[MANNAM World News] 6.25 (LEAD) Korean War veterans honored at official anniversary event

By Lee Chi-dong
 WASHINGTON, June 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's top envoy to the United States on Tuesday emphasized the importance of further developing the alliance between the two nations based on their achievements over the past six decades.
   Delivering a speech at a formal ceremony to mark the 63rd anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War, Amb. Ahn Ho-young said what South Korea has done over the last 60 years economically and politically would have not been possible without the mutual security ties.
   He attached special meaning to this year's event, noting 2013 marks the 60th anniversary of the birth of the Seoul-Washington alliance with the armistice ending the three-year conflict.
   "I think on the 60th anniversary, of course, we celebrate all the achievements we have made, but what is even more important is to look ahead to the coming 60 years and beyond of the relationship between Korea and the United States," he said at the wreath-laying event at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Korean War veterans attend a formal ceremony in Washington to mark
the 63rd anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War. (Yonhap)

More than 150 Korean War veterans and government officials gathered for the ceremony, including Army Lt. Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, nominated to become the top commander of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia David Helvey, and retired Lt. Gen. William Maloney, who served as a platoon leader in the Korean War.
   Ahn thanked Korean War veterans for their sacrifice.
   "Without your sacrifice 60 years ago, I wouldn't be here this morning," he said.
   Former USFK commander Gen. Walter Sharp also emphasized that their sacrifice has born "a lot of fruit" that has differentiated the South from the North.
   "I think everyone understands how the economics have moved forward but we all also must remember (South) Korea also stands on freedom, on human rights on dignity and that's such a difference, what is in South Korea and what is in North Korea," said Sharp, honorary chairman of the Pentagon's 60th Anniversary Korea War Commemoration Committee. "That would not have happened without sacrifices veterans did 60 years ago."
   From 2008 until 2011, Sharp headed the 28,500-strong American troops stationed in South Korea. His father was a Korean War veteran.
   In a separate message to the Asan Washington Forum 2013 on South Korea-U.S. ties, meanwhile, National Security Adviser Tom Donilon said their alliance is the "linchpin" of peace and security on the peninsula.
   "The alliance is now positioned to address common challenges, build peace and cooperation in Northeast Asia, and address global challenges as we welcome the Republic of Korea's leadership and active engagement on the world stage," the outgoing top security aide to President Barack Obama said.
   He affirmed Washington's commitment to the defense of the South against the North's military threats.
   "No discussion of the alliance is complete without reinforcing the U.S. commitment to the security of the Republic of Korea," added Donilon, who will be succeeded by Susan Rice, ambassador to the United Nations.
   According to the U.S. government, 36,574 American troops were killed and 103,284 others wounded in the war.
   The Korean War ended in a ceasefire, not a formal peace treaty, leaving the two Koreas technically at war.
   leechidong@gmail.com
(END)
Source: http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2013/06/26/39/0301000000AEN20130626000300315F.HTML


 Before I knew it today is   63rd anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War.
 The two Koreas fought the 1950-53 Korean War that ended in a cease-fire, not a peace treaty, leaving the sides still technically at war and their border one of the world's most heavily fortified.
There are no plans for reunification between the North and South just yet.
As one of the Republic of Korea,  I'm still hopeful that peace will someday be achieved in Korea. surely, many MANNAM Volunteer members are hopeful that peace comes true.
When we do for peace campaign, volunteer work etc. , the time will come soon when we shall live peacefully in the unified fatherland.

[MANNAM Peace Quotes] Mahatma Gandhi - peace quote

 

"The day the power of loeve overrules

the love of power, the world will know peace."

 

                                              - Mahatma Gandhi

[MANNAM World News] 6.25 Korean War -(Yonhap Interview) Korean War veteran reminds people of 'forgotten war'

By Kim Eun-jung
 SEOUL, June 21 (Yonhap) - Larry Kinard's Korean War memories come back to him with a vivid clarity, which makes him shudder at the recollection of being so close to death.
   One of them is of an incident that took place in 1952, three years after he became a U.S. Army second lieutenant to serve in the 3rd Infantry Division on the front-line. He was 22.
   Looking out at the enemy territory over the Imjin River, an artillery shell exploded just 22 meters in front of a four-member observation team.
   "It literally blew us out of the bunker's back. Nobody was killed, but we suffered from concussion and shock for several days," Kinard, now 84 and the president of the Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA), said in an interview with Yonhap News Agency.

