We are now facing one of the most critical moments in the global village. Humanity stands at a crossroads—between peace and war. If we unite our hearts today, we can end war and destruction. Then, the peaceful world we have longed for will be realized and become an everlasting legacy for future generations.
HWPL Chairman Lee Man-Hee
Part 4
Georgia: From the Peach State to the Peace State
Part 1
The Heart of the American South, Where History and Diversity Thrive: Georgia
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) PEACE EDUCATION
The United States of America, Georgia
Location
Southeastern
United States
Language
Area
Approximately 153,910 km² (24th largest state in the U.S.)
English Religion Christianity, Catholicism, etc
Population
Approximately 11.18 million (As of 2024)
Race and ethnicity
Capital City
Atlanta
White (51.9%), African American (31%), Hispanic or Latino (10.5%), Asian (4.5%), etc (As of 2020)
“The Place Where Martin Luther King Jr.'s Dream Began” I have a dream
“Darkness
cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
“A Garden Where Plants and Art Meet: Atlanta Botanical Garden”
“A Skyline Painted with Light”
“The Heart of Soul Food in the American South”
The American South is known for its warm and comforting dishes -fried chicken, mac and cheese, cornbread, and pecan pie. These foods are more than just meals; they symbolize love, community, and a culture of sharing with family and neighbors.
Part 2
Youth in the Shadow of Crime
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) PEACE EDUCATION
Schools That Are No Longer Safe
School Shooting
School shootings in the United States pose a direct threat to the lives of students and educators, transforming schools—places meant for learning and growth—into spaces filled with fear and anxiety. Despite the increasing number of victims each year, progress on gun control remains limited due to ongoing social and political conflicts over firearm ownership.
School Violence
Bullying and cyber violence in U.S. schools leave deep scars on students' self-esteem and mental health, with a rising number of heartbreaking cases leading to extreme outcomes. As digital environments expand, this violence increasingly spills beyond school walls, becoming more covert and persistent—posing a continuous threat to students everywhere.
The Innocent Victims of School Shootings
In places meant to be safe—our schools—we have tragically lost beloved children, friends, and teachers to gun violence.
On September 4, 2024, Georgia witnessed the deadliest school shooting in its history. A 14-year-old student opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle, targeting 11 people and resulting in 4 deaths and 7 injuries.
Incidents of School Mass Shootings in the United States (2013-2021)
School Violence
That Scars the Minds of Children
School violence is no longer limited to physical bullying. With the rise of digital technology, it has expanded into cyberspace, taking on more subtle, persistent, and difficultto-detect forms—causing deeper emotional harm.
-Approximately 30% of students are involved in bullying, either as victims or perpetrators.
-64% of students have experienced cyberbullying, and in 25% of those cases, it escalated to physical violence.
-19% of high school students reported being bullied at school in the past 12 months, and 14.9% experienced cyberbullying.
Source: LLCBuddy, "2025 Georgia School Violence Statistics"
Peace Education for Our Tomorrow
HWPL’s Peace Education is a practical program that helps students not only learn the values of peace but also apply them in their daily lives. It fosters non-violent conflict resolution skills, empathy, respect for others, and a sense of global citizenship—offering a sustainable solution that tackles root causes and helps prevent future conflict.
Part 3 Dreams Fulfilled Through Peace Education
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) PEACE EDUCATION
People around the world— regardless of nationality, culture, or background—do not want war; they want peace.
The Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) was proclaimed on March 14, 2016, at 3:14 PM in Seoul, Republic of Korea.
HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light), a non-governmental organization registered under the Seoul Metropolitan Government, holding special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and associated with the UN Department of Global Communications (DGC), has consistently advocated for the establishment of a new, legally binding international framework for building lasting peace.
The DPCW was finalized with a Preamble and 10 Articles comprising 38 Clauses, following deliberations in 2015 by the HWPL International Law Peace Committee, composed of legal experts from various countries.
HWPL is implementing peace education to promote a culture of peace in support of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW).
Objectives of Peace Education:
· Raising awareness of peace
· Inspiring individuals to become active agents of peace
· Encouraging voluntary participation in peace-building activities
Excerpts from the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)
Article 1 – Prohibition of the Threat or Use of Force
1. States should solemnly reaffirm that they refrain from the use of force in all circumstances, save where permitted by international law, and should condemn aggression as constituting an international crime.
2. States should refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of military force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations Charter or international law in general.
Article 3 – Friendly Relations and the Prohibition of Acts of Aggression
3. States should condemn the illegal occupation of territory, resulting from the threat or use of force in a manner contrary to international law.
