotel in Bucharest, Romania on May 20, 2018.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) established between Mayor Dorin Florea (center right) of the city of Târgu Mureș and Chairman Man-hee Lee (center) of HWPL, together with various officials, at Intercontinental hotel in Bucharest, Romania on May 20, 2018

Former mayor Florea found the spirit driving HWPL's peace movement needed in the city of Târgu Mureș for it to transition into a cultural city of peace. That is why he signed an MOU. On that day, Mayor Florea was appointed HWPL Peace Ambassador and also wrote a letter of support for the peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsular which he delivered to HWPL.

The day before, on the 19th, a high-level meeting in support of the peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsular, attended by a significant number of former political leaders from Eastern Europe, was held at the Parliament of Romania. Heads of state even prepared letters in support of the peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsular, and delivered it to HWPL. In that month, more than 60 heads of state in Eastern Europe sent letters of support for the peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsular. Their hearts for reunification were warmed in the wake of the climate of peace established by the Inter-Korean summit held on April 27th, the previous month, on the Korean Peninsular.

A peace culture campaign, exhibiting Korean culture to an audience of youth, was conducted by the city of Târgu Mureș, following the signing of a Memorandum of understanding (MOU) with HWPL, from October 14-24, 2019

Since then, HWPL and the city of Târgu Mureș have continued to collaborate in line with the detailed objectives of the MOU, including an exhibition of Korean culture held in the city for ten days, from October 14-24, 2019. In addition to promoting Korean culture, HWPL's Legislate Peace Campaign was also implemented.

The Legislate Peace Campaign is a global initiative to support and advocate for the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW, 10 Articles 38 Clauses), which was masterminded by Chairman Lee and drafted by leading international legal experts, for its implementation at an international level. To this end, HWPL has been ceaselessly advocating the need for global participation among citizens so that the DPCW can become nationally-binding law in every country. For this purpose, numerous activities have been carried out under the banner of the Legislate Peace (LP) Project. The Peace Letter Campaign, in which citizens of every country send handwritten letters to their heads of state, also falls under the LP Project.

The symbolic coat of arms of the city of Târgu Mureș

Panoramic view of the city of Târgu Mureș

Târgu Mureș, which hosted the signing of the MOU with HWPL, is an historic city and the seat of Mureș County, and is located on the banks of the Mureș River in the heart of Transylvania.

Chairman Man-hee Lee (left) and the then mayor of Târgu Mureș city Dorin Florea shake hands following the signing of an MOU on May 20, 2018

The official title of the MOU signed between HWPL and the city of Târgu Mureș is ‘Memorandum of Understanding for the Târgu Mureș Cultural City of Peace Program'.

The purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding is to ‘promote peace, harmony and development, that is, a culture of peace among all local citizens, including women and youth, in the city of Târgu Mureș’.

Accordingly, the city of Târgu Mureș and HWPL agreed to assume responsibility for the legitimacy of the processes that fall within the scope of the 'Târgu Mureș Cultural City of Peace Program'.

The two organizations identified three specific areas for collaboration.

Firstly, that the city of Târgu Mureș ▲provides support to HWPL to ensure smooth implementation of the plan ▲allows free use of venues under the city's administration for events that fall within the scope of the MOU ▲ fosters relationships with institutions, local organizations and mass media.

The city of Târgu Mureș conducts a follow-up peace culture project following the signing of a memorandum of understanding with HWPL. From October 14th to 24th, 2019, a Korean culture exhibition was held in the city of Târgu Mureș

In this regard, HWPL ▲ takes responsibility to ensure the smooth operation of common activities ▲ carries out activities approved by the city of Târgu Mureș ▲ respects the singularities of regional administration and the social, ethnic and religious aspects of Târgu Mureș city, and does not engage in any activity that could infringe on their agreement.

The two organizations also agreed to remain tolerant of each other's opinions, to collaborate based upon the principles of good faith and sincerity in accordance with the content of the MOU, and to participate in activities for the cessation of war and the spreading of peace.

They also agreed to support each other in their individual efforts to promote peace based on one common direction with one common purpose. The decision to implement each activity was made by mutual agreement.

Following the signing of the memorandum of understanding with HWPL, citizens of the city of Târgu Mureș participated in a follow-up peace culture project and youth participated in a DPCW signing campaign. From October 14th to 24th, 2019, a Korean culture exhibition was held in the city of Târgu Mureș

Furthermore, taking into account the mutual benefits of cultural and academic exchanges, cultural institution and organizational exchanges were made, especially among youth.

The two organizations pledged to support and encourage collaboration among capable institutions and organizations in the fields of education and culture, and to regularly disseminate information for this purpose.

Six areas were agreed to fulfil this objective: ▲Exchange of cultural events for peace ▲Peace education ▲Establish the foundation of a culture of peace ▲Establish a cooperative network for the promotion of peace and culture ▲Project to spread a culture of peace in solidarity with local events ▲Further projects and discussions necessary for mutual cooperation.

Peace!