Larry Kinard, the president of the Korean War Veterans Association,
speaks during a lecture at the Korea Military Academy in Seoul on June 21, 2013. (Yonhap)

   "There were several experiences where I came close to dying. When it comes that close to death, you remember it."

The KWVA president living in Forth Worth, Texas visited Seoul as part of a veterans' event hosted by the Ministry of the Patriots and Veterans Affairs as South Korea commemorates the 60th anniversary of signing the Armistice Agreement that ended hostilities.
   The three-year war came to a halt in 1953, with a cease-fire agreement establishing a demilitarized zone roughly running along the 38th parallel that separated the two Koreas. Still today, there is no peace treaty and tensions continue with Pyongyang's threats of missile attacks and nuclear war.
   Although the Korean War has stuck with Kinard and other veterans for their entire lives, the war has been overshadowed in the public consciousness following many subsequent American military conflicts in recent decades.
   As the number of survivors with first-hand accounts of the war is dwindling -- with the youngest now nearing 80 -- Kinard decided to devote the rest of his life to tell stories of the "forgotten war" through an education program called "Tell America."
   Since 2005, the energetic veteran has traveled across the U.S. to meet people and students to tell what happened 60 years ago on the Korean Peninsula, and distributed booklets and brochures to libraries.
   Kinard stressed the education program is important because people should learn from history so as not to make the same mistakes in the future.
   "We tell the students that war is not fun," he said. "Some of what they see in movies and on TV is not real. War is terrible."
   If it is so terrible, why do people go to war?
   "Sometimes, you have to fight a war to defend freedom you have. I try to get them to understand what the real price of freedom is," he added.
   While the veteran's program was initially designed to raise awareness among students, Kinard discovered many teachers had very little knowledge of the war. So, he decided to expand the program from schools to churches and other organizations across America to give people the opportunity to talk with veterans and stimulate their curiosity.
   The great-grandfather with three children says the young generation should not forget where today's prosperity came from.
   "We stress to these children what it means to be a patriotic American, what it meant to us to fight for the freedom of the Korean people," he said. "We teach them that freedom is not free and many have paid a huge price for the freedom we enjoy today."
   The Korean War VA president called for more revisiting programs for survivors to make them in close contact and remember what they had sacrificed and contributed.
   "By meeting, living and fighting with these soldiers from other countries, we all became closer and learned first-hand what it truly means to be comrades-in-arms," Kinard said. "Through this togetherness, this comrade-in-arms personal contact, the entire world has become smaller and all of us have benefited as we learned each other's culture, language, history and traditions."
   The old veteran was particularly proud of the economic and political progress of South Korea, which has risen from the destruction of war to one of the leading economies, saying Koreans "accomplished a miracle."
   "I hope you know that the U.S. Korean War veterans are extremely proud of the Korean people and their accomplishments over the last 60 years," he said.
   Kinard, however, expressed regret that Korea still remains divided and hoped peace will come someday.
   "It's sad. I wish Korea to be reunified, but at this point, it seems to be almost impossible with standoffs from both sides," Kinard said. "Being strong is the best thing," he said, adding 28,500 American troops stationed in South Korea should remain in the country as a way to deter North Korea aggression.
   Though the last thing he wants is war, the white-hair veteran demonstrated his last-remaining fighting spirit to preserve the Korean War legacy.

   "Should war ever come to the Korean Peninsula again," he said, "we will be there, as we were in the 50s -- comrades-in-arms, fighting side by side with you."

Source: http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2013/06/21/84/0301000000AEN20130621006800315F.HTML


The Korean War was a bloody battle of brother against brother.
It tooks the lives of some 5 million men and women.
The divided Koreas remain technically at war since an armistice stopped fighting between them in 1953.
It is regrettable that many soldiers have to be parted from family by war and civilians died.
Also, It’s a sad fact that many of those killed were children.
I hope that the day of reunification would come as soon as possible.
All humankind must exert every effort for peace.
MANNAM and MIYC memvers work for the world peace.
"We need to stick together!"
World peace is the greatest prize of all.

[MANNAM World Peace] Peace Leader 'Aung San Suu Kyi'

  Today, I want to intoroduce you to one of peace leaders 'Aung San Suu Kyi'. he had visited in Korea a few month ago. At that time, she met MANNAM Chairman Man Hee Lee(Peace Leader) to  realize for the world peace.

