In the presence of nearly 200,000 people who gathered in the historic Olympic stadium in Seoul, political, religious and civil society leaders climaxed the “World Alliance of Religions Peace Summit 2014” (WARP SUMMIT)—with a clarion call to United Nations and other stake holders in international law to “swiftly legislate a new law” that will call for cessation of all wars and establish ever lasting peace.

At a signing ceremony of Unity of Religions Agreement—which took place during a break in the main plenary session at the 63 Convention Center, more than 50 political leaders (many of them former heads of states and ex-prime ministers) from 30 countries—along with about 680 religious leaders from 120 countries, and 600 hundred members of the International Youth Peace Group who attended the WARP Summit, signed the agreement—underscoring the need to seize wars and advocate for peaceful co-existence among all religious, political, and cultural groups.

The agreement calls on all religious leaders to unite under one purpose—in spite of their different ways of worship, in order to bring wars to an end and leave a peaceful world as a legacy for future generation.

The agreement also urges the UN and other stake holders in international law to re-enact a more effective law that will enforce cessation of war and establish peace, while urging all signatories, as well as about 200 members of the media present, to be peace advocates by conveying the message to all corners of the world.

Convener's Messages The summit convener and Chair of the international center for Heavenly Culture, World Peace, and Restoration of Lights (HWPL), Hon. Man Hee Lee observed that “Throughout our history, it has been the youth and young adults who have had to sacrifice their lives on the front lines of battle.

Despite the fact that they are born into the same world and walk the same earth as any other member of humanity, their lives have been taken from them before they even had the chance to come into fullness. But nobody and no law on this earth has been able to provide compensation for their sacrifice.”

Mr. Man Hee Lee therefore called for an urgent need for bodies like the UN, former heads of states, and leaders of the justice departments of each country to draft and enact a new international law and have current world political leaders to sign the law agreeing to end wars, and be committed to it to encourage it implementation.

Mr. Man Hee Lee also urged the youth to consider themselves as key to peace and stability as they are often the urgent through whom those wars are perpetrated.

The Chairwoman of the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) observed that “This generation is in need of change that is close to reformation. In creating a peaceful world and leaving it as an eternal legacy to future generations, today’s signing ceremony is very significant.”

“This agreement is only a beginning, but is has a tremendous power that will unite a promise with another and turn the whole world into a world of peace. And this one one piece of paper connects one country with another and unites different classes and different religion as one,” She added.

On behalf of youth, President of the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), Steve Kim said the summit “Is important for the youth of IPYG because it is here that we are able to enter the dialogue for peace, a dialogue that is most pertinent to the future of our children, with you the leaders, legislators, and custodians of our world.”

Festival of Peace The Festival of Peace, the grand ceremony which brought together about 200,000 people at the Olympic stadium, was a kaleidoscope of countries, creeds, and cultures —as over 2000 international political, religious, traditional, and civil society leaders joined about 200,000 people at the historic Olympic stadium on September 17 for a festival of peace.

Mere words cannot describe the scenery—but simply put, it was very similar to an opening ceremony of a World Cup or Olympic Games: with the WARP Summit logo perfectly drawn on the field of the stadium by thousands of volunteers in adroit choreography, a “card section” synching in perfect harmony as if being performed by extra-terrestrial creatures, video camera-embedded drones being thrown up above (in the sky) capturing a bird’s eye view of the festival, fire rockets and glitteratis being displayed in repetitive; colorful pattern, and thousands upon thousands of Korean volunteers displaying their obvious ingenuity as they sing and synch their twerks (back and forth) to a peaceful, somber, almost melancholic tune. It was a scene to be seen—in order to be believed!

Political and faith leaders messages Congratulatory messages came from eigth political and religious leaders at the festival. Former President of Romania and President of the Academy for Cultural Diplomacy, Emil Constantinescu, commended Mr. Man Hee Lee for “his exceptional endeavors” by engaging global youth, religious and political leaders, and assured the summit that through the effort of the Chair of the HWPL, the mantle of world peace would be carried by men, women, the youth, and children.

Former Russian Vice President, Alexandria Rutskoy, expressed his support and hoped that the summit will not be a one-time meeting, but a commemorative celebration that will bring practical outcome and reconciliation for world peace.

Other congratulatory statements came from the former South African Vice President Kgalema Motlanthe, Former Irish leader Bertie Ahern, and former president of Croatia, Stjepan Mesic.

Congratulatory message also came from the Grand Mufti of Egypt, Dr. Shawki Ibrahim Abdel-Karim Allam (which was read on his behalf by Prof. Ibrahim Saleh Al-Naimi, Chair of the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue) the Cardinal, Archbishop Emeritus of Manila, Gaudencio B. Rosales, the Jathedar of the Akal Takht, Singh Sahib Giani,as well as the American Orthodox Rabbi, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach.

Heavy lifting—peace agreement But September 18 was the “real heavy lifting”—when the business of peace building took off in marathon session after the main key note session, and singing of peace agreement.

Peace Walk Friday September 19 again brought some 200,000 people for a Walk of World Peace, which took place at the Peace Square of the Olympic Park—and it was climaxed by a press conference where the resolution made during the summit was presented.