Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze Lauded for Promoting Love and Peace
Conscience as Compass: Sound Advice for World Leaders
In response to the urgent need for global stability through unity and cooperation among nations, the 27th Eurasian Economic Summit was held in Türkiye on February 21 and 22, convening nearly 300 dignitaries from 40 countries.
Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, the leader of Tai Ji Men, president of the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL), and vice president of the ECOSOC-accredited NGO Association of World Citizens, led delegates of FOWPAL and Tai Ji Men to attend the conference by invitation. During the conference, a ceremony of ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love took place. Thirteen notable leaders, including Valdis Zatlers, former President of Latvia (2007-2011), and Petre Roman, former Prime Minister of Romania (1989-1991), participated in the bell-ringing ceremony and made their wishes for peace.
To date, 544 prominent leaders from 146 countries, including 70 heads of state and government as well as 9 Nobel Peace Prize laureates, have rung the Bell. These bell-ringers have expressed wishes for love and peace for themselves, the world, and future generations, exerting positive influence during critical moments in the world's destiny. Additionally, the delegates of FOWPAL and Tai Ji Men advocated for the signing of three important declarations: the "Declaration of World Day of the Power of Hope," the "Declaration of International Day of Conscience," and the "Declaration of World Prayer Day." The aim is to harness global positive energy and guide the Earth towards the path of sustainable development.
Over the past few decades, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze has been advocating for a culture of love and conscience on the international platform, engaging in dialogues on love and peace with leaders worldwide through correspondence. In a recent letter, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his belief that India is swiftly progressing towards a radiant, prosperous, and inclusive future in what he refers to as the Golden Age (Amrit Kaal). He emphasized the significance of Dr. Hong's contribution to guiding India towards new heights of progress.
Assisting the United Nations in Sustainable Development: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Expresses Gratitude
In 2016, the United Nations initiated the promotion of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 66th United Nations DPI/NGO Conference, held in Gyeongju, South Korea in May, centered on global citizenship education. At this conference, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze presented a paper titled "Global Hope: Conscience, Education, and Culture," offering solutions for the United Nations' sustainable development efforts. He further aligned with the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the "Declaration for the Movement of An Era of Conscience" and the "Declaration of World Citizens."
The delegates of FOWPAL and Tai Ji Men actively promoted the signing activities of the "Declaration for the Movement of An Era of Conscience" and the "Declaration of World Citizens," personally introducing the significance of these declarations to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. During this trip, Dr. Hong was honored with the "World Citizen Peace Culture Education Award" by Bircan Ünver, the founder and chairman of The Light Millennium, in recognition of his efforts to promote a culture of love and peace worldwide and global citizenship education. Additionally, Dr. Rene Wadlow, president of the Association of World Citizens, presented Dr. Hong with the "World Citizen Sustainable Development Award," acknowledging his and his organizations’ contributions to the global promotion of love and peace.
In June 2016, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon wrote back to Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, affirming that despite enduring significant global challenges, Dr. Hong's continued support of the United Nations remains a source of inspiration. Both parties share a commitment to fostering a peaceful and prosperous future, alongside preserving a healthy planet for all inhabitants. This exchange of correspondence traces back to 2008. Within the then UN chief's letter, he reiterated his steadfast dedication to cultivating and upholding world peace, expressing appreciation for Dr. Hong's support, which contributes to the attainability of this objective. Furthermore, the letter conveyed gratitude for Dr. Hong's enduring trust in the UN Secretary-General and Dr. Hong’s unwavering dedication to the mission and objectives of the United Nations.
For decades, Dr. Hong has been actively supporting the United Nations in its efforts to achieve global solidarity and world peace. During the 53rd United Nations DPI/NGO Conference in 2000, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze shared his ideas of love and peace with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and published a paper advocating for the urgency and importance of global solidarity. Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze and his wife had multiple meetings with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to discuss their philosophy of peace.
U.S. President Obama: Moving Towards a Brighter Tomorrow
In August 2016, U.S. President Obama personally signed a letter thanking Dr. Hong and emphasized that the United States is dedicated to promoting human rights on a global scale, extending beyond its own borders. He also pointed out that in numerous regions, individuals continue to face persecution for their beliefs, incarceration for their principles, and repercussions for their convictions. As a nation firmly committed to safeguarding freedom and equality, the U.S. government emphasizes the importance of honoring the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, irrespective of their location, beliefs, or identity, said President Obama, stressing that the need for human dignity and justice should not be exploited, regardless of gender or age; no one should have their human rights denied because of the way they pray or love. Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze and President Obama have been exchanging letters since Obama took office as President of the United States in 2009. President Obama expressed gratitude to Dr. Hong for his kind and beautiful words, stating that Dr. Hong’s caring words and the eagerness of millions of Americans to lead the country towards a brighter future shine together.