Aung San Suu Kyi was born on 19 June 1945 in Rangoon (now named Yangon). Her father, Aung San, founded the modern Burmese army and negotiated Burma's independence from the British Empire in 1947; he was assassinated by his rivals in the same year. She grew up with her mother, Khin Kyi, and two brothers, Aung San Lin and Aung San Oo, in Rangoon. Aung San Lin died at the age of eight, when he drowned in an ornamental lake on the grounds of the house. Her elder brother emigrated to San Diego, California, becoming a United States citizen. After Aung San Lin's death, the family moved to a house by Inya Lake where Suu Kyi met people of very different backgrounds, political views and religions. She was educated in Methodist English High School (now Basic Education High School No. 1 Dagon) for much of her childhood in Burma, where she was noted as having a talent for learning languages. She is a Theravada Buddhist.

 Aung San Suu Kyi at the age of six.
Suu Kyi's mother, Khin Kyi, gained prominence as a political figure in the newly formed Burmese government. She was appointed Burmese ambassador to India and Nepal in 1960, and Aung San Suu Kyi followed her there. She studied in the Convent of Jesus and Mary School in New Delhi, and graduated from Lady Shri Ram College in New Delhi with a degree in politics in 1964. Suu Kyi continued her education at St Hugh's College, Oxford, obtaining a B.A. degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics in 1969. After graduating, she lived in New York City with a family friend Ma Than E, who was once a popular Burmese pop singer. She worked at the United Nations for three years, primarily on budget matters, writing daily to her future husband, Dr. Michael Aris. In late 1971, Aung San Suu Kyi married Aris, a scholar of Tibetan culture, living abroad in Bhutan. The following year she gave birth to their first son, Alexander Aris, in London; their second son, Kim, was born in 1977. Between 1985 and 1987, Suu Kyi was working toward an M.Phil in Burmese literature as a research student at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. She was elected as an Honorary Fellow in 1990. For two years she was a Fellow at the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies (IIAS) in Shimla, India. She also worked for the government of the Union of Burma.
In 1988 Suu Kyi returned to Burma, at first to tend for her ailing mother but later to lead the pro-democracy movement. Aris' visit in Christmas 1995 turned out to be the last time that he and Suu Kyi met, as Suu Kyi remained in Burma and the Burmese dictatorship denied him any further entry visas.Aris was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1997 which was later found to be terminal. Despite appeals from prominent figures and organisations, including the United States, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and Pope John Paul II, the Burmese government would not grant Aris a visa, saying that they did not have the facilities to care for him, and instead urged Aung San Suu Kyi to leave the country to visit him. She was at that time temporarily free from house arrest but was unwilling to depart, fearing that she would be refused re-entry if she left, as she did not trust the military junta's assurance that she could return.
Aris died on his 53rd birthday on 27 March 1999. Since 1989, when his wife was first placed under house arrest, he had seen her only five times, the last of which was for Christmas in 1995. She was also separated from her children, who live in the United Kingdom, but starting in 2011, they have visited her in Burma.
On 2 May 2008, after Cyclone Nargis hit Burma, Suu Kyi lost the roof of her house and lived in virtual darkness after losing electricity in her dilapidated lakeside residence. She used candles at night as she was not provided any generator set. Plans to renovate and repair the house were announced in August 2009. Suu Kyi was released from house arrest on 13 November 2010.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aung_San_Suu_Kyi



Twenty-one years after she was awarded the Nobel Peace Priz, Aung San Suu Kyi amde her acceptance speech on June 16, 2012 during her first tour of Europe after spending most of the last decaded under house arrest.

The peace of our world is indivisible.
As long as negative forces are getting the better of positive forces anywhere, we are all at risk.
It may be questioned whether all negative forces could ever be removed.
The simple answer is : 'No!'
It is in human nature to contain both the positive and the negative.

However, it is also within human capability to work to reinforce the positive and to minimize or neutralize the negative.
Absolute peace in our world is an unattainable goal.

But it is one towards which we must contunue to journey,
our eyes fixed on it as a traveler in a desert fixes his eyes on the one guiding star that will lead him to salvation.

Untimately our aim should be to create a world free from the displaced, the homeless and the hipeless, a world of which each and every corner is a ture sanctuary where the inhabitants will have the freedom and the capacity to live in peace.

Every thought, every word, and every action that adds to the positive and the wholesome is a contribution to peace.

-Nobel Lecture by Aung San Suu Kyi, Oslo City Hall, Norway 16 June, 2012

[MANNAM International Youth Coalition] Why Youth?

It is a youth coalition gathered from all over the world. People, especially youth has gathered as MIYC o unite people across borders, cultures, languages and races. As we are international groups, we respect for the diversity of humanity. By respecting each other's culture, we can understand and get together to be the one. After beding one, we will work together to achieve our goal.

