Bringing Governments and Citizens to Global Peace Movement :
12th Anniversary of the Declaration of World Peace Showcases Colorful Events

 

 

HWPL held the HWPL’s 12th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace across 94 locations in 61 countries worldwide including South Korea. The events took place both offline (86 locations) and online (8 locations), with a participation of over 1,600 public figures and 10,000 citizens globally.

The Declaration of World Peace was first proclaimed on May 25, 2013, by Chairman of HWPL Man Hee Lee in front of the Peace Gate at the Olympic Park in Seoul with 30,000 global youth advocating peace. It was a call to end war and establish peace through the collective efforts of global citizens by outlining the roles of individuals from all walks of life in achieving peace. The event also featured a large-scale Peace Walk, which has since become a symbolic annual movement in cities around the world.

 

 

This year’s commemorative events aim to reflect on the historical significance of the declaration and encourage greater civic participation in peacebuilding efforts. Programs included peace education presentations, video screenings, and interfaith dialogue sessions tailored to the cultural and social contexts of each participating country.

 

 

At the previous 10th anniversary, Chairman Lee Man-hee emphasized, “After declaring peace on earth (to achieve it together), I traveled around the world for the advocacy of peace. I called for peace to be taught at home and in school, and for everyone to become a messenger of peace. We need to be united under the title of peace and work together to create a better world and leave it as a legacy for future generations. This is our mission in the times we live in.”

In South Korea, reflecting the unique circumstances of the Korean Peninsula, the events focused on “peaceful unification.” Co-hosted with local governments and various civic and social organizations under the theme “Future of Peace and Prosperity: Free Travel on the Korean Peninsula,” the campaign was held throughout June in 12 cities including Seoul, Incheon, Pocheon, Wonju, Daejeon, Daegu, Busan, Jeonju, and Damyang in Jeollanam-do. Approximately 13,600 citizens participated, expressing a collective wish for genuine inter-Korean exchange and expanding public consensus on peaceful unification.

 

 

Each regional event featured unique themes such as “Together: Connecting Korea,” “Connect the North and South Through the Forest,” and “The Echo of Filial Piety and Peace: Connect Nation,” along with special programs commemorating Memorial Day and the 75th anniversary of the Korean War. Hands-on activities included the One for Korea challenge, a Peace Train experience from Seoul Station to Pyongyang Station, writing messages for separated families, and peace photo zones. Various cultural programs such as orchestra and choir performances, musicals, citizen talk concerts, and exhibition contests also encouraged voluntary participation.

Participants confronted the realities of division through presentations by separated families and intergenerational peace content connecting wartime and youth generations, deepening their understanding of the need for unification. In some events, attendees wrote peace pledges or left peace messages, urging for unification through free inter-Korean travel. Particularly, campaigns and performances that highlighted the pain of separated families and bridged the wartime and youth generations served as catalysts for intergenerational peace dialogue.

The HWPL’s 12th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace not only recalled the past achievement but also reaffirmed a shared commitment to practical actions for a peaceful future. HWPL will continue to expand its efforts in supporting international law for peace, promoting peace education, and fostering interreligious harmony through global partnerships.