Actively Promoting UN Goals In Memory of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Secretary-General Annan

2022-11-09

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Former UN Secretary Kofi Annan was a key driver of the UN Millennium Development Goals. (Photo: Kofi Annan Facebook)

The lessons of World War II led to the birth of the United Nations. However, the current international tension and complex situations are even worse than those before World War II and mankind is also suffering from global warming, food shortages, energy crises and many others. UN Secretary General issued stern warning about the future: “Our world is in peril and paralyzed.” On October 16, 2022, "Conscience Illuminating the World" - Global Prayers for Love and Peace was held at the National Taiwan University Sports Complex. On that day, nearly 30,000 people from 108 countries responded enthusiastically to the event, and more than 500 multinational co-organizers joined the event. Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men, declared October 16 of each year to be "World Prayer Day", a day to commemorate___. Global solidarity and cooperation is imminent, and the “One good thought, One bad thought" of world leaders affects the common destiny of humanity. At this critical time, we especially commemorate Mr. Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, who redefined the United Nations.

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In 2000, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze shared his philosophy of love and peace with UN Secretary General Annan.

Born in Ghana, Kofi Annan was the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations (1997-2006), and his humanitarian work earned him the Nobel Peace Prize with the UN in 2001. Annan passed away after a short illness at the age of 80 on August 18, 2018 in Switzerland (1938-2018). The current UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, noted: “ Kofi Annan was the United Nations.” He complimented him on rising through the ranks to lead the organization into the new millennium with matchless dignity and determination. At the 67th UN DPI/NGO Conference 2018 (8/22-8/23) in New York, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, President of FOWPAL and Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men, also led a group of NGO representatives in a memorial prayer for Secretary-General Annan.

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In 2002, a prayer ceremony was held at a church in New York to commemorate the anniversary of 9/11, with UN Secretary General Annan, Dr. and Mrs. Hong and FOWPAL members in attendance to pray for the victims.

Bringing the UN Closer to the People Uniting the Power of NGOs

Committed to "bringing the United Nations closer to people," Mr. Annan took office by proposing measures to revitalize UN reform and by actively building closer partnerships with civil society, the private sector, and other non-state actors that contribute to the UN's capacity. He worked to revitalize the UN through reform programs, to strengthen the UN's work in developing and maintaining international peace and security, to encourage and promote human rights, the rule of law, and the values of the UN Charter, and to restore public trust in the UN.

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In 2005, the 60th anniversary of the United Nations, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze met with Secretary General Annan and his wife at a dinner.

Over the years, Dr. Hong has attended many international conferences organized by the United Nations and has maintained correspondence with heads of state and leaders from all walks of life, providing many valuable suggestions. At the 53rd Annual UN DPI/NGO Conference in 2000, Dr. Hong shared his vision of love and peace with UN Secretary General Annan and presented a paper on the vision of economic and social development - "Sharing Goals for Economic and Social Development: The Urgent Need for Global Solidarity.” At the 2002 World Summit on Sustainability in Johannesburg, South Africa, Dr. Hong presented "The Negative Impact of Military Activities on the Global Environment," calling on the world to take into account the impact of wars on the environment and on future generations.

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Dr. Ramu Damodaran, Director of Social Services, External Development Agency (Civil), United Nations Department of Public Information, who represented Secretary-General Annan at the seminar in 2005, rang the Bell of World Peace and Love.

In 2002, a prayer ceremony was held at a church in New York to commemorate the anniversary of 911, with UN Secretary General Annan, Dr. Hong and FOWPAL members in attendance to pray for the victims. 22 UN ambassadors and leaders of various organizations rang the Bell at FOWPAL's Ceremony of Ringing the "Bell of World Peace and Love " in New York.

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In 2010, the World Summit on Human Rights for World Citizens launched a global essay campaign called "Kind Words, Good Intentions Safeguard Our Planet". 196 countries participated in the event, and former UN Secretary General Annan also shared his essays in response.

Dr. Hong had been corresponding with Secretary General Annan for about seven years and had launched a number of important declarations, especially in line with the goals of the United Nations, which have had a great impact on the world. In 2004, he forwarded to the UN Secretary General Annan a CD-ROM of the results of the declaration of "A Wish for World Peace" endorsed by 2 million people from 158 countries around the world, expressing the common desire for love and peace worldwide in a CD.

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During the 2018 UN DPI/NGO Conference, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze led a group of NGO representatives in a memorial prayer for Secretary-General Annan.

Advancing the UN Millennium Development Goals

Secretary-General Annan once said that he was most proud of the launch of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In April 2000, under the title "We the Peoples - The Role of the United Nations in the 21st Century," Secretary-General Annan launched his Millennium Report, calling on Member States to commit themselves to an action plan to eradicate poverty and inequality, improve education, reduce AIDS, protect the environment, and protect people from deadly conflict and violence. The report formed the basis for the Millennium Declaration adopted by heads of state and government at the Millennium Summit held at UN Headquarters in September, 2000. And in 2001 the UN received the Nobel Peace Prize with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in recognition of his efforts to create a "more organized and peaceful world.

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During the Ceremony of " Conscience Illuminating the World" - Global Prayers for Love and Peace on October 16, 2022, Dr. Hong led a 60-second global meditation for blessings, which received enthusiastic responses from 108 countries.

In 2005, the 60th anniversary of the United Nations, Secretary-General Kofi Annan especially invited the world's heads of state to explore ways to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. The 58th UN DPI/NGO Conference (9/7-9/9) was held in New York, and Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze led a delegation to attend the conference and met with Secretary General Annan and his wife during the dinner. Dr. Hong was invited to speak at the seminar "UN