On January 24th, over 2,400 pre-registered attendees from 70 countries, including the Philippines, the U.S.A, Germany,
South Africa, China, South Korea and New Zealand, joined the online inter-continental peace conference to discuss the
role of peace education.
The conference was organized by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL)–a Korea-based international
peace NGO, under the UN DGC and the UN ECOSOC–in celebration of the 7th Anniversary of the January 24 HWPL Peace Day.
The January 24 HWPL Peace Day declared by the Province of Maguindanao in the Philippines has been commemorated annually
since the Mindanao Peace Agreement was made by the local government and civil society leaders on that day in 2014.
The Peace Day was named after HWPL since the agreement was suggested by Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL, known as a Korean
war veteran, to overcome the 50 years of conflict that claimed approximately 120,000 victims in the region.
With the theme, "The Role of Peace Education in Building a Peaceful World”, the celebration of this year aimed to raise
awareness of peace education around the world. With this it is intended to establish a global platform for peace
educators to implement peace education in the educational system of each country.
Congratulatory messages came from social, educational, religious, and political figures including President of Court of
Appeal of Cairo, Former President of the UN Human Rights Council, Former Adviser of the Ministry of Education of
Guatemala, Archbishop Emeritus of Davao Archdiocese of the Philippines. Congratulations also came from Chairman Man Hee
Lee of HWPL who delivered a commemorative message.
“Today, Mindanao is no longer a place of conflict; rather, it has become a model of peace to which the world looks.
Once, the people of this region used to point guns at each other—now, they share food while sitting at the same table,
despite their differences in religion and ideologies. Students who were once being trained to kill are now learning the
precious value of life and peace through HWPL Peace Education,” he said.
Dr. Ronald Adamat, Commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines (CHED), also spoke at the
celebration. The Commissioner has made an effort to implement HWPL Peace Education by integrating peace education into
the relevant higher education curricula. He addressed the value of HWPL Peace Day and the progress of the peace
education in the Philippines:
“Youth will fight for peace but are not given yet enough skills, understanding, or opportunity to talk for peace. I
wholeheartedly support HWPL Peace Education. It raises the awareness for our youth to become peacemakers - the
much-needed values of the youth. Future leaders must effect change for the world's positive transformation. Our children
need to be educated on how peacebuilding works effectively. Through education, the building of a truly peaceful world
can one day become a reality.”
HWPL Peace Education consists of 12 lessons and aims to train educators and students with the value of peace by
highlighting the importance of fostering a culture of peace. Since 2016, more than 200 educational institutions in 34
countries, including India, Israel, and the Philippines, have been designated as HWPL Peace Academies. Ministries of
Education from 9 countries have signed MOAs for the implementation of peace education.
Ms. Firoza Muradi, an educator from Afghanistan, said, “The Mindanao Peace Agreement in 2014 became a great model for
countries like Afghanistan who experience wars and conflicts. I hope that the miracle of peace in Mindanao will happen
in Afghanistan, and the beginning is from peace education. Through HWPL Peace Education, students seek answers to
achieve peace in various ways, including harmony with nature, the value of cooperation, and how to protect their rights.
I believe all of my students receiving peace education will grow up to be a peace messenger.”
At the event, HWPL presented plans for 2021 including an Online Peace Educator Training Program, Peace Education
Volunteering Program, and Online Youth Peace Love Exchange Project. These are mostly designed as online programs in
response to the current pandemic situation.