Judges and FOWPAL Volunteers Pay Tribute to Mahatma Gandhi Together | WPN World People News

The 18th International Conference of Chief Justices of the World, sponsored by India’s City Montessori School (CMS), was held in Lucknow, India on Nov. 8-14, 2017. Heads of state, chief justices, judges, and other leaders of various circles were invited to the event to seek better solutions to the world’s chaotic situation through international exchanges. Prior to the conference, the honored guests were invited to visit the Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the modern world. They also visited the mausoleum of Mahatma Gandhi to commemorate his philosophy of peace, campaign of "nonviolent" civil disobedience, and spirit of self-sacrifice during the Indian struggle for independence, which led to the end of British rule in India.

The judges visited the Taj Mahal in India and happily took pictures with the young delegates of FOWPAL, who made hand gestures of “doves.”

This year the cultural goodwill delegation of the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL) attended the conference for the 8th time. Most members of the delegation were young international volunteers from all walks of life, symbolizing the hope of a new generation. With friendly and bright smiles, they warmly communicated with the judges of various countries and shared the endorsement campaign of the Declaration for the Movement of An Era of Conscience, the Declaration on Taxpayer's Human Rights, and the Declaration of World Citizens. The judges were very touched and encouraged. Many of them happily took pictures with the volunteers, who were making hand gestures of “doves” and “gestures of conscience.”

Delegates of FOWPAL sang a song titled "The Angel in Your Heart" before the mausoleum of Mahatma Gandhi and cheerfully took a picture with the judges.

Saw San Lin, chief justice of Myanmar, walked with the FOWPAL volunteers on the way to the mausoleum. Originally, he had a very serious look. After he saw the smiles and vitality of the volunteers, he gradually laughed together with them and showed his sense of humor and playful spirit. While the volunteers were singing a song titled "The Angel in Your Heart" in front of the mausoleum of Mahatma Gandhi, Justice Lin swayed his body to the melody. After reading the Declaration on Taxpayer’s Human Rights, he immediately endorsed it and said that the concept of taxpayer’s human rights is something his country needs to promote.

Young international volunteers of FOWPAL enthusiastically shared with other attendees the endorsement campaign of the Declaration for the Movement of An Era of Conscience, the Declaration on Taxpayer's Human Rights, and the Declaration of World Citizens.

Mr. M.C.B Maphalala, chief justice of Swaziland, said that the conference attendees do not want war, so they participated in the event. The mission of judges is to provide fair and impartial justice to protect people’s rights by law. Ms. Olga Velazquez Ugalde, a prosecutor from Costa Rica, who attended the conference for the second time this year, was very impressed with the ceremony of ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love and the speech by Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, president of FOWPAL, last year. She said that as a prosecutor, she had seen too much of the dark side of society. Since she retired last year, she planned to join the ranks of volunteers in the future and work together for the betterment of the world.

Yu-Chen Lin, a FOWPAL volunteer and college freshman, enthusiastically and confidently shared with justices the notion of taxpayer's human rights and the Declaration for the Movement of An Era of Conscience. Lin said, "When they know young people like me are so concerned about human rights and taxation issues at the national level, they are very surprised. I am very grateful to Dr. Hong for teaching me to have a broad worldview and to be able to bravely express my thoughts."

Lixin Li, a lawyer, said, “We are all volunteers. When more and more people are involved in the efforts to create a brighter future for all, the joint forces can make the world a better place. Every heart that is full of warmth and love is like a magnet, quickly attracting one another. Every judge and prosecutor, when starting his or her career, was full of the ideals of justice and cared a lot about society. I am very happy to meet with them here and share Dr. Hong's ideas with them. Together we will continue to work for a better world."

In different corners of the Earth, terrorist attacks are occurring with increasing frequency and wars are on the verge of breaking out. The treacherous world situation makes many people feel anxious. Everyone deeply aspires to world peace. The activation of conscience is precisely the key to peace. On January 1, 2014, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze initiated the movement of An Era of Conscience. Since the movement was launched, it has received warm responses from all over the world. When all people start from themselves, thinking good thoughts and showing kindness to others, we will surely be able to defuse disputes and threats of war and return to a peaceful world.

source: Federation of World Peace and Love