Institutionalizing peace through civic participation

There is no place under heaven and earth that is more beautiful and better to live in than the Earth. However, many people are suffering from war, famine, a gap between the rich and the poor, environmental pollution, and more all over the world due to human greed and selfishness. Such reality that humanity faces still remains a problem to be solved and is being passed on to the future generations. Therefore, HWPL proposed peace education as a way to leave a beautiful world of peace as a legacy for the future generations.

Training a rising generation as citizens of peace is more important than anything else to transform the future of the global community into a better world. In order for such future leaders to be born, education must be provided to students at school on topics such as peaceful attitudes, values, and experiences so that they can practice them in society.

It aims for the heroes responsible for the next generation to become citizens of peace, cultivate the spirit of peace, and solve global security problems so that they become leaders who create global harmony and achieve peace.

Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), a South Korea-based international peace NGO, held the 12th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace in 94 locations across 61 countries. The events took place both offline in 86 locations and online in 8, drawing participation from over 1,600 public figures and more than 10,000 citizens globally.

This year’s commemorative events focused on revisiting the historical significance of the declaration while encouraging broader civic participation in peace building efforts. Programs were tailored to reflect each country’s cultural and social context, including peace education sessions, video screenings, and interfaith dialogues.

On May 30, 2025, HWPL hosted the 12th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace in an online format, bringing together participants mainly from across the Middle East and North-East Africa. The event aimed to reflect on the declaration first proclaimed in 2013 and to promote the institutionalization of peace under the theme “Legislate Peace.” Key segments included the Chairman’s commemorative message, the introduction of HWPL’s Legislate Peace (LP) Program, and sectoral presentations from international law, education, youth, and media fields.

A distinctive feature of the event was its emphasis on citizen-led implementation of peace through law, culture, and daily practice. The DPCW was introduced as a legal foundation supported by growing international endorsement.

HWPL has been consistent with allocating its infrastructure in the Middle East and African continent for their socio-geographical importance in international relation with licensed branch establishment in Ethiopia, Tanzania and Egypt. HWPL creates grass root support to back up the resolution of possible conflicts with intimate cooperation with local schools, NGOs, and governments.

“Peace cannot remain a slogan—it must become structure,” said Dr. Faysal A. Mohamed, former UN SDGs committee member. Oussama Jeljeli, a peace educator active in Tunisia and Qatar, added, “One person’s action can shape institutions. That is how real peace begins.”

The event brought together experts from international law, education, media, and youth sectors who have maintained long-term cooperation with HWPL. By sharing field-based insights and regional applications of peace-building strategies, the forum aimed to reinforce sustained partnerships. Distinguished participants included former UN SDGs Committee Member, educators, youth and women’s rights advocates, journalists from the Middle East—each highlighting peace challenges and progress in their respective contexts.

HWPL plans to formalize sector-based expert networks and strengthen localized implementation of the Legislate Peace (LP) Project. It will prioritize collaboration to promote the DPCW, expand the distribution of peace education materials in local languages, and establish multi-sectoral platforms that invite broader participation from civil society, institutions, and governments—thus creating a snowball effect in growing the global family of peace.

HWPL is a non-governmental organization registered with the Seoul Metropolitan Government of the Republic of Korea. It is associated with the UN Department of Global Communications (DGC) and in Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). In keeping with the spirit of the Declaration of World Peace, that HWPL aims to achieve world peace through the heavenly culture and restore the global community with light, we are carrying out peace activities all across the world.

With our partner group, the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG), and our affiliate group, the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), HWPL is leading an international peace movement with leaders in all walks of life without being limited by national, cultural, or ideological boundaries. Moreover, we seek to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals by spreading a culture of peace through various means such as forums, education, volunteer work, and campaigns.

HWPL’s peace activities will continue until sustainable peace is assured for future generations.

BY ZEKARIAS WOLDEMARIAM

THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 11 JUNE 2025

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