NGO seeks declaration of peace, cessation of war as UN resolution

Ms Amanda Dixon, Administrative Manager of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), New York Branch presenting the achievements of the branch at the pre-commemoration event of the 9th Anniversary of the September 18th World Peace Summit in Seoul South Korea.

By Cecilia Ologunagba

New York, Aug. 21, 2023

An International Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) is gathering support  of UN Member States to adopt the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)  as a resolution.

HWPL is an international peace NGO affiliated with the United Nations Economic and Social Council and the Department of Global Communications.

The Administrative Manager of HWPL New York Branch, Ms. Amanda Dixon made this known at the pre-commemoration event in New York, organised ahead of the 9^th Anniversary of the Sept. 18 World Peace Summit in Seoul, South Korea.

Dixon, who spoke on the achievements of HWPL New York branch from September 2022 to August 2023, said the organisation had been collaborating with religious leaders, UN missions, the media and other stakeholders to advocate for peace.

She said each year, the New York branch organises special events in March as a part of HWPL’s commemoration anniversary regarding the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW).

“During the event, many religious leaders gathered and we were able to talk about 10 articles and 38 clauses in DPCW, seeking to resolve current conflicts present prevent future conflicts and also help to spread a culture of peace

“We are currently gathering support from the Member States within the UN so that we can be able to have DPCW adopted as a UN General Assembly resolution.

“We actually took time to write peace letters during the event, calling for an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine,’’ she said.

She said that the organisation hosted a total of 33 interfaith dialogues with leaders from seven religions in one year.

The HWPL World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Offices, she said, was is actively operating in 130 countries around the world, contributing to preventing religious disputes and promoting harmony through close dialogue and communication between different religions.

“The online event is part of our World Alliance of Religions Peace and so leaders from different religions gathered to engage in Scripture comparison dialogues to find the most trustworthy scripture,’’ the official said.

Dixon said that in December 2022, the branch hosted an event at the UN headquarters titled “Culture Peace, Maintaining Peace and Security for Future Generations,” and was hosted with the Permanent Missions of Nigeria, Ghana and others.

“During the event, the participants had the opportunity to discuss the necessary  steps toward ensuring peace and security and they also highlighted initiatives needed to guarantee peaceful coexistence amongst all people,’’ she said.

The official said that the organisation hosted another event in May to commemorate the International Day of Living Together in Peace in collaboration some  Permanent Missions to mobilising efforts of the international community to promote peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding and solidarity.

In addition, she said the organisation hosted an online event on Feb. 4 to mark the World Interfaith Harmony.

“The event availed the organisation the opportunity for religious leaders and different people from within the community to address the challenges that they are currently facing within their communities, as well as different ways to address these challenges.’’

In addition, the manager said that the branch had celebrated the 10th anniversary of HWPL for working diligently to promote peace and cessation of war.

“We were able to gather together religious leaders who provided their own insight and wisdom and also reflected on the efforts for the past 10 years and what we have been doing to actually promote peace.

“In July, we introduced a new programme – Religious Peace Academy, a four-week programme, where we brought prominent faith leaders together from around the world.

“We brought them together to engage in an enriching study of five different religions with online lectures led by a senior religious expert.

“And so for just one month, all branches of HWPL around the world advertised and promoted this brand-new programme and we were able to gather hundreds of different religious leaders and advocates for peace,’’ she said.

According to her, in February, the New York branch signed an MoU with the Islamic Cultural Association of Chile to promote interfaith dialogues.

Dixon, however, appreciated the efforts of the media in promoting peace in New York and globally.

In her remarks, an award-winning journalist, Cecilia Ologunagba, emphasised the responsibility of the media in promoting peace in the global society filled with conflicts and wars.

Ologunagba, who was the winner of Press Trust of India, Best Development Journalism Scholar in 2018, described the media as messengers of peace and weapons to promote peace.

Ologunagba, who is a UN Correspondent/ North America Bureau Chief for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) described the media as a bridge of communication for all the stakeholders in promoting peace.

According to her, the media has a role to inform and educate all the stakeholders involved in promoting peace.

She, however, emphasised that the media would not be able to perform its function without the collaboration of religious leaders, non-governmental organisations, traditional rulers and other stakeholders.

NAN reports the event featured dance performance by some peace volunteers of the HWPL New York branch.