Peace and Nobel Peace Prize

Peace and Nobel Peace Prize

 

There comes up some headlines from around the world that nominees for Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 are registered.

 

Nobel Peace Prize is an award given to the one who has an outstanding achievement of the promotion in peace and disarmament. Among the nominees, three of them are receiving international attentions: Edward Joseph Snowden who revealed the indiscriminate intelligence collection activities of National Security Agency (NSA) of U.S.A, Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution which banned wars and military possession, and Russian President Vladimir Putin who contributed to the settlement of conflict in Syria.

 

After Red Cross Society's founder, Henry Dunant won the 1st Nobel Peace Prize, there are so many people and organizations that won the prize for about 100 years. There are 5 representatives, for example: Mother Teresa, 14th Dalai Lama who contribute to independence movement of Tibet, Aung San Suu Kyi who struggled nonviolently for achieving Myanmar's democracy and human rights. Also Nelson Mandela who struggled for democracy and end of racial discrimination, and president Dae-jung Kim who made a great effort for Korea's democracy, human rights and reconciliation between North and South.

 



But why are wars still existed on the earth, even a lot of people made efforts and sacrificed their lives for achieving peace? Why is real peace still not coming to reality? I think it is because there might be a few people who have done actions for trying to put our dreams that achieve peace into practice and working hard, as the proverb 'Action speaks louder than words' goes. So, I think now is the right moment when people and organizations that really put works for peace into action are needed.

I eagerly hope the one who works for the peace in and forward 2014 will be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. And I also wish for coming the real peace to the earth soon.

 

War movie and War documentary

War movie and War documentary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On this June, I think about peace, the world without wars.
 

Yesterday night, I watched a documentary which was saying about ‘Obama and Truman, their dilemma of war’.The documentary was based on British’s sarcastic words to president Obama, that was America about Korean war.
 

Some of the british journalists and politicians were derogating and disregarding South Korea which had been weak and poor at that time. As a citizen of South Korea, having watched that, I was seriously mad and sad.
 

Every country looks so busy to self-justify and excuse their behaviors in the documentaries or movies which deal with all the wars that had happened in the world including Korean war. So, these kind of movies look pretty stupid, not somber and serious. I guess people who make this kind of movie or documentary would have dilemma.
 

Chief of state, generals and scientists could regret because results of war are different from what they intended first. And some of them live their lives with guilt and stress injuries caused by a psychological trauma of people killing each other. A figure who used to be a hero can be reappraised and revaluated in the turn of a hand. I felt confused watching war documentaries and movies for last few days.
 

War victimizes everyone.

I was wondering that there would be any need to have war.
 

War will be repeated constantly when we justifies it like in the documentaries or movies that I’ve watched. I think we, in this era, may have duty to break out this vicious circle. We must leave peace, the world without wars at least to our next generation.
 

'No War, Yes Peace! '

 

On this June, we cannot be just happy. This is really simple, but would be a definitely exact answer.
 

IPYG: Hope the new image of the Red

Hope the new image of the Red.

(not blood, but passion)



Today, all over the world is getting hotter with soccer fever by starting the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. There are 4 main countries (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) related to soccer in the United Kingdom (UK).Because they are the home of soccer, their interest in soccer is the highest. Ireland next to these countries is as hot as they are.

 Like this, UK and Ireland have many similar things to live in union. but Ireland started the history of its blood by being invaded by England in 1167. When Henry VIII was on the throne, England conquered entire Ireland and persecuted Catholicism that Irish had believed in. By doing, the religious conflict began. In the twentieth century, Ireland became independent, however, the religious conflict started the new bottle: Northern 6 states in Ulster that have more Protestantism than the Catholic Church didn't want to be separated from England. so a civil war broke out in Ireland.