Article 4 – State Boundaries
1. In accordance with United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2625 (XXV), every State has the duty to refrain in its international relations from military, political, economic, or any other form of coercion aimed against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations. It is without prejudice to instances when such forms of coercion may be lawfully applied, inter alia, to induce States to cease internationally wrongful acts, or when sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council.
2. Every State has the duty to refrain from the threat or use of force to violate the existing internationally recognized boundaries of another State, or as a means of resolving international disputes, including territorial and frontier disputes, in a manner inconsistent with international law.
Article 5 – Self-Determination
1. The duty of every State to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any other State includes the duty to not engage in any action that would result in the dismemberment of any State, or force the secession or annexation of any territorial unit from that State.
Article 10 – Spreading a Culture of Peace
1. States should recognize and engage with groups and organizations that seek to further the cause of peace as a global movement. States should facilitate such groups in their awareness-raising activities, including providing tuition in human rights and peace studies, as provided for, inter alia, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1999 UN Declaration on a Culture of Peace.
2. States should recognize that, in order to preserve a lasting culture of peace, public awareness of the need for, and value of, peace should be created. In this regard, States are encouraged to facilitate activities, commemorations, and initiatives that engage public consciousness with peace, including the erection of peace monuments as an alternative to war monuments.
3. Heads of State and heads of government should acknowledge that they are uniquely well placed to encourage a culture of peace, and should act to support this declaration to bring about the cessation of war.
Building a Foundation for Students to Achieve Their Dreams through Peace Education
The “Peace Leadership Academy for Youth (PLAY),”
PLAY program developed specifically for the Atlanta area in Georgia, is grounded in HWPL’s peace education framework. The program aims to nurture peace-minded citizens who embody the values and spirit of peace, while also providing practical solutions to the urgent issue of school violence in the state.
In April 2024, a pilot program was conducted with 10 juvenile offenders to assess its effectiveness and operational structure. This trial served as a foundational step toward the program’s full-scale implementation.
Jason Alderage CEOofCompromisingChoices
Peace education is essential for young people. It becomes even more meaningful because it allows us to teach them something new.
Singing Peace with All Our Hearts
The Atlanta Young Adult Youth Choir Inc., composed of students who have received peace education, created an original song and filmed a music video inspired by the values of peace they learned.
Through this cultural expression, the students aim to contribute to building a more peaceful and compassionate society.
What meant the most to me during this HWPL Peace Camp was the opportunity to once again share the message I’ve carried throughout my 22 years in education: “You are a valuable and important person in this world—and where is this world heading?”
Through this peace activity, I came to believe that if we continue on this path, the world will surely change for the better.
With the talents we’ve been given, I hope we can move hearts and share a peace so deep it becomes unforgettable.
“ ”
“Sacrifice” — A music video created by students who received peace education
The First Peace Education Conducted in a Public School in the State of Georgia “
Peace education was introduced at a public school in Gwinnett County, the largest county in Georgia.
Motivated by a desire to make a positive impact in their community, students came together to form the Peace Leadership Academy Club.
United by a shared commitment to promoting peace within their school and beyond, these students are now actively engaged in peace education initiatives.
Kimberly Mahmud PeaceEducatorandParentatShilohHighSchool
Together, we can build a culture of peace that transcends borders and empowers the next generation. Let us work hand in hand to equip youth with the values and skills they need to lead the world with harmony and understanding.
For today, and for all generations to come, let us turn peace from a distant dream into a living reality.
Sunrise Middle School Peer Counseling Peace Education
Peace education was introduced through a peer counseling class designed to support students’ mental well-being. Students explored the idea that “peace begins with recognizing one’s own value” and created collage artworks that reflected their personal values. As part of the activity, they also wrote messages of peace and displayed them on the cafeteria bulletin board, sharing their hopes for peace with the entire school community.
I hope this peace education helps students realize how valuable they truly are.
100 Black Men of Dekalb County Inc.
Peace Education
Prominent intellectuals who have contributed to American society served as mentors in a three-month Peace Leadership Academy program, meeting with students every two weeks.
Participating students expressed that, beyond what they learn from textbooks, they hoped to gain a deeper understanding of how to create peace and build harmonious relationships with their peers. They also shared a strong sense of responsibility to apply what they learned in their own schools and pledged to become leaders of peace.
In 2024, a total of 75 students successfully completed the program.
100 Black Men of Dekalb County Inc. Peace Education - Summer of Peace
Phillip G. Finch Former Education Committee Board Member of100BlackMenofDeKalbCounty,Inc.