On April 21. 2013 10K in their shoes event was osted by MANNAM International Youth Coalition (MIYC) at Seoul Grand Park. MIYC is to unite youth associations around the world and in motivating their nation to actively pursue peace. Through the 10km walk and the MIYC, all participants walked to show their support for specific countries who are still struggling with ongoing wars, or the after effects of recent conflict.

[MANNAM World News] 'Standing man' inspires Turkish protesters in Istanbul

Erdem Gunduz (C) is seen here standing on the square early on Tuesday

 

A Turkish protester dubbed the "standing man" has led a vigil on Istanbul's Taksim Square days after the authorities evicted demonstrators.

Performance artist Erdem Gunduz stood silently for eight hours, facing a portrait of Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern, secular Turkey.

Hundreds of others joined him in the square, which was reopened on Monday, before being dispersed by police.

Mr Gunduz later told the BBC he had wanted to take a symbolic stand.

Two leading trade unions held rallies and a one-day strike in defiance of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday.

Mr Gunduz appeared in the square at around 18:00 (15:00 GMT) on Monday and remained there until 02:00 when police moved in.

Ten people who refused to be moved on were detained.

"There are many, many young people on the streets," Mr Gunduz told the BBC.

"I'm nothing... The idea is important: why people resist the government. The government doesn't want to understand, didn't try to understand why people are on the streets. This is really silent resistance. I hope people stop and think 'what happened there?'"

His protest quickly captured the imagination of the protest movement. The hash tag "duranadam" ("standing man") dominated Turkish-language Twitter on Tuesday morning.

Mr Gunduz's protest contrasts sharply with the violent clashes of recent weeks, in which some 5,000 people have been injured and at least four have died.

The protests began on 28 May against a plan to redevelop Istanbul's Gezi Park, on the city's central Taksim Square, but it snowballed into nationwide anti-government protests after the perceived high-handed response of the authorities under their three-term prime minister, Mr Erdogan.

 

 

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22949632

 

 

'Chapuller'

 

This is newly coined word made by Turkish protesters. It means that the man who is fighting for justice against the odds.

 

These things have a way of turning around.

I wish them a speedy coming stable.

MANNAM Volunteer members also fear for their safety.

We are looking forward to having finish all this situation.

 I do hope they can reach a compromise. Also, We would like World Peace!

 

MANNAM International Volunteer Association Members

We, MANNAM International Volunteer association members are here to make WORLD PEACE. To achieve world peace, we should be one, so that we can gather our thoughts and power. To gather our thoughts, we should share each other’s light, the culture. Not only sharing can make world peace, but we should try to understand each other and help each other. All of this mind is came from the mind set of love. We should love each other so that we can achieve world peace together.

[MANNAM International volunteer] True Volunteerism

MANNAM is the common ground on which all people of the world, irrespective of their differences, can unite and work towards the goal of the world peace and a culture of respect and tolerance through true volunteerism.

MANNAM Volunteer Work
MANNAM reaches out to the Korean community through true volunteerism and community serive activities with expats from all ober the globe.

There are community service activities; Korean Language Class , MANNAM K-POP, MANNAM Soccer, Judo and Basketball club.  If you want to know more about these activities, here is blog address.

MANNAM DoranDoran http://mannamdorandoran.wordpress.com/
MANNAM Korean Class http://mannamkorean.wordpress.com/
MANNAM K-POP http://mannamkpop.blogspot.kr/
MANNAM Warriors Basketball Club http://mannambasketball.blogspot.kr/
MANNAM Judo http://mannamjudo.blogspot.kr/
MANNAM Victorycup http://victorycup-mannam.blogspot.kr/

MANNAM Cultural experience
MANNAM aims to unite all cultures, nations, races and religions through the spirit of volunteerism, and holds annual festivals to demonstrate this to the world.

MANNAM International Youth Coalition
MIYC unites youth across all borders and cultures. We foster a spirit of appreciation and respect for the diversity of humanity while actively working together to end war and lead the way to peace.

[MANNAM World News] North Korea offers chance for talks with United States

North Korea has said it wants to have high-level talks with the United States in a bid to ease tension in the region.
The move comes just days after the North called off plans for talks with South Korea, intended to mend ties between the two countries. The meeting would have been the first in more than two years.
North Korea blamed the cancellation on the South for scuttling discussions.
North Korea says Washington can pick the date and place for talks and the two sides can discuss a range of issues. However it added that no preconditions should be attached.
Earlier this year, North Korea threatened nuclear and
 missile strikes against South Korea and the United States after
 it was hit with U.N. sanctions following a nuclear weapons
 test.
Pyongyang says it will be happy to discuss disarmament but the world, including its southern neighbor, should also be denuclearised.
It also wants the US to sign a peace treaty formally ending the 1950-53 Korean War that divided the two Koreas.