 

After a civil war, Northern ireland remained in England, but they became the land of endless troubles. One case that has sparked attention was "Bloody Sunday". in 1972. The affair was that english sky army fired at protesting citizens and 13 citizens dead. Through the movie of Bloody Sunday, director Paul Greengrass particularized this affair. Irish Republican Army (IRA) as a reckless armed group of the Catholic Church in Northern Ireland caused a lot of terrorisms. Until declaring an armistice , for about 25 years, bloodshed had occurred and more than 3,200 people were killed in incidents of terrorism.

 

The conflicts are end, but Belfast, the capital of Northen Ireland, still is divided into two parts; Protestantism and the Catholic Church. The Irish flag introduced in the picture hasn't been used nationally except playing soccer games.

 

That the United Kingdom that is consist of many nations had brought on war because of their own religions makes me think about religion again. The role of religion is to achieve love, forgiveness, and harmony, but because of religion, so many conflicts have been happened. I think that is because the religion gets lost. I realized yet again just the best way to put an end to war is the harmony of religions.
 

 

As the whole world has became one through soccer games, Ireland and Northen Ireland end the war to symbolize red blood. I hope the red is not the symbol of the blood any more, but the image of the Harmony and Passion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Angelina Jolie's meaningful message, and IPYG's meaningful shout

Angelina Jolie's meaningful message, and IPYG's meaningful shout. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

A Hollywood actress, Angelina Jolie went to England and had an official schedule as a envoy of UNHCR on last 10th. It was for attending Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict. This summit is for making the international society regard female sexual violence problems as an international problem and seeking the solution plans together. From being appointed as a goodwill ambassador of UNHCR in last 2001 to now, she has been trying to let the international society know that they are in trouble. She has been visiting the displaced people from around the world and supporting them progressively for the international aids.

I think she is a good actress and also a good advocate for other activities.

 

Since the history of mankind began, war is happening continuously for various reasons. Its most victims are female and children. We can see the seriousness of war through a recent event that Nigeria's armed group, Boko Haram kidnapped about 200 teenaged schoolgirls. Also, Japanese Military Sexual Slavery is one of horrors of war which Japan made Korean girls serve as sex slaves for Japanese soldiers when Korea was under Japanese imperialism.
The grandmothers forced for sex slaves are appealing for their damages and struggling to be apologized, but it is still not solved. It is very sensitive and really hurts. It is the fact that although some leaders of an organization or a nation bring about war, only the weak are damaged for that.

 

So, Angelina Jolie wanted through this summit to raise awareness of sexual violence in wartime and to insist that the assertion which sexual violence is unavoidable is wrong. However, I think not only the sexual violence in wartime but also any war have not to be existed in the world.

IPYG, too, is trying to raise awareness of the seriousness of wars and end it. When wars happen, youths are dragged into wars. So, the youths are appealing and trying for peace. I think that to think and act in the weak's shoes are a real peace and a real harmony.

 

 

As Angelina Jolie delivered a meaningful message of 'Ending Sexual Violence in Wartime', IPYG is shouting for a real peace advanced more than yesterday.

A Day between the Independences of India and Pakistan

A Day between the Independences of India and Pakistan, is it a Start of Peace?

 

In history, most people will know that people discriminated and excluded others due to some reasons such as status, religion and so on. It seems not to be modest for me, countries and its people to be superior to others.

 

But we have seen a lot of cases through history that when we got rid of any discrimination, the nation became thrived and the people became happy. For example, there was a King Sejong in the Joseon dynasty of Korea who is the creator of Hangeul(Korean letters). Although he was a confucian scholar, he admitted various religions like traditional belief and Buddhism. He transcended religions and then equally appointed people according to their talents and regardless of their religions. So, King Sejong is even now respected the most in the Republic of Korea and his people could live happily and peacefully in their times.

 

The Islam empire, Mughul dynasty enjoyed its golden age in the era of Emperor Akbar of the sixteenth century. They appointed talented people regardless of their religions such as Muslim and Hinduism. But after these, it was dramatically declined because of some rebellions like creating Hinduism empire. Eventually, it resulted in Britain's colonization. I think it resulted from their greeds for their own nations and religions not accepting and understanding each other.