Students in the Leadership Academy have greatly benefited from Peace Education. They have witnessed firsthand the positive impact it has on their lives at home, at school, and within their communities. Each student who completed the most recent Peace Education class received a “Peace Advocate” pin, which they were encouraged to wear openly as a conversation starter about peace. As a result, many students have begun to place peace as a top priority in their lives.
Peace Education has also deeply influenced those of us who deliver the training. Students learn more and internalize peace concepts when they see these values authentically practiced by their mentors. When students sense our genuine commitment, they are more likely to embrace and apply these principles in their own lives.
In today’s America, marked by fear, uncertainty, and distrust, it is more important than ever to put peace at the center of all our actions. Peace Education helps us turn toward one another instead of against each other. It reminds us that every person is valuable and deserves love and respect.
Peace Education within the SouthSide Soul Youth Empowerment Program
Students learned the values of peace through peace education and created a rap inspired by those values. In their lyrics, they expressed a strong determination to become influential figures who make a positive impact on the world—just like Martin Luther King Jr.
“The world’s sick — feels like it needs a diagnosis Kids killing kids, and nobody even notices It’s getting darker, pain getting deeper So I put my soul in these songs, make the message reach ya
We’re young leaders with voices that shine, With Southern soul, we dream big every time.
I know my worth, I was born for a reason. Been that way since the very first season.
I’ve always dreamed like Martin Luther King. We’re young kings, destined to do great things. Royal blood runs deep in my DNA. We’ve got to rise — no matter the way.” By Any Means
Lyrics and Composition by Peace Education Students
Peace Education Travels Through the Radio
Hindsight Media Radio, a long-time partner of HWPL, hosts a podcast that regularly shares messages of peace and updates on ongoing peace efforts.
Index
The Impact of Peace Education on Students Original State of All Creation
A Reason for All Creation Living in Harmony What Broke Peace in the World of Humankind
The Restoration of Order and Relation in the Human World
Being Grateful for Kindness and Grace Being Considerate of the Benefit of Others
A Sacrifice Without Compensation Understanding and Forgiving Others
Respect for Elders
Efforts towards Preservation of Heritage
Law-Abiding Spirit and DPCW
Completion of Peace Humanity Has Long-awaited
Reflection from a Peace Educator
The Impact of Peace Education and the SOS World Peace Podcast
Peace education is a key tool for creating a more just and compassionate world. Its effectiveness goes beyond structured lessons—it requires a deep commitment to empathy, intercultural dialogue, and critical reflection. When delivered with sincerity, it empowers individuals to turn conflict into connection and ideas into meaningful change.
The 12-week peace education course clearly showed this potential. With thoughtful design and skilled facilitation, the program presented complex themes in accessible and moving ways. Participants experienced real transformation through self-reflection, community engagement, and practical application.
The facilitator fostered a safe, inclusive space where diverse perspectives could be shared freely. Through this, I grew both intellectually and personally, deepening my understanding of peace.
A key part of this journey was the SOS Global Peace Podcast, produced by HWPL Georgia in partnership with Hindsight Media Radio. This platform amplifies diverse voices and deepens global peace discussions. Each episode reflects peace education values—curiosity, empathy, and critical thinking—while offering insight into real-world peacebuilding.
Notably, HWPL launched the podcast in collaboration with Hindsight Media Radio. This partnership expanded the podcast’s reach, strengthening its role as a bridge between local community media and global dialogue.
Together, the 12-week peace education program and the podcast stand as a model of what can be achieved through innovative content and meaningful collaboration. The team’s efforts went beyond sharing knowledge—they inspired people and opened pathways for sustainable dialogue and systemic change.
Alaquest Collaborative for Education(ACE) Peace Camp
During the peace camp, students engaged in activities designed to explore how peace can be achieved through understanding, forgiveness, and gratitude in the face of conflicts arising from diversity. They began by sharing the meaning behind their names as a way to foster inclusion, followed by a self-portrait frame activity that deepened their understanding of one another.
The camp concluded with a reflection segment that included releasing negative emotions caused by past conflicts and creating a “gratitude jar” to cultivate a mindset of appreciation.
Cool Girls Inc. Peace Camp
On the first day of the two-day peace camp, students explored the value of diversity and how it fosters harmony. They expressed their understanding through creative artwork. On the second day, students reflected on what they are grateful for and wrote down their thoughts. Before the session, many said they had nothing to be thankful for, but by the end, they recognized a deep appreciation for their parents’ quiet and unwavering love.
Men in the Kingdom Spring Fun Fest Peace Camp
A local community sponsor partnered with HWPL to host a spring festival celebrating the value of peace. Outside, various booths were set up, while inside, HWPL screened the documentary “The Great Legacy,” which portrays the peacebuilding process in the Mindanao region of the Philippines.
