The Coptic Church is participating in the 2nd Annual Commemoration of September 18th World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Summit” (WARP) from 17 to 19 September in Seoul. The summit is hosted by HWPL which stands for Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light.
Some 1,000 public figures from 120 countries around the world are taking part in the event; this includes former presidents, current ministers of State, chief justices, high-level government officials, and representatives of youth and human rights groups.
Participating were also 250 clerics from 25 countries, representing 16 different religions. Fr Abraham Emil, secretary of the clerical council of Alexandria represented the Coptic Orthodox Church on behalf of Pope Tawadros II. Fr Abraham delivered a word on the Bible as the main source of the Coptic Church’s teachings.
The main focus of the discussions was how religions can make one voice for peace.
Participants in the event took part in various meetings to activate the implementation of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW). They covered such topics as the role of the legal system in resolving religious conflicts, and the current role of the International Court of Justice of the United Nations in resolving armed conflicts.
In the 2014 WARP Summit, HWPL signed the Agreement to Propose the Enactment of International Law for the Cessation of Wars and World Peace. In September of 2015, HWPL launched the HWPL International Law Peace Committee, which consists of international law scholars, professors, and chief justices. In March of 2016, HWPL proclaimed the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War, along with international law experts from various countries.
Following the Declaration, the “Legislate Peace” Campaign (a global advocacy movement aimed at establishing international law consistent with the DPCW) has been conducted worldwide. Since its beginning in March, 535,493 people from 167 different countries have signed their support for the DPCW.
Watani International
18 September 2016