Source: http://www.euronews.com/2013/06/16/north-korea-offers-chance-for-talks-with-united-states/

The need for a mutuality of understanding between the nations of the world is of greater importance today than ever before for the world peace.
An opportunity that I hope It will have good new  in Korea, too, further more there will be peace all over the globe.
World peace is the greatest prize of all.
I believe such efforts will eventually lead to a peaceful reunification of the South and the North.
Why don't we work for peace together through MANNAM Volunteer Association and learn about the importance of world peace?

MANNAM Quote : Chairman Man Hee Lee Quotes - World Peace and Restoration

 

MANNAM Chairman, Man Hee Lee, said, “As the light, rain, and air of heaven give life to all creation, let us love this world. Love will achieve world peace and restoration.”


Representative Nam Hee Kim of MANNAM Volunteer Association said, “MANNAM learned the true meaning of volunteerism and self-sacrifice through the Honorary Chairman and is putting this into practice throughout the world.” She also said, “MANNAM’s volunteer services might seem like small steps towards achieving world peace, but they will renew the world.”

[World Peace] Iranian elections – Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi talks to euronews

source: http://news.naver.com

Iran is a country where the ruling class seems to thrive on hostility to the west and where much of the population is repressed, and living in dire poverty.
Iranians are now poised to vote in a new president, so what impact could this vote have for Iranians and the international community.?
Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi spoke to euronews. She was recognised for championing democracy and human rights in her home country. She now lives in exile.
euronews’ Isabelle Kumar: “In past elections we’ve heard of political dissidents being persecuted, targeted. What are you hearing now?”
Ebadi: “Those events occurred in 2009. At that time, due to the extreme violence of the government, protests in the streets stopped. But the people are now manifesting their displeasure by different means and are showing they are not happy.”
euronews: “The people are also scared, are they not, because in the past universities were a hub of political activity and we get the sense, here at least, that there’s a sense of apathy, that youth are too scared to become politically engaged.”
Ebadi: :Our youth are not indifferent and they are active. That is why, today, many of our students are in jail and others have been expelled from universities.”
Bernard Smith, from the United States, sent a video question: “How significant is this election?”
Isabelle Kumar added: “This is something we ask ourselves, because could this election be a turning point or with the Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in power, can we expect just more of the same?”
Ebadi: “These elections are not free, like previous ones, and the final decision, with respect to important political issues, lies with Mr Khamenei. In my opinion, the election itself is not important. We must wait and see if, as in 2009, people go out onto the streets or not.”
euronews: Do you think that the voting process is fair, given that already that the Guardian Council has selected the candidates, can we expect that, at least to be fair?”
Ebadi: “The current election organisation and supervision system, in my opinion, is fraudulent, and that is why I have suggested free elections are held under the supervision of the UN. Of course, I know that the government will not accept this. Only international supervision will prevent electoral fraud.”
Alicia, from Spain, also sent a video question, asking about the atomic project: “I want to know how the outcome of these elections will affect Iran’s nuclear programme.”
Isabelle Kumar added: “Said Jalili is considered one of the front runners in this election, he’s also Iran’s nuclear negotiator. If he were elected could we expect a change of tack from Iran, regarding its nuclear programme?”
Ebadi: “Whether the winner is Saeed Jalili or someone else, it will not alter [Iran’s] nuclear policy. Because in this area [Supreme Leader] Ali Khamenei is the only one who makes decisions and he will not let the President make changes.”
euronews: “There has been pressure from the international community, in the form of sanctions, you’ve spoken out against those, but what alternative does the west have when its negotiating partner is intransigent?”
Ebadi: “I’m against a military invasion or economic sanctions, because it causes a lot of harm to people. Instead, [the west] should adopt policies which directly target those who violate human rights. Instead of punishing Iran with economic sanctions, punish those responsible for violations of state and human rights.”
Irena is also from Spain. Her video question concerns life in Iran now: “I would like to know what the real situation in Iran is, because it seems quite complicated. Thank you very much.”
Isabelle Kumar asked: “In some respects, Shirin Ebadi, our vision of Iran is fed by films like ‘Argo’, by the hard-line rhetoric that we hear from the ruling class. In a nutshell what’s the real Iran like nowadays?”
Ebadi: “The feminist movement in Iran is very strong; one of the strongest existing in the Middle East. Our union movement is strong; many of our organisers are in jail. We also have a very strong student movement which has resulted in the arrest and imprisonment of student activists. The Iranians are peaceful, because for 34 years they have lived with the revolution and they also endured the eight-year war with Iraq; this is too much for one generation. So while the Iranians are not happy with the situation at the moment, they want any changes to be made peacefully. They are tired of war, of violence.”
euronews: “Finally, you have been a champion of the cause of women, of the repressed in Iran. What’s your message to those people?”
Ebadi: [To] The people of Iran, you must resist to win your rights. Keep your resistance peaceful and know that victory will come.”
To find out who the next ‘I-talk’ guest will be, or send us written or video questions, check on www.euronews.com
, or follow Isabelle Kumar or euronews on social media.
source: http://www.euronews.com/2013/06/12/iranian-elections-nobel-peace-prize-winner-shirin-ebadi-talks-to-euronews/

