Peace Summit concludes discussing media’s role for peace-building
The global peace summit and festival celebrating the 3rd Annual Commemoration of the Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) concluded in Seoul, Republic of Korea discussing the implementation of peace building initiatives and seeking role of media for sustainable peace across the world.
A 3-day peace summit began with 1,100 representatives of states, IGOs, NGOs, and experts in international law, education, and media from approximately 120 countries on September 17 whereas the peace festival was held at Hwaseong Sports Complex in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, 200,000 people in 30 countries including USA, South Africa, United Kingdom, China, and the Philippines participated in the summit through live broadcasting.
Organized by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), an international NGO under UN ECOSOC, the 3rd Annual Commemoration of the WARP Summit addressed global peace-building measures through the establishment of collaborative governance among governments, civil society, and international organizations. Development in peace campaigns and projects was endorsed in many parts of the world through the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) proclaimed in 2016 to advocate international cooperation to establish peace as a norm and culture.
Man Hee Lee, Chairman of HWPL, said, “This precious and indispensable gift was bestowed upon the human race as a legacy from heaven. Who must protect our world? It is us, the family of the global village. Neither wealth nor power can be passed down as a heritage if we fail to stop wars. Mankind and our Earth will share a fatal destiny.” Nam Hee Kim, Chairwoman of International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG), said “We already know the solution, the answer, to achieve peace, but if we do not act upon it, what will happen to the fate of this world? The choices we make can change the world. We must unite and show the world the strong influence that peace can make.”
Colorful parade and performances were shown to raise awareness of peace-building at the second day of the summit. The card section performance prepared by volunteers of the summit appealed to participants with images regarding a peaceful world achieved by global cooperation.
Meanwhile, the ‘Conference for Global Peace Media Network’ with 90 journalists from about 50 countries sought freedom of the press in relation to the role of journalism in the foundation of a global media network for peace-building. The conference attended by media rights advocates and journalists discussed role of free media in establishing sustainable peace across the world. “Journalism plays a significant role in delivering the collective voice of the global community for the same, common goal of peace. Now is the time for connecting the local and the national by the governance of peace,” said Ian Seo, Chief Manager of International Press Department of HWPL HQ. He also introduced the initiative of the peace media network platform of HWPL.
A five member media team of Nepal also attended the conference and peace festival. Discussing the role of media in sustainable peace during the Nepal-Media Meeting with HWPL Laxman Datt Pant, Chairperson of Media Action Nepal (MAN) highlighted the status of media freedom in Nepal. “An alliance of media workers and journalists is needed for the implementation of DPCW”, he added.