Foreign
UNDER the theme of “Institutional Peace: Strengthening Communication to Build Trust”, an
international peace NGO, Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light(HWPL), holds its 7th
Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War(DPCW) from March 14 th to
19 th in 41 countries from Africa, Europe, North America and Asia.
With the foundation of “Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)” as a tool for
comprehensive global peacebuilding cooperation, 7,000 people in the fields of politics, legal
profession and religion, education, media, women and youth, will join the event where the participants
share the cases of conflict prevention, mediation, and resolution to institutionalize peace as a
universal culture and norm.
“This declaration, comprised of 10 articles and 38 clauses, aims to restore the spirit that served as the
basis for the establishment of the United Nations and to achieve sustainable peace by promoting the
universal values of the global community. The DPCW contains the message of no war, peace
between nations and societies, friendly relations, prosperity, happiness, this is a simple message and
everyone can relate to this message,” said Prof. Dr. Md Nazrul Islam, Chairman of International Law,
University of Dhaka who drafted the DPCW, in the event on March 14 th .
In his progress report presentation, Pravin Parekh, President of the Confederation of Indian Bar,
presented major activities of overcoming disconnection and distrust and the progress for realizing the
introduction of the DPCW to the United Nations. “HWPL has been strengthening trust and
communication with youth, women, and civil society around the world in solidarity through activities
such as Legislate Peace Project, WARP Office, and Peace Education,” he said.
Emphasizing the need for dialogues among religious leaders to facilitate tolerance and understanding,
Ven. Myeong An, Vice President of Yeorae Order of Korean Buddhism, said, “Currently, many
conflicts, persecutions, and conflicts among religions are taking place in the global village. It’s
because of intolerance and a lack of communication. However, what if many religious people come to
discuss with scriptures? It will only be a matter of time before a world of peace comes.”
In the event, action plans to advocate peace in Ukraine were prepared. Participants from over 100
countries write “Peace Letters” to denounce Russian invasion of Ukraine as a violation of international
law and demand Russian President Putin a total withdrawal from the Ukraine territory. “Future
generations of Russians will remember you and this war as an indelible and shameful history, and you
will be left in history as the one responsible for sacrificing countless innocent lives,” the letter stated.
These letters will be collected and sent to Ukraine, where a peace monument will be erected.
During the speech, Chairman Lee Man-hee of HWPL emphasized, “Peace cannot be achieved alone.
If everyone can live together as one, there will be no wars or conflicts. As the saying goes, love your
neighbor as yourself, war will disappear only when there is love for each other. Current international
law cannot prevent war. Russia, a permanent member of the United Nations, waged a war. The
DPCW was introduced to renew the inoperative international law to eliminate war. Now is the time to
achieve peace. Just as people learn when they have to create (something), peace must be taught at
home and at school to create peace. If people’s hearts change, a better world will be created. Let
everyone in the global village become messengers of peace.”
KN
Tags: DPCW HWPL Md Nazrul Islam Myeong An Pravin Parekh United Nations