 

Mahatma Gandhi, a leader of Nationalism and a peace activist for nonviolence, planned a peace nation co-existing with multi-culture and multi-religion but India and Pakistan became independent separately according to an agreement among National Congress-Muslim League-UK. India became independent on August 15, 1947 and Pakistan declared independence a day ago because Pakistani regard day 15 as islamic sabbath (Friday).

 

On the other hand, these two nations might have become a peaceful nation and more recognized worldwide for their wide territories and many people if each didn't cause conflicts insisting only their nation and religion are right.

 

 

IPYG: Visiting National Cemetery with Children on Memorial Day

IPYG: Visiting National Cemetery with Children on Memorial Day

Today, June 6th is one of Korean Holidays which is Memorial Day. 

I went to the National Cemetery of the military and the police with my students. People admire the memories of soldiers have fought for our nation and died in wars.

On Memorial Day, some consider it just a public holiday and others do it a missing day when it wad buried in their heart.

So did I. I thought it was just a holiday without inspiration.

When I entered the National Cemetery with my students, my heart became sad.

'They were beloved young men in their families and had so many dreams..'

They had passed away so young for my country.

A kid of my class asked to me why wars happened.

In this moment, I could not say anything.

"Wars are bad. 

You and other teachers always tell us not to fight with one another.", she said.

I was thinking how to explain. 'Should I tell her that there are some ideological differences or selfishness in the world?'

But I just couldn't say anything.

Even the kids know war itself is a scar that can never be indelible.

They learned how sad war is and wish it won't happen in the future.

I thought we should love peace and practice peace our lives in order not to hand down wounded hearts to out future children.

Because I am a member of IPYG, I am sure we can make it. 

 IPYG (International Peace Youth Group) will lead the path of peace.

As drops of water falling slowly one by one can make a piece of paper wet, each try of each person for peace will make our world change.

I hope that you who are reading this article can be a part of a peace maker by joining IPYG.

Written by Daisy Yoon
IPYG Jeonju

A Thought about Peace 4 - A Peace Walk with IPYG

A Thought about Peace 4

       - A Peace walk with IPYG

It was my first meeting with IPYG friends at the Park of Seoul where I accidently had conversation with them for I had an appointment with one of my friends in that park. I was very impressed by the conversation with them and I felt something special that I never felt before. It was the kind of attraction when you meet someone trustworthy. They were "awesome friends" in other words.

What is "peace"? It is not easy to explain it in one word. Peace is something common like light, rain and air, but it is a significant matter like draught and hurricane. A person can be responsible for common things but a disaster is would be joint responsibility of mankind. Are one's stability and happiness the same with the peace of mankind? The IPYG friends say the answer is 'NO'.

An oriental thinker Mencius who lived 2300 years ago, said that the right politician should bring peace for the people of the nation and peace starts from mercy of heart. In the end, it is a matter of state of one's heart; mercy is loving heart for others with no condition.  This unconditional love can lead to peace. This kind of love does not greed for one's profit and honor. It only requires consideration and concern for other people. The IPYG friends seemed to practice this love.

They said that they had a Peace Walk last year and I asked 'why?' They replied that they wanted to show the possibility of peace if everyone tied their heart into one with intense aspirations for peace. I glimpsed into their confidence and belief in peace, and I could understand what their "possibility" means. It was an opportunity for me to learn about the mighty force of love and value of peace.

They say 'love' has been and always is an absolute value. "Mercy", mentioned above by Mencius, can be brought to life only when people put it into action, as they say "action speaks louder than words". There is a reason why I felt a special feeling from them. It came from the inside of their heart.  Their intentions, pure and good, righteous spirit were good enough to overcome all the prejudice and misunderstandings of other people. The 'negative peace' that the world is putting a lot of expense to maintain should come to an end. I want to dedicate a saying of Antonio Gramsci to the people who take peace into action.

Pessimismo della ragione e ottimismo della volonta - be pessimistic by reason, be optimistic by will.

If we do not give up, the light of peace will come someday!