World peace summit kicks off

AT least 1 800 global leaders are expected to attend the 9th anniversary of the September 18th Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) World Peace Summit, which kicks off here tomorrow.

HWPL is an international non-governmental organisation that works towards the achievement of world peace and the cessation of war.

Leaders in politics, education, religion, women’s rights movements, youth groups and the media from around the world will participate in discussions aimed at formulating strategies to engender peace during the four-day summit.

Topics up for discussion include spreading a culture of institutional peace, expansion of comparative scriptural studies, long-term peacebuilding through education and the development of policies for promoting a culture of peace.

In a statement ahead of the summit, HWPL chairman Mr Hee Lee said the summit presents an opportunity to call for global peace.

“This 9th-anniversary celebration will look back on the achievements of the past 10 years and discuss the theme of ‘Implementation of Multidimensional Strategies for Institutional Peace’,” he said.

Mr Lee said it was imperative to promote a culture of understanding amongst people of diverse backgrounds.

Participation by people drawn from all over the world, he said, was a necessity in propagating and, ultimately, achieving global peace.

“We (HWPL) have circled the globe 32 times to carry out the work of peace.

“The ultimate goal has been achieving peace.

“Whether it is within families, schools or any other organisation, peace is a vital need.

“Not a single person has rejected the idea of peace.

“Therefore, I firmly believe that peace will be attained,” he said.

Institutional peace is a concept advanced by HWPL — which calls for international agreements aimed at establishing sustainable peace, with frameworks based on the principles outlined in the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War.