Cultural Goodwill group travels to Athens, Greece, the birthplace of democracy, to promote world peace
Love of the World Cultural Goodwill Group, led by Dr. Hong Tao-Tze, Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men and President of Federation of World Peace and Love, continues its global journey to spread love. In early July 2024, the group arrived in Greece, marking it as the 104th country visited. They explored multiple cities and regions, meeting with local leaders and dignitaries. On July 10th, FOWPAL visited the Municipality of Athens, the capital and birthplace of democracy, where they were welcomed by Kostis Papaioannou, Chairman of the Technopolis City of Athens, and Ioanna (Jeannie) Yennimata, President of the City of Athens Reception & Solidarity Centre, on behalf of the Mayor, in the office of the Chairman. Dr. Hong presented souvenirs and a " Compass Clock of Conscience" to the Mayor. The " Compass Clock of Conscience" represents time, direction and goals, and encourages everyone to act with conscience and determination in the hope of hastening the arrival of peace.
Dr. Hong shared with the two representatives the philosophy that "good culture leads to good education; good education leads to a good economy; a good economy leads to a good life; and a good life contributes to national prosperity and peace." Kostis Papaioannou deeply resonated with this sentiment, expressing his desire to promote the concept of world peace through educational initiatives.
Ioanna (Jeannie) Yennimata expressed that this is a challenging time for Europe, given the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Russia, as well as tensions between Israel and Hamas, causing widespread fear. She expressed her hope for smooth sailing for everyone, free from war, and lasting peace.
Volunteers shared that FOWPAL was founded by Dr. Hong Tao-Tze in California, USA, in 2000. Over the years, Dr. Hong has led delegations to 104 countries, actively promoting a culture of peace and conscience through cultural exchanges, bell-ringing ceremonies, and Love and Peace World Leader Summits. Collaborating with various sectors and international partners, Dr. Hong successfully advocated for the establishment of the International Day of Conscience by the United Nations in 2019. In 2022, Dr. Hong declared September 23 as "World Day of the Power of Hope," encouraging people worldwide to act with conscience and determination, with the aim of guiding the planet towards sustainable development through positive energy.
Greece, known as the "cradle of Western civilization," is one of the oldest countries in the world, with established civilizations dating back to around 2700 BC. During this visit, the encounter with Tai Ji Men culture, which boasts over 6,000 years of heritage, represented a meeting of Eastern and Western civilizations with rich historical backgrounds. Despite differing cultural perspectives, there was a shared recognition of a culture of peace, leading to many resonances. The meeting on the 10th proceeded smoothly. During their stay in Athens, they not only experienced the beauty of Greece but also forged friendships with those who share common goals and work collaboratively for the positive development of humanity.
As of now, 147 countries and 554 outstanding leaders, including 71 heads of state and 9 Nobel Peace Prize laureates, have rung the Bell of World Peace and Love, including the Deputy Regional Governor of Thessaly, Dimitrios Tsetsilas, and the Deputy Minister of Health, Dimitrios Vartzopoulos. This initiative has received praise from leaders around the globe.