London, UK – On 13 November 2015, the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) hosted the ‘IWPG Peace Forum’ to urge the implementation of the International Convention on the Cessation of War and Achievement of World Peace at Clothworkers’ Hall in London. The Forum mainly discussed the role of women in the implementation of the International Convention and was attended by numerous women leaders.
“Only when we become one in heart and gather our efforts to urge for peace, we can do so much more than we do separately,” said Ms. Nam Hee Kim, Chairwoman of the IWPG. She underlined the integral role youth and women play in achieving peace. “When we raise active awareness on how crucial the implementation of the Convention on the Cessation of Wars is, this initiative will be unstoppable by any forms of authority or wealth. Let us all become messengers of peace and speak up for the implementation of the Convention in one voice.”
The IWPG Peace Forum was followed by a Media Conference where journalists from well-known media organizations such as Arab Telegraph attended. The conference provided an opportunity to explore peace campaigns and projects that Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) and the IWPG have initiated. Six journalists and four women leaders were appointed as HWPL Publicity Ambassadors, pledging to accurately and widely report on the work of peace.
On 15 November 2015, at the University of Oxford, HWPL Chairman, Mr. Man Hee Lee delivered a closing speech at the Model United Nations (MUN) conference, underling the significant role youth of this generation can play. “If we wish to permanently end all wars and armed conflicts, youth and woman should act as watchmen of each state, overseeing the progress of the International Convention on the Cessation of War to ensure global peace.” This year’s Oxford International MUN was the largest and most prestigious conference where key world issues were discussed and participants could listen to illustrious guest speakers from across the globe.
Having encountered the harsh realities of war crimes against youth first hand, Chairman Lee strongly appealed to the audience and all individuals – “Even before their precious lives fully blossom and receive proper education, should youth ever be forcibly taken away from their mothers and be trained and used as tools to satisfy the greed of others? We must compensate for the lives lost in the midst of all conflicts by providing access to education, especially regarding various peace initiatives to those who are still forced to carry out non-peaceful activities in the world.”
Prior to the events above, Chairman Lee and the HWPL Peace Delegation met with HWPL International Law Peace Committee members and renowned international law scholars to discuss the 2nd draft of the International Convention on the Cessation of War and International Armed Conflicts, the core initiative of HWPL.
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HWPL, one of the biggest international non-governmental organizations, has played a decisive role in ending numerous civil conflicts by Peace Agreements. The organization hosted the 1st Annual Commemoration of the World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Summit in September 2015, which provided a platform to present the 1st draft of the Convention on the Cessation of War and International Armed Conflicts through its International Law Peace Committee. Leaders from around the world are helping to accelerate the implementation of the Convention.
The IWPG is an international women’s peace organization actively working with over 700,000 members from 179 branches in 40 countries worldwide. As an active supporting organization of HWPL’s peace movement, the IWPG is currently leading the way to support women’s peace activities worldwide, including various volunteer services, academic education, and cultural and artistic exchanges.