Participants of the WARP Summit pose for a group photo as Man Hee Lee, the chairman of HWPL, Nam Hee Kim, the chairwoman of IWPG, former heads of state and incumbent chiefs of government of 20 countries, 2,000 leaders of the religious sector, youth groups and women’s groups gathered at the Olympic Stadium in Seoul, Sept. 17.

eptember 17 at the Jamsil Olympic Stadium in Seoul, which was led by the parade of world leaders through the  Gate of Peace: Emil Constantinescu, former president of Romania; Alessandro Ritzko, former vice president of Russia; and many religious leaders from around the globe including Gaudencio Rosales, Archbishop of Manila, the Philippines. The chairman of HWPL and the chairwoman of IWPG followed the parade through the Peace Gate to mark the official opening of the WARP Summit. The opening ceremony featured a large-scale colorful card section performed by around 12,000 people. 

The summit began with the opening remarks from Man Hee Lee, the chairman of HWPL, followed by the entrance of the International Youth Peace Group (IYPG) and female leaders that joined the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG). 

World leaders enter the Jamsil Olympic Stadium in Seoul through the Gate of Peace at the opening ceremony of World Alliance of Religions: Peace Summit on Sept. 17.

In his speech, Lee talked about how mothers have sacrificed everything for their children throughout history. He pointed to the fact that no political action can compensate for the sacrifice and the loss when a life is lost at war. He then called for the legislation of international laws to bring an end to all wars and invited political leaders to sign a peace agreement for world peace. 

Lee continued in his speech: “A true God would never create conflict among people to make them kill one another. The task of our generation is to create peace. We should end all wars, create peace and pass it on to the next generation as a legacy.” 

Nam Hee Kim, chairwoman of IWPG said that women can bring peace to the world with mother’s heart. She also said: “This summit is the best way to bring peace to all mankind, only made possible by the help of God. Many of world leaders have been making efforts to bring peace to the world. Now, we should become also light for peace to make this light more powerful.” 

After her speech, Emil Constantinescu, former president of Romania, Gaudencio Rosales, Archbishop of Manila, the Philippines made speeches followed by 10 political and religious leaders.

Many participants talked about the opening day of the summit. Congratulatory video remarks from the delegations were on screen followed by a series of art performances that signified world peace and harmony. Once the performance named The Feast of Lights had begun, the Seoul Olympics Stadium was filled with the twinkling of flashlights. Everyone in the audience became a part of the performance. "Arirang for Peace" was the highlight of that night's performances where all participants played a part. ‘The World is One and All Together’ was the theme of a collaboration of various art groups such as a samulnori band (traditional Korean drums), Korean trumpets band, and a marching band. 

HWPL chairman Man Hee Lee raises his hands up after his speech at the opening ceremony of the WARP Summit on September 17

Religious Leaders Sign Peace Agreement at World Alliance of Religions: Peace Summi

Religious leaders signed a peace agreement on September 18 at WARP Summit, which was held at the 63 Convention Center in Yeouido, Seoul, hosted by HWPL based in Seoul.

The Peace Agreement was signed by many religious leaders including Cardinal Antonio Ledesma of the Philippines; C. Maharaj, the representative of the largest Hindu temple in India; the top Buddhist monk, A. Nyanissara of the Sosin Buddhist Sect.; Archbishop Martin de Jesus of the Episcopalian Church in El Salvador; and Rep. G. Singh Ji of the Sikhism.

The agreement stated that religious leaders must unite religions as one under the creator in order to bring all wars to an end and leave world peace as a legacy for future generations. While signing the peace agreement, the religious leaders pledged their commitment to world peace in front of all the guests. 

The conference which began at 10 a.m. opened with the keynote speech  by Haris Silajdzic, the former president of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Emil Constantinescu, former president of Romania. Leaders of Catholic, Sheik Islam, Buddhist, Hindu, Episcopalian and Jewish Churches also delivered speeches on conflicts and peace.

“Time over time, religion has been used for personal interests, and this often caused conflict,” said Silajdzic, former president of Bosnia-Herzegovina. He added that the peace summit will not be in vain if all the attendees can keep their children from being involved in war. 

Foreign dignitaries join a parade, the last leg of the gathering at the main stadium on Sept. 17, boosting the festive mood.

The Hindu representative C. Maharaj, a Mahatma Gandhi Humanitarian Award winner and this year’s “Man of India” said: “we are gathered here, the same as UN does. I am very glad that I could come despite many emails saying to me not to participate in this Summit. But your passion for peace made me so happy, and I am moved very much.” He also emphasized that our actions can bring change. 

Tawakkol Karman, the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner to date gave the last keynote speech. She said: “we should not talk about conflicts between the religions, but between religious people. People who abuse religion for the sake of their own interests, and groups of people who interpret the religion as they want are the problems.”

Lee, chairman of HWPL said in his speech that all religions should be united as one and that one’s faith must be proven by actions to show its true value. “Everyone has a choice between 

peace and war”, he said. “If we are united as one, we can prevent wars and create a peaceful world that we can pass on to the next generation.” 

The summit’s afternoon program had five sessions on ending wars and bringing peace. The five sessions include the women’s session and the session for religious leaders. In each session, incumbent and former heads of states and experts from diverse fields including politics, the justice system, religion and peace workers discussed ways to make real progress for world peace. During the talks, international laws were proposed that would bring all member states and organizations to stop wars.

HWPL Chairman Man Hee Lee, former presidents and religious leaders pose for a group photo after signing the Peace Agreement for Grand Integration of All Religions on Sept. 18 at the 63 Convention Center in Yeouido, Seoul.

Peace Walk at Seoul Olympic Park on the last day of the summit

Following the day the peace agreements were signed, over 30,000 people including 650 youth groups from 139 countries joined the Peace Walk at Seoul Olympic Park on the last day of the summit. Participants shouted “We want peace” as they marched.

At the Peace Walk, Du-Hyun Kim, the director of IPYG delivered his speech saying, “This walk will gather the minds of the young people around the world.” 

Participants cheer as Man Hee Lee, the chairman of HWPL (center), Nam Hee Kim, the chairwoman of IWPG (right) and Du Hyun Kim, the director of IPYG shout  together in celebration, "The God of Peace", "The World Alliance of Religions: Peace Summit" and "Families of Peace."

Press Conference 

At the press conference which was held in downtown Seoul on 15, 16, and 19 of September, the chairman of HWPL told the reporters about his world tour over the past two years where he had met with incumbent and former heads of state to discuss measures for world peace. 

The press conferences on 15, 16, and 19 of September got the media's attention from home and abroad with approximately 260 journalists from over 80 countries covering the events.

During his world tour, Lee has proposed a peace agreement and a provision in international laws to end wars. “Isn’t that the right way to end all wars?” he asked with a big smile. Lee stressed how important a role the media plays in ushering in world peace.

Nam Hee Kim, the chairwoman of IWPG marveled at Lee’s enthusiasm for his peace work saying his old age has never stopped him from travelling around the world 14 times to meet with world leaders for the peace agreement.

Finally, Lee, the chairman of HWPL pointed out once again that difference in beliefs has often been the cause of wars and that it is because the corruption in religions. He called upon religious communities to unite as one in order to end all wars caused by religious differences.

(By Lee Jae-jun)