Resolving War Crisis with Wisdom,
Former Dominican President Fernández Receives the
"FOWPAL PEACE BELL AWARD".
Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, Vice-president of the United Nations NGO Association of World Citizens, President of the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL) and the Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men, and former President of the Dominican Republic, Leonel Fernández, gathered at the Union League Club in New York City on September 20, 2023, the eve of the opening of the Global Forum on Latin America and the Caribbean. In recognition of President Fernández's significant contributions to the advancement of world peace and development, Dr. Hong presented him with the FOWPAL PEACE BELL AWARD and the citation, an Order of Merit, and a limited commemorative silver coin for the 80th birthday of the Zhang-men-ren in front of nearly one hundred distinguished guests from all over the world.
Since its completion in 2000, the "Bell of World Peace and Love " with the engraving of the "Declararion of Internation Love and Peace Day”, has traveled to five continents with the Cultural Goodwill delegations to promote the culture of peace with love and conscience. The ringing of the Bell represents the power of love, peace, and actions. Up to date, 524 influential leaders from 137 nations have rung the Bell, including 59 heads of state and 9 Nobel Peace Prize laureates. Among the ringers, former Dominican President Fernández's impact in promoting world peace through concrete actions has become an international legend in particular.
In 2005, President Fernández, then President of the Dominican Republic, attended the "World Leader Summit of Love and Peace" organized by FOWOAL in New York. President Fernández rang the Bell of World Peace and Love and made a wish "I wish that people all over the world can understand each other, and that love and peace can prevail.”On the same day, President Fernández and Dr. Hong turned the“Key of the World” that symbolizes the initiation of peace and love by heads of states.
In March 2008, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela were on the brink of war. President Fernández mediated among the leaders and resolved the crisis with his wisdom. Prdsident Fernández indeed put into action his commitment to peace he made during the ringing of the bell, and saved millions of lives from the scourge of war.
The award of the“ FOWPAL PEACE BELL AWARD” recognizes former President Fernández for his wisdom in resolving wars, saving countless lives and advancing world peace and stability, as well as for his outstanding academic achievements in the areas of freedom of the press, history, sociology, communication, foreign relations, and education, making him one of the most respected and distinguished scholars of the time. Inheriting the spirit and design of the “Bell of World Peace and Love”, the " FOWPAL PEACE BELL AWARD " encourages former President Fernández to continue acting with love and peace for the benefit of the world.
JUAN CARLOS RODRIGUEZ, a politician who will be running for the Dominican Congress in 2024, heartly greeted FOWPAL and former President Fernánde’s many years of cooperation saying,“With so many wars and conflicts in the world, we need love and peace around the world more than ever. Organizations like this is needed to spreade love and peace overd the world." “Before we take any action, we have to think twice and always have a kind heart in everything," he said.
At the evening gala , Dr. Hong invited former President Fernandez and the attendees to attend the upcoming Tai Ji Men Cultural extravaganzas to be held in California. Over the years, Dr. Hong has taken advantages of the United States as a gateway to promote love and peace around the world. In 2000, Dr. Hong founded the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL) in California to continue to promote the concept of love and peace. In 2000 and 2001, Dr. Hong established Tai Ji Men Qigong Academies in Los Angeles and San Jose to help advance the physical and spiritual health of modern people, and now has dizi all over the world, benefiting more than tens of thousands of families. In October, 2023, a series of events will be held to celebrate the opening of the Santa Clara and Pasadena Academies. The events include large-scale cultural performances which will enrich the body, mind and spirits, such as the innovation of the classic drama dated in the Sydney Olympics “Back to the Origin”and a cultural feast "Cultural Gems: Love & Prayers for the World" that combines martial arts, dance and art from the ancient Tai Ji Men culture which inherites the essence of the culture for more than 6,000 years . The events are free non-profit performances of Goodwill Culture and seating is limited. For more information, please visit [Northern California] https://www.taijimen.org/events/sj-opening or [Southern California] https://www.taijimen.org/events/la-opening.