In 2023, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze was honored with the U.S. President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, signed by U.S. President Biden, recognizing Dr. Hong and the members of the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL) for their collective contribution of 1.2 million service hours to the United States. On March 31, 2023, in New York, the award was presented by 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. During the presentation, President Biden's letter was read, stating, "By sharing your time and passion, you are helping discover and deliver solutions to the challenges we face - solutions that we need now more than ever. We are living in a moment that calls for hope and light and love. Hope for our futures, light to see our way forward, and love for one another. Through your service, you are providing all three.”
Key Promoter of United Nations’ International Day of Conscience
Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze plays a pivotal role in the establishment of the United Nations’ “International Day of Conscience.” Since 2014, Dr. Hong has spearheaded the “An Era of Conscience” movement and authored the “Declaration for the Movement of An Era of Conscience.” He has urged organizations such as the FOWPAL, the ECOSOC-accredited NGO Association of World Citizens, and Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy to collaborate in promoting this initiative to 200 countries or territories worldwide. Commencing on April 5, 2018, Dr. Hong, in partnership with the Permanent Missions to the UN of Bahrain, Kiribati, Equatorial Guinea, and others, held more than ten meetings at the United Nations headquarters in New York and Vienna. Together, they formulated the draft resolution "Promoting the Culture of Peace with Love and Conscience."
On July 25, 2019, during its 73rd session, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution proposed by the Kingdom of Bahrain, “Promoting the Culture of Peace with Love and Conscience,” declaring April 5 as International Day of Conscience. Despite the global ravages of the COVID-19 virus, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze still led members of the Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy through the Internet to support the UN-designated days and hold a series of online activities for “International Day of Conscience,” sending positive energy to the world through the Internet. Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona, former President of Trinidad and Tobago, stated: “International Day of Conscience further empowers us all to ensure the protection of human rights, due process and rule of law, equality of treatment, integrity, and accountability in governance, supporting environmental conservation while ensuring that no one, and I repeat, no one is left behind!” Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, former President of Mauritius, said: “As a human race, let us go back to what we stand for on this planet. Let us move away from our egocentric daily and relearn to start giving, sharing, and caring more for our families, societies, nations, and the planet. Just like all positive actions, it starts with each one of us.”
On October 16, 2022, the International Ceremony of Love and Peace, under the theme of “Conscience Illuminating the World," was organized, heralded as "the dawn of a new spiritual approach to addressing global crises." The conference received letters and blessings from international leaders, including UN Secretary-General Guterres, US President Biden, French President Macron, Colombian President, Portuguese Prime Minister, Dutch King, Belgian King, and others. On this occasion, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, the leader of Tai Ji Men, issued the "Declaration of World Prayer Day," proclaiming October 16 of each year as "World Prayer Day." This day commemorates global unity in "praying for the world" with sincerity and reverence, offering prayers to the heavens. The main event took place at the National Taiwan University Sports Center, with representatives from major religions such as Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism, and Christianity, as well as diplomats stationed in Taiwan and individuals from various walks of life, in attendance. Simultaneously, the event was held in California, United States. The conference initiated a "60-second silent prayer," synchronized across time zones globally through the Internet, invoking conscience to gather all that is good and to spread love and peace worldwide. This event was co-hosted by six organizations, including the Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy, Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL), the ECOSOC-accredited NGO Association of World Citizens, Tai Ji Men Culture and Education Foundation, Ho Mei Foundation, and Hong Tao Tze Foundation. It attracted participation from over 500 organizations as co-organizers and received support from individuals in 108 countries.
For three consecutive years, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze was invited to lead a delegation to Istanbul to participate in the annual Eurasian Economic Summit, organized by the Marmara Group Foundation in Türkiye. The 2024 conference was themed “Overcoming Crisis, Building Stability: Collaborating to Build a More Inclusive World.” A special ceremony of ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love was held at the opening ceremony. Dr. Akkan Suver, the chair of the conference, and Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze jointly signed the “Declaration of World Day of the Power of Hope,” hoping to connect the hearts of all people in the world, with love and peace as the driving force, in pursuit of a better world.
The conference was attended by nearly 300 heads of state, politicians, diplomats, scholars, religious leaders, and business people from approximately 40 countries. Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze also delivered a speech at the conference under the theme "Practicing Conscience, Turning Crisis into Peace." He urged individuals, from national leaders to global citizens, to follow their conscience and engage in acts of kindness in their respective roles. This, he emphasized, would help halt the world's decline and pave the way for a brighter future for all humanity, reigniting vitality. During the conference, 13 influential leaders, including ten heads of state and government, from various fields rang the Bell of World Peace and Love, pledging for peace and exerting positive influence at a crucial juncture.
In an era marked by frequent natural disasters and human tragedies, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze remains steadfast in advocating for a culture of peace rooted in love and conscience. His advocacy not only impacts leaders across nations but also generates a ripple effect of benevolence worldwide. Conscience serves as the cornerstone for sustainable development and the betterment of the global community. Each individual has the potential to act as a conscientious leader, promoting love and peace. All are warmly welcomed to sign the Declaration of International Day of Conscience, the Declaration of World Day of the Power of Hope, and the Declaration of World Prayer Day. By doing so, people can share their goodwill and positive intentions, contributing to the overall well-being of humanity.