100 global journalists discussed peace journalism at the Conference for Global Peace Media Network in 3^rd Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit

By Marilie Bomediano
Photos: by HWPL
Seoul-South Korea
October 16, 2017



Journalists Advocate Commitment to Building Peace in Our Times

In the climate of nuclear war threats, ballistic missile programs, neo-militarism, terrorism and violent extremism, HWPL global journalists re-united last Sept 17-19 at the 3rd WARP SUMMIT PRESSCON in Seoul, Korea.

Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), an international NGO under the UN ECOSOC, hosted the 3^rd Annual Commemoration of the World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Summit from September 17^th to 19^th with the theme of “Constructing collaborative governance for development and implementation of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)”.

With participation of 100 journalists from 50 countries, “Conference for Global Peace Media Network: Freedom of Press and International Peace Media Community Initiative” as a session in the summit was held to advocate journalists’ active engagement in peacebuilding efforts.

Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL said, “The work of peace is not given to an individual or company, but to everyone in the globe. HWPL as a peace organization under both UN DPI and ECOSOC is seeking to build cooperation with the UN focusing on cessation of war and global peace in a way that everyone in our globe can participate in this work of peace with the same heart of peace.”

As a guest speaker, Rev. Tshuma Masimango Katembo, President of Oneness Development Association from Democratic Republic of the Congo(DRC), emphasized the role of journalism by saying, “Women were raped in their fields, in the forest, along the roads and in their houses. They have seen how their husbands, their fathers and brothers in law were killed and cooked in their presence and were forced to eat some part of their body. However, we found the hope from the DPCW of HWPL. All the 10 articles are exactly what DRC has needed. Please make sure of broadcasting this situation.”

With an example of conflict resolution in Macedonia in 2001, Mr. Bojan Stojkovski from Makfax News Agency highlighted the role of media in peacebuilding. “Thanks to the efforts of some of the Macedonian institutions, the media and the international community, that violent scenario that was supposed to lead to a civil war was avoided and democracy prevailed. But these events once again showed the fragile state of Macedonia, but the Balkan countries in general as well, and that we, as a society, should always work on peace building, in order to stop incidents like this,” he commented.

Mr. Kamal Khalifa, Chairman of Alsalamnews from Egypt also added, “As a media professional, we have a responsibility and ability to reach to the public with the truth and good news of peace as the bridge between them and citizens also can become a peace advocate to leave a legacy of peace to the future generation.”

In his speech, Mr. Igor Shevyrov, a journalist of Izvestia in Ukraine urged international cooperation in the field of press for peacebuilding. He said, “The “International Peace Network Initiative” with the project of opening a platform for peace journalism, initiated by our organization HWPL, is very relevant, demanded, and it has a steady development which means the prospects are great. The society should be accustomed to peaceful news, and it is important in society to systematically develop a culture of peace.”

Born and raised in Mindanao, a place needing religious-political conflict resolutions, I was pleased to meet the Philippine delegates especially Commissioner Ronald Adamat - the first Teduray Tribe IP Minority leader of the Commission.
"I find HWPL Chairman Man Hee Lee to be a very charismatic leader, he is heaven sent! He's very spiritually prominent and it's wonderful to see such a person. We have to
support him and thaw the line with him”, -Commissioner Ronald Adamat, Commission on Higher Education Republic of the Philippines.

"As the Commissioner on Higher Education of the Philippines, we are mandated to to make policies on the matters of standards and guidelines of all of the state universities in the Philippines. I have 24 State Universities under my stewardship being the Chairman of their governing board, and we are focused on peace education, Commissioner Ronald Adamat said.

"I will move heaven and earth to incorporate peace education into the curriculum, starting with 24 State Universities. With a CMO memorandum order, aiming for 112 State Universities to be promoting peace in the Southern Philippines
"I have a few advocacies namely: Federalism, Indigenous People's Studies, my doctorate in on the Peace and Development, Good Governance  and Agriculture that contributes to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of our nation.

The Martial Law of President Duterte's regime has enhanced the Peace and order once again in the region, Commissioner Adamat retrospects.

Over 60 attendees has attended the 3rd WARP SUMMIT from the Philippine delegation!

To participate in a campaign to END WAR:  www.peacelaw.org



Stating the environment of African press and the need to spread news of peace, Mr. Jean de Dieu Munyembabazi, a journalist at IGIHE Brundi from Rwanda, said, “Freedom of speech in most of the African countries is still a myth, an ideal. As a journalist, I have decided to do my work by sharing evidence and well-researched news and spread it across the country as well as internationally. To do this work, I will share the news for the HWPL platform. People have a right to know what is going on.”

Mr. Ian Seo, Chief Manager of International Press Department, HWPL from South Korea, explained a vision of peace journalism with a network of journalists. “The peace media initiative we are planning to establish will start with a news platform as a website concentrating on peace-related issues, not only covering information of conflicts around the world but also taking account of solutions offered by professional journalists like you. This will allow people to have access to knowledge in every part of the globe regarding peacebuilding,” he said.

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Fil-Oz HWPL Ambassador Australia🇦🇺 🇵🇭 Hernandez spokesperson for Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo commented: 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLPvtzR-OuY&sns=tw via @youtube