Global peace Movements: civilian-led Concerted Action for Sustainable Peace
The Year 2021 has been a remarkable year for Zambia. President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA achieved a smooth peaceful democratic transition of power with regular elections without any coup d’état. It shows that Zambia is one of the few countries on the African continent to maintain holding peaceful elections to transfer power.
Not only in Zambia, but many peaceful civilian movements to resolve the conflict and transfer power have also been ongoing in the other countries halfway across the globe although there are serious wars and conflicts in many global community regionally and internationally.
Revolution by candlelight vigils in South Korea
In 2016, around 17 million citizens took to the streets to impeach South Korea’s first female president, Park Geun-hye due to a massive corruption scandal related to bribery and extortion with her confidant, Choi Soon-sil. She was drawn down by civilian-led seventeen weeks of peaceful candlelight protests.
The candlelight protests were remarkable because, despite the massive numbers of people gathered in the streets, they conveyed their serious political views formed with anger and frustration in a peaceful way. Park’s presidential powers were suspended by the unanimous decision of the constitutional court. It was a new milestone to strengthen and institutionalize democracy in South Korea since it was done in the absence of violence.
A Civilian Peace Agreement in Mindanao, Philippines on 24 January 2014
Back to 2014, historically noteworthy change was seen in Mindanao, the southernmost island of the Philippines. There, in spite of many efforts for permanent peace, violent conflict had continued for over 40 years between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). But this dispute that never seemed to end has ceased not by the government level but by the voice and will of the civil society.
On 24 January 2014, the Mindanao Peace Agreement was signed by two representatives, Fernando R. Capella, an Archbishop Emeritus of Archdiocese of Davao, and Esmael Mangudadatu, the governor of Maguindanao, with help of Chairman Man Hee Lee of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) under the watchful eyes of around 300 civilians including region’s politicians, religious leaders, and youths. This was the starting point to take action for sustainable peace in Mindanao.
Mangudadatu signing the World Peace and Cessation of War Agreement (Mindanao Peace Agreement)
(24 January 2014 Mindanao, Philippines)
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), which mediated the Mindanao Peace Agreement, is an international peace NGO working globally to realize peace and cessation of war, a common goal of the global community.
Since then, various initiatives such as establishing city public libraries, interfaith harmony, national peace education, etc. to promote awareness of peace have been in progress across the nation. One of the symbolic events to realize peace in Mindanao is the establishment of the HWPL Peace Monument by celebrating the Mindanao peace agreement.
One example of civilian-led peace action was to celebrate the sustainability of peace with the current and future generations through the efforts of community members and proclaiming January 24 as Peace Day.