More than 100 community and religious leaders gathered at CUNY School of Law to commemorate the ninth anniversary of an international law for peace developed by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), an NGO with special consultative status at the United Nations.
The event, co-hosted by multiple religious organizations including United Sikhs and the Hindu Temple Society of North America, focused on promoting religious freedom and peaceful coexistence among diverse religious and ethnic groups. HWPL's legal framework aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 16 and 17, which aim to create peaceful societies and encourage global partnerships.
HWPL Chairman Lee Man-hee emphasized the collective responsibility for maintaining peace, stating, "If we don't work for it, who will?" His remarks underscored the organization's vision of transcending religious and cultural differences to work collaboratively toward global harmony.
The New York commemoration was part of a series of global events marking the March 14, 2016 proclamation of HWPL's international peace law. With performances by volunteers and representatives from participating organizations, the event highlighted the potential for interfaith dialogue and cooperation in addressing global challenges.