World Peace is an issue in many other countries around the world.
In many places, the pacifist movement is gaining increasing support among young people.   MIYC is MANNAM International Youth Coalition. As youth leaders, we understand the future of uour world is in hte hands of the youth.
The power to renew our environment, to uplift the standards of society,
to create a new culture of peace and respect between races, cultures, religions
and nations lies with the youth. We, the youth, have the power to create a better future,
one free from conflicts and war.
Today, by uniting in one purpose, let us achieve that dream and realize a vision of a world of justice, peace, security and prosperity by creating a new culture for all humanity.
This is the vision of MANNAM International Youth Coalition.
Please, join us as we build a legacy of peace the world cannot ignore.


 

[World Peace] "Youth, Sports, and Peace" - GBS Kenya

Violence and youth is almost inseparable. But collaboration between global peace festival foundation and the international peace and peace festival is trying to make a difference. Through sports, the two organizations have, since 2010, rolled out programmes that are geared towards harness the energy of the youth positively. On Saturday the programme was at Woodley social grounds where over 500 youth congregated for a sports tourney. Area councilor Gare Mohamad said such initiatives could have come at a better time now that the country is headed for a general election.

source: http://peacemedia.usip.org/resource/youth-sports-and-peace-gbs-kenya

Many youth people were gathered to walk for world peace a few days ago. When I arrived, I was genuinely stunned. They were the one, no matter what race or creed. If all youth group in the world work for the world peace, It will have our wish any day now. MIYC and MANNAM Volunteer Association are always working to world peace. we want us to go together! We are always welcome that you want to join us anytime, anyway!

[Turkey news] Five things you should know about Turkey and the Istanbul protests

Turkey has been rocked by four days of protests and violence, in the biggest outburst of anger since the Islamist-rooted government took power. Ruth Sherlock has five things you should know.

1. Turkey's political ideology
Since the 1920s Turkey has been vigorously secular in its public sphere. Now protestors accuse Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of blurring the line between religion and state by trying to impose the Islamist values of his Justice and Development party (AKP) on society as a whole.
Last month the government introduced a new law cracking down on alcohol, banning the sale of drink between 10pm and 6am and forcing restaurants near schools or mosques to be dry.
The government has also tried to clamp down on kissing in public. Some have also perceived a state recommendation that everyone should have three children as too invasive.
The spark for the demonstrations was opposition to a government plan to turn Gezi Park, the last green area in Istanbul’s Taksim Square into a replication of an Ottoman style military barracks and possibly a shopping mall.

They have since morphed into nationwide outpouring of anger by critics who say Erdogan is increasingly “authoritarian”.

2. Erdogan's popularity and Turkey's increasing authoritarianism
Unlike in the dictatorships of Egypt, Libya et al, Turkey enjoys free and fair elections. Mr Erdogan has won three consecutive general elections, each time with a greater share of the popular vote. He also has the support of the United States and other western leaders. So popular is he among his people that he won the People’s choice for Time 2011 person of the year.
But recently a push for a new constitution that would enhance presidential powers, a role that he would then likely try to take for himself, have also caused widespread public anger. As has the prosecutions of journalists and intellectuals - more journalists are currently behind bars in Turkey than anywhere else in the world, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

3. Turkey's economy
When Erdogan swept to power in 2002, Turkey was lauded by the West as an example of a successful, Muslim-majority, secular democracy.
The country's brand of "Islamic Calvinism" – spearheaded by Erdogan's pro-business and pro-free market reforms – lifted Turkey out of deep recession.
If the economy is a crucial factor to the stability of a country, Turkey’s is badly placed to spark a revolution: It is soaring. The economy grew by 5 per cent a year on average from 2002 to 2012. Turkey has avoided both the financial collapse of its neighbouring European countries. Inequality has been falling.

