HWPL hosts media forum for peace in light of civil unrest

HWPL hosts media forum for peace in light of civil unrest
– Journalists' inspiring and positive coverage is important

Durban, South Africa - As terrorist attacks flooded the local and international news feeds over the past months, a beam of light of hope shone down. Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), one of the biggest international non-governmental organizations in the world called on all media to discuss their responsibility in promoting peace.

On 27 November, HWPL held the second forum in Durban, South Africa with the first initiating the conversation between youth groups, religious leaders and press and media. This time the topic at hand was the responsibility of media in promoting peace. Guest speakers included the 1KZN TV producer Ms. Zama Shandu, Journalist and photographer of Tabloid Newspapers Ms. Se-Anne Koopman, Berea Mail journalist Ms. Lorna Charles, and HWPL representative Mr. Gareth van Niekerk.

Looking back at the xenophobic attacks that took place in the region earlier on this year, Charles shared, "instead of reporting on stories that would intensify the situation of xenophobia in the communities, we looked to how we can get the people to respond positively against xenophobia” adding that people are tired of reading about depressing news, they want to read about inspiring news and that sensational reporting can be exchanged for positive reporting.

Another speaker Se-Anne Koopman stated that media influences what people talk about, so “We need to realize the capacity of our words and the power they yield.’’

As the participants engaged, it was clear that media has to take some form of responsibility to the outlook of the society and to do this, they have to find balance in their reporting and become the voice of the voiceless.

After the three guest speakers’ speech, the HWPL Durban representative Niekerk shared that positive peace work is very infrequently promoted in media and far too often war, conflict and negative things are pushed to the media. He went on to share the chairman’s vision for media reporters, press and media, “Peace is greater than money. Reporters of press and media all over the world, please become messengers with us and broadcast peace activities frequently.’’

On a global scale, HWPL has been actively working towards finalizing a new international law which will address a peaceful and practical solution to the cessation of war, having already established a committee of nineteen globally respected legal experts. In November, the committee assembled in London to draft the 2nd article of the Declaration and Convention on the Renunciation and Cessation of War and Armed Conflicts which is spearheaded by Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL and Chairwoman Nam Hee Kim of International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG).

Chairman Man Hee Lee and the HWPL Peace Delegation have circled the world 21 times meeting heads of states and countless religious, women and youth leaders with a solution-based response to the call of peace.

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