Mass call for world peace
South Korea a poignant setting as neighbouring North Korea talked war
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 29 2017
ROUGHLY 50 000 people packed into the Hwaseong Sports Complex, a stunningly beautiful stadium in Gyeonggi in South Korea, recently. Among them were dignitaries, activists, religious leaders, heads of state, special guests from across the world, a small army of journalists and hundreds of volunteers.
The occasion was a public spectacle to mark and amplify something people everywhere aspire to – a call for peace.
The colourful event, which included parades, displays and speeches, was part of the World Alliance of Religion’s Peace (Warp) 3rd annual summit in Seoul.
It was also to accept a declaration construction after contributions from far and wide and input by an array of professionals, such as world legal experts.
The Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War is to be presented soon to the UN for adoption.
It has already been acknowledged by many countries, including South Africa. Pre-ambled with an acknowledgement that all human beings have inalienable rights, such as the right to dignity, the declaration consists of 10 articles Warp urges all countries to adopt.
The global campaign for peace in the brainchild of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) chairman Man Hee Lee, a Korean war veteran who witnessed the brutality and tragedy of war.
According to the Warp site, HWPL is an international organisation whose objective is to see the cessation of wars. It pursues this goal through avenues such as the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), where young people are at the forefront of peace initiatives, and the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG), which campaigns and create awareness about the rights of women and children.
Many South Africans are associated with the campaigns and the call for peace. They include a number of bright and determined young people from Cape Town and peace activists in the Mother City.
In his message to the summit, Lee said PEACE PARADE: Current and former heads of state, peace activists from across the world, leaders of various religious groups have all joined the call for global peace. About 50 000 people crammed into a stadium in Seoul in South Korea recently as part of a peace summit. he and the directors of IPYG and IWPG had been traversing the world and met various national and community leaders in secular and religious fields.
“Without fail, every leader we have spoken with has pledged themselves in support of our cause, demonstrating their desire to be a part of HWPL’s work through a signed agreement of solidarity.”
Lee’s call is for everyone around the world to actively work towards world peace.
“Nothing like this has ever happened on Earth. Let us gather all our strengths and together create a beautiful world of peace,” he said.
It is a call which deserves a response from everyone who respects life and treasures safety, security and peace of mind.
This is particularly the case given the conflicts in various parts of the world, and especially the loss of lives in the Middle East and parts of of Africa, not to mention the sabre-rattling from North Korea. The campaign for peace is fast gaining momentum, but much more is needed than a oncea-year World Peace Day.
In his message to the masses gathered at the Hwaseong Sports Complex, Zambia justice minister Given Lubinda said: “It is our inescapable duty to call to action all our political, religious, civic and academia leaders. They all must take affirmative action against war. As a matter of extreme urgency, the world must demand a complete stop to the intimidation associated with the senseless exhibitions of weapons of war. “
Former Kosovo president Atifete Jahjaga and her Belarus counterpart, Stanislaw Shushkevich, had messages in the same vein. So too did Benin president Adrien Houngbedji, who said the DPCW was a huge step towards public mobilisation for peace, and a praiseworthy effort which needed to be saluted.
Said former Croatia president Ivo Josipovic: “Our task is very difficult, but not impossible. We have to stop wars once and forever.”
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