Lafaek News–The 9·18 World Peace Summit, hosted by HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light), marks its 11th anniversary this year, with commemorative events being held across various regions around the world. Recently, in Cameroon and Thailand, education and civic leaders participated in programs featuring an introduction to HWPL, the screening of a representative video, peace discussions, and project reports, leading to growing interest in peace education and active discussions on future cooperation in each country.
Following this global momentum, a citizens’ peace forum commemorating the 11th anniversary of the HWPL World Peace Summit was also held recently in Sakai City, Japan.
[Sakai City, Japan] – The international peace NGO HWPL announced that it successfully hosted a citizens’ peace forum commemorating the 11th anniversary of the 9·18 World Peace Summit on October 11 at the Sakai City Industrial Promotion Center.
The event marked an expansion of the platform for substantial discussions on peace—originating from Cheongju, South Korea, in September—now extending across borders and generations to Japan
◈ Civil Society Must Drive Peace Implementation
Held under the theme “What Peace Can We Achieve If We Unite?” the forum brought together participants of various nationalities—including Japan, Korea, China, and Myanmar—ranging in age from university students to those in their seventies.The discussions moved beyond slogans to explore a practical roadmap for peace initiatives, reaching a shared conclusion that civil society must be the principal driver of peace implementation.
Miura Shunichi, Vice-Chairman of the Nishinari Kamagasaki Labor Union, expressed his surprise at the high engagement of young people and women in HWPL’s activities. He expressed particular concern over the situation in Okinawa, where about 70 percent of U.S. military bases in Japan are concentrated, even though the island accounts for only 0.6 percent of the country’s total land area. The region has long faced challenges such as noise pollution, crime, environmental degradation, and land occupation resulting from military activities, leading to mounting frustration among local residents.Vice-Chairman Miura stated that recognizing the gravity of the Okinawa issue during the forum motivated him to participate more actively in HWPL’s peace initiatives.
Kitagawa Kazuya, a Hiroshima Peace Guide, welcomed the opportunity to hear diverse perspectives. He recalled a recent conversation with his grandmother, who expressed fear that “Japan is drifting toward war” and pleaded that her grandson “not die on a battlefield.” Kitagawa said this deeply personal concern strengthened his determination to help create a world without war
◈ From Slogans to Action: A Roadmap for Peace
Participants unanimously agreed that “Peace must no longer remain a slogan.”Based on the discussions, they resolved to formulate a practical roadmap for local and international peace initiatives and to take immediate steps toward implementation.
The HWPL Kobe Branch announced plans to develop community-based action frameworks that reflect citizens’ voices and foster tangible improvements in society. Through these efforts, the branch aims to establish a virtuous cycle of civic engagement, encouraging more people to participate in the peace movement.
