HWPL’s Efforts in Promoting Peace Education

“Underneath all things, there is no place more beautiful or better for life than the Earth. What is the use of hoping for heaven while ruining this beautiful heaven-like world on earth? Wouldn't it be better if we could make the world a better world and make it more like heaven? Now we must educate people about the ideas of a new era of peace. Beyond countries, races, religions, and all ideologies, everyone must come together as one to live in a world of peace. To create a true world of peace, the youth and each individual must be reborn as citizens of peace, holding the right thoughts for peace. Peace education should not simply discuss the past, but should be an education that allows students to feel the answer to achieving peace through the progress of peace currently underway, to become a messenger of peace, and to put it into practice.” – Man Hee Lee, Chairman of HWPL

Man-hee Lee, the chairman of HWPL, refers to ‘peace education’ as ‘ideological education for a new era of peace.’ The ‘new era of peace’ envisions a world where nations, races, religions, and ideologies transcend, and everyone lives together as one—a true utopia. Let’s take a look at the background, purpose, goals, and current status of HWPL’s peace education initiative.

Image from HWPL Official Website

HWPL, since its establishment in 2013, has been actively involved in creating a peace curriculum and educational materials. Global community faces many challenges including war, conflict, terrorism, racism, poverty, disease, and climate changes. These issues underscore the need for peace aas a fundamental value for humanity. That is why Chairman Lee emphasizes the importance of transforming our world into a truly peaceful place by transcending differences in nationality, race, religion, and ideology through education.

Image from HWPL Official Website

HWPL's peace education, based on the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), has been positively received worldwide and is seen as a sustainable curriculum of peace for future generations. The DPCW, drafted with inputs from global legal experts, forms the foundation of HWPL's peace education. It includes promoting peace culture and encouraging education on mutual understanding and respect among different religious and ethnic groups.

Image from HWPL Official Website

As of December 2023, HWPL has signed Memoranda of Agreement or Understanding (MOA/MOU) for peace education with 351 institutions in 53 countries. HWPL's commitment to fostering a culture of peace through education, targeting a broad audience including students and young people, will continue along with its progress in making peace education a global movement.