In another hall, a panel of six high school students held a discussion on the theme of “Love.” The discussion was broadcast live via an online platform, sharing the importance of peace with a broad audience.
Friends of Refugees
Providing Education and Empowerment(F.R.E.E)
Peace Camp
Refugee children discovered their self-worth by decorating personalized picture frames with a variety of colors. They also engaged in activities that encouraged them to reflect on the things they are grateful for. Through these experiences, they learned how to cooperate with others from different backgrounds, taking their first steps toward becoming citizens of peace.
The HWPL Peace Educator Training was truly an educational and valuable experience. I believe that impacting even one person directly will ultimately influence us all indirectly. With what I’ve learned from this training, I feel confident in applying peace education to bring positive change to others’ lives.
Now, there is only one thing left for us to do—take action. I am ready and will continue moving forward.
“ ”
Fostering Sustainable Cooperation
through a Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) with HWPL
HWPL’s Georgia branch has officially signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with 14 organizations and continues to maintain active partnerships. Through these agreements, HWPL collaborates with schools and nonprofit organizations to jointly promote peace education, community events, and campaigns— contributing to the expansion of a culture of peace across the state of Georgia.
Part 4 Georgia: From the Peach State to the Peace State
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL)
PEACE EDUCATION
HWPL Georgia Branch
Annual “Day of Peace” Event
The “Day of Peace” event held at the Georgia State Capitol honored HWPL’s initiatives and demonstrated support for the peace movement. During the ceremony, eight students who participated in the pilot program of the Peace Leadership Academy for Youth (PLAY) received certificates of achievement from Georgia State Representative El-Mahdi Holly.
February 13, 2025 — Georgia State Capitol, Atlanta, USA
Maya Taylor President of Arrow Youth Council
Children are born with pure hearts, knowing neither hatred nor harm. However, as they grow, they begin to learn hatred and violence from the society around them.
For children to grow up in peace, social well-being, socioeconomic opportunities, social justice, and equitable access to education must be ensured. At the core of this, the active participation of youth in peacebuilding efforts is more important than anything else.
DeKalb County, Atlanta, Georgia
— Reborn as a County
of Peace
On June 10, 2025, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners in Georgia, USA, officially designated DeKalb County as a “County of Peace” in support of HWPL Georgia’s peace initiatives. Furthermore, the county encouraged the expansion of peace education throughout all communities to foster a new culture of unity among citizens and neighborhoods. The resolution was unanimously adopted by all members of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners present at the meeting.
June 10, 2025 — DeKalb County, Georgia Resolution Proposal and Proclamation Ceremony for the Designation of “County of Peace”
Legislative Proclamation Excerpt
HWPL Georgia is focused on community revitalization through legislation, peace education, and local engagement to establish a culture of peace. HWPL advocates for conflict resolution, respect for international law, interfaith harmony, and the spread of peace culture through education and media.
Recognized for its credibility and the importance of its peace framework by international organizations including the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC),
HWPL organizes cooperation with local initiatives.
HWPL Georgia’s Legislation for Peace (LP) program aims to build sustainable peace infrastructure within communities through peace-centered local governance, education, and civic participation.
Several institutions in DeKalb County and the Atlanta metro area have introduced the Peace Leadership Academy for Youth (PLAY) program to various educational and community organizations, signing Memorandums of Understanding to implement peace education.
By designating DeKalb County as a “County of Peace,” we call on other city governments within DeKalb County and counties across Georgia to support the expansion of peace education and the adoption of the PLAY program, joining efforts to transform Georgia from the “Peach State” into the “Peace State.”
Accordingly, Michelle Long Spears, Commissioner and Chair of District 2 of DeKalb County, officially designated DeKalb County as a “County of Peace” and encouraged the expansion of peace education throughout the county to foster a new culture of unity among all citizens and communities.
Dated: June 10, 2025
DeKalb County - Legislative Proclamation
City of South Fulton, Georgia
Proclamation of the “Week of Peace”
On May 28, 2025, the City Council of South Fulton, Georgia, officially recognized the goals and values of the Legislate Peace (LP) program promoted through PLAY4PEACE activities by the Arrow International Youth Leadership Council, in partnership with HWPL Georgia and IPYG’s Youth Engagement & Peacebuilding Working Group (YEPW).
The council adopted Article 10 of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), which emphasizes spreading a culture of peace, and proclaimed June 6 to 8 as the official “Week of Peace.” The resolution was unanimously approved by the City Council, establishing the Week of Peace as an annual city-level initiative.
City of South Fulton Proclamation
“Our duty in this era is none other than peace. We must prevent the continued loss of countless young lives.”
