More than 100 participants, including community and religious leaders, gathered at the CUNY School of Law to commemorate the ninth anniversary of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light's international law for peace. The event, co-hosted by multiple religious and community organizations, focused on promoting religious freedom and peaceful coexistence. As an international peace non-governmental organization with special consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council, HWPL's legal framework addresses critical global peace initiatives. The organization's international law encompasses 10 articles and 38 clauses, with the recent event specifically highlighting articles 8-10, which emphasize interfaith harmony and cultural understanding.
The commemoration event aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 16 and 17, which promote peaceful societies and global partnerships for sustainable development. Performances by HWPL volunteers and representatives from the United Sikhs and the Hindu Temple Society of North America underscored the event's collaborative spirit. HWPL Chairman Lee Man-hee, whose remarks were shared during the event, emphasized the collective responsibility in maintaining peace. "There are things that humanity needs to keep to protect peace," Lee stated. "If we don't work for it, who will? So even religions, we should all transcend different authorities and differences but work together as brothers and family for the shared goal of peace."
The New York gathering was part of a global series of commemorative events, with the primary celebration taking place in Cheongju, South Korea. By bringing together diverse religious and community leaders, HWPL continues to advance its mission of fostering international understanding and peaceful coexistence. The event's significance lies in its practical application of HWPL's legal framework, which provides a structured approach to peacebuilding that complements existing international efforts. This gathering demonstrates how grassroots interfaith collaboration can support broader institutional goals, creating a multiplier effect for peace initiatives worldwide.
The emphasis on articles 8-10 of HWPL's law highlights the organization's focus on tangible mechanisms for religious cooperation, which is increasingly important in a global context where religious tensions often fuel conflict. The participation of organizations like United Sikhs and the Hindu Temple Society of North America shows how HWPL's framework facilitates practical interfaith partnerships. As HWPL maintains its special consultative status at ECOSOC, events like this New York gathering help bridge the gap between international policy discussions and community-level peacebuilding efforts. The anniversary commemoration serves as both a celebration of progress and a reminder of the ongoing work required to achieve sustainable peace through legal and cultural frameworks.