4. A guide to Turkey's protesters
The protests have spread to 67 cities, including the capital Ankara. Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets. Many of the demonstrators are young, secular, educated men and women. They were largely peaceful.
It is clear that the protests have touched a nerve for Turks across a broad social spectrum. Demonstrators have also received a lot of support from other sections of society. Many taxi drivers in Istanbul beep their horns in solidarity and older residents, even in some of the poorer parts of the city have come to their front doors, beating posts and pans in support of the demonstrators.

5. Government response to the protests
Police initially cracked down heavily, seemingly hoping to smother the protests. They used teargas and water cannons aggressively, and hundreds of people were wounded. Amnesty International has condemned the crackdowns and claimed that two people have been killed.
Realising that this was only serving to fuel greater dissent, Mr Erdogan admitted the mistake. Clashes have continued in other parts of Istanbul, but security forces have pulled out of the central protest area Taksim Square.


Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/turkey/10095659/Five-things-you-should-know-about-Turkey-and-the-Istanbul-protests.html


I'm so sorry to hear that. Turkey and Korea are just like brothers country. I think we need to  be interested in and concerned about them. There are some people that they don't know this news yet.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan still wouldn't change his opinion for anything. Many people are in the hospital and in prisson at the moment.
I wish Turkey's protesets will stay bit by bit.... MANNAM Volunteer member also know this news correctly, let us to be interested in and concerned about them.

[Peace Leader] Mother Teresa, Angel of the Poor

 

Karch: A Biography in Images

 

"I will take any child, any time, night or day.

Just let me know, and I will come for him."

-Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa was born in Yugoslavia in 1910.
Her family was a devoted Catholic family.
They liked to help the poor.
Even though her mother had to sew to support the children after her father's death, she took care of a poor widow with six children in the neighborhood.
When the widow died, te children were raised in Mother Teresa's house like their own family.
Therefore, it was her family's generosity and care for the poor that made a great impact on young Mother Teresa's life.
When she was 12, she first decided to devote her life to catholic work, and at the age of 18, she became a nun. In 1946, however, her life changed foreber. While she was teaching at a Roman catholic high school in Calcutta, shie saw a woman dying in the street, and big mice were eating the woman. She took the woman to a nearby hospital, but the people there didn't want to take her. She was so insistent that they finally treated the woman. From then on, Mother Teresa decided to devote the rest of her life to helping the poorest of the poor by living with them.
In 1948, after she left the school, she first went to Paris where she received some training to help the sick and poor. Then she went alone into the Indian slums to live among and help the poor.
All she had was a piece o soap. In the streets, which were full of trash and dirty houses, Mother Teresa did everything that she coul do to help the poor. For exammple, she took care of many children who lived on the streets. The children's clothes were old and torn, and their faces were covered with dirt. They didn't have homes, and the didn't know where their parents were. Mother Teresa wiped the dirt off their faces and the tears from their eyes. Then she led them to her place where she gave them baths, food, and clothes.
" A child is a gift of God," said Mother Teresa. "Every child is here to love and be loved." In 1950, Mother Teresa set up the Missionaries of charity to help those living and dying in the streets.
Soon, many people were impressed and followed her. In their own countries, they did the same thing that she did in India. So, the little woman helped thousands of people all over the world. Thanks to her lifelong effort, she received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Many world-famous people such as Princess Diana visited her. Mother Teresa passed away on September 5, 1997.
She was indeed a living saint, and she will be greatly missed.
May she rest in peace!


MANNAM Volunteer Association also work for the world peace. we all must exert every effort for peace. Not only our Volunteer Association, global peace movement is spreading throughout the whole world. Let's work for the world peace together, we can achieve world peace!

[MANNAM Peace] As a peace campaigner, John Lennon and to celebrated Memorial Day

 As a peace campaigner, John Lennon was the original Beatlesthe member and achieved worldwide fame for the United Kingdom writer and singer.
John Lennon received a posthumous award for his contributions to world peace, as his song 'Imagine' has been a leading anthem for the peace movement.
He left a famous saying a lot, and his quotes are loved by many people yet.
Especially, today(June 6th) is Memorial Day in Korea.

