Federation of World Peace and Love

Celebrating the Fourth International Day of Conscience
FOWPAL Gathers UN Ambassadors, Diplomats, and NGO leaders to Pray for the World

 

The Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL) and seven other agencies/organizations organized the "2023 World Leader Summit of Love and Peace” and bell ringing ceremonies at the Westin New York Grand Central Hotel on March 31, to celebrate the fourth International Day of Conscience and pray for the world, with UN ambassadors, diplomats, and other influential leaders from various nations in attendance.

The event opened with an ancient solemn prayer ceremony, which was full of loving and peaceful energy, encouraging people to sincerely reflect on themselves with their conscience, do good deeds to atone for their mistakes, and make wishes for love and peace. Eight influential leaders rang the Bell of World Peace and Love and made wishes for peace.

Amb. Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja, Permanent Representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the UN, rang the bell and stated, “I wish for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in the whole world.” Amb. Xolisa Mfundiso Mabhongo, Deputy Permanent Representative of South Africa to the UN, rang the bell and wished for “the end of all conflict and strife.”

Other bell ringers included Mr. Eligio Jaquez, Consul General of the Dominican Republic in New York; Dr. Jim Bostic, director of some 6000 churches in Africa and in America; Dr. Zergabachew Asfaw, the head doctor of the Bronx Medical Association, NY; Dr. Tamika Williams; Evangelist Steven Sebyala of Uganda, president of Africa Harvest Mission; and Ms. Gloria Starr Kins, editor-in-chief and publisher of Society & Diplomatic Review (SDR), a United Nations accredited publication.

After the cultural performance "Song of Hope" brought by FOWPAL members in angel costumes depicting a beautiful world full of hope and where everyone follows their conscience, a ceremony was conducted to amplify the power of hope. During the ceremony, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze and the ambassadors and influential leaders from various nations shared their kind wishes for the world and clipped the butterflies representing their countries onto the tree of hope for the world, symbolizing that with the collective good energy and efforts from all nations, positive butterfly effects will be created to transform the world.

Amb. Sophia Tesfamariam of Eritrea to the UN, stated, “My wish is that we overcome all these challenges of 2023 and make it to 2024 in one piece.” Amb. Xolisa Mfundiso Mabhongo, Deputy Permanent Representative of South Africa to the UN, stated, “My wish is that we look after all the children of the world and the youth and we leave to them a peaceful and prosperous world.”

Other dignitaries also shared their wishes, including Counsellor Juan Mbomio from the Permanent Mission of Equatorial Guinea to the UN on behalf of Amb. Anatolio Ndong Mba, who is traveling; Counselor Wisnique Panier from the Permanent Mission of Haiti to the UN; and Mr. Eligio Jaquez, Consul General of the Dominican Republic in New York.

April 5, 2023 will mark the 4th International Day of Conscience. Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, president of FOWPAL, was instrumental in the United Nations’ adoption of the International Day of Conscience. Beginning on April 5, 2018, FOWPAL worked with the Permanent Missions of Kiribati, Equatorial Guinea, Bahrain, and other nations to the United Nations, making the UN’s designation of April 5 as the International Day of Conscience possible.

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze delivered a speech, highlighting the meaning of the International Day of Conscience: “This day serves to remind people to face themselves sincerely, reflect on themselves, change themselves, and change the world. As we transform ourselves, we can transform the world and create peace and harmony in the world for the benefit of global citizens and future generations.”

"The most critical times are also full of opportunities," said Dr. Hong, pointing out, “The solution is to follow the guidance of our conscience, and we can solve the major problems facing the world today through joint efforts and cooperation of the international community. When we have hope, we will have the motivation to move forward. The happiness of humankind requires the awakening of conscience in more people and their actions. We need to inspire more leaders and people from all over the world to protect the Earth with positive power and create a culture of peace with love and conscience while cultivating technology and people’s hearts and souls.”

With natural and man-made disasters frequently occurring around the world, the need for conscience and the power of hope has never been greater, so FOWPAL and various Permanent Missions to the UN are working on a new draft resolution to amplify the power of hope for a better world. The Declaration of World Day of the Power of Hope, issued by Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, indicates, “Love and conscience activate the power of unselfish and altruistic hope for peace. Where there is hope, there will be action, and where there is concerted action of conscience, there will be success.”

Over the past 20 plus years, Dr. Hong has led FOWPAL to self-fund their cultural exchange trips to 101 countries to promote conscience, love and peace, and their peace efforts have been widely recognized. At the summit on March 31, 2023, in recognition of its 1.2 million hours of service to the United States, FOWPAL, led by Dr. Hong, was presented with the President’s Lifetime Achievement award from the office of the U.S. President, which was presented by Rev. Dr. Agorom C. Dike, founder and president of the Caribbean and African Faith-Based Leadership Conference and liaison to the White House Faith-Based Cabinet Offices.

On behalf of the ECOSOC-accredited NGO COJEP International (Council for Justice, Equality and Peace), Hugues Sanon, COJEP International Special Envoy at the UN, presented the Justice and Freedom Award to Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, president of FOWPAL, for his outstanding service in promoting peace, love, and conscience to the whole world in times of need.

On FOWPAL’s journey of love and peace, it has made many like-minded friends, who have worked together for love and peace. Dr. Bernard Fialkoff, president of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World Americas Chapter, and Ms. Gloria Starr Kins, editor-in-chief and publisher of Society & Diplomatic Review (SDR), a United Nations accredited publication, are among them. They were honored with mini Golden Bells of World Peace and Love.

To consolidate more kind thoughts for the world, all participants meditated for 60 seconds to pray for all living things. NGO leaders were invited to share their wishes for the world. Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze presented certificates of honor for cultural exchange and Compass Clocks of Conscience to various leaders to honor their efforts to promote love and peace.

The participants were invited to endorse the Declaration of World Prayer Day ( http://www.fowpal.org/Endorse/1016_endorse/ ) and the Declaration of World Day of the Power of Hope ( http://www.fowpal.org/Endorse/powerhope_endorse/ ), encouraging everyone to meditate and self-reflect every day and pray for the world to inject good energy into the planet.

To bring more blessings and good energy to the world, FOWPAL presented diverse and inspiring cultural performances, which were like a cultural feast transcending time and space, including the peacock and peony dance, unique martial arts boxing, and a sword dance. The concluding performance "Happiness Is Everywhere" electrified the audience, ending the event on a very happy note.