MANNAM Volunteer Association, which focuses on culture and art, has joined the World's 54 volunter organizations. MANNAM mainly volunteered around Gangnam, Seoul, unnoticealbe, but with a pure heart. In 2008, a bazaar was held for those in need at the Apgujung, Chungdam elementary school and ten thousand citizens, including local residents participated. Gangnam district office was surprised with the outcome and suggested holding another event together. So, on April 6th, Memorial Day of 2009, a public patriotic event was held which one hundred thousand people participated on Yeongdong main-street (blocking eight-lanes) in front of the Coex Mall and MANNAM became known as a light of the world. From the spark of these events, MANNAM became a global volunteer organization by allying with 54 domestic and foreign volunteer organizations. The united volunteer organization is enthusiastically volunteering with many domestic and foreign regions. MANNAM, the pride of Korea, will spread the culture of love by lighting up the darkness with the light of love.


Entered in the Korean Guinness book of record. The world’s largest handprint Korean national flag is kept preserved in the National Cemetery. Width 60m x Length 40m, a total of 17,337 people participated.

 The world's largest Korean national flag, made by handprints, was listed in the Korean Guinness Book on 2009, July 18th. From Children's Day (May 5th) when the Korean national flag was simply a pure-white sheet, till the completion of the flag, it stayed on displayed at the Olympic Park Peace Plaza, where every country’s flags exist. This was a precious time of sharing for citizens of Korea to confirm their love of the Korean national flag, without distinction of gender, age, or nationality. It was a moment in which Korea and the world could become one, by gathering people’s hearts and participating in the simple action of hand printing. Departed patriots would have felt proud by seeing the supersized Korean national flag preserved in the national cemetery.

Now, Let's take our time  for a lasting 'peace' to celebrated Memorial Day.
It's time that we begin to talk of peace.

"Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagien all the people
Living life in peace

You ay say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one"

-John Lennon, Imagine

[MIYC] International Youth Walk for World Peae & Restoration

Hello Everyone!
I am one of the people who participated in this International Youth Walk for World Peace and Restoration. Frankly, I don't have any mind to join this event. However, my friend continued to talk about it and then I also agreed with that PEACE MUST COME TRUE.
At that day, it was really really hot but Gyeongbokgung(Palace Gyeongbok) - we visited before the event- shows brilliant colors and well-decorated gardens. It catches my eyes.

 

The event started at noon. In Seoul, the highs was around 31°C. Nevertheless, a massive number of people made me surprised. It was so big scale than my expectation.
At the first part of event, It was really hot like an oven because the people were almost 30,000 and jammed like sardines. I was impressed that people from diverse countries gather and do such a huge event for common theme 'PEACE'. I was proud of myself for participating this campaign.

'

 

 

Next part was Walking Campaign, each section prepared very attractive performances to represent each continent. Also I could feel many people who stood around the event focused on us and what we do.

 

I think it was very meaningful for me to join the International Youth Walk for World Peace and Restoration. I also believe the people who looked at this Peace Campaign might have same mind with us for WORLD PEACE.
 

 

[Peace Quotes] Mahatma Gandhi - Quotes

 I have been is Seoul for the 'international youth walk for world peace & restoration' last weekend. I saw lots of people their desire for peace.

They were longing for peace and liberty.

I felt the time will come soon when we shall live peacefully in the unified fatherland.

So, I'm trying to think about quotes of peace today.

'Peace' reminds me Mahatma Gandhi.

Mahatma Gandhi was a peaceful man who achieved independence for India.

He worked hard for world peace. His talk is full of wise savings.

There are some of the Gandhi's quotes.

 

 

Mahatma Gandhi

 

“An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.”

“Nobody can hurt me without my permission.”

“Let the first act of every morning be to make the following resolve for the day:
- I shall not fear anyone on Earth.
- I shall fear only God.
- I shall not bear ill will toward anyone.
- I shall not submit to injustice from anyone.
- I shall conquer untruth by truth. And in resisting untruth, I shall put up with all suffering.”

“Whenever you are confronted with an opponent. Conquer him with love.”

“The day the power of love overrules the love of power, the world will know peace.”

“There is no 'way to peace,' there is only 'peace.”

MANNAM & MIYC participated in the International Youth Walk for World Peace and Restoration :25 May 2013

25 May 2013: MANNAM & MIYC participated in the International Youth Walk for World Peace and Restoration. About 20,000 young people walked together for peace on the day in the hopes that their united action would motivate youth around the world to work for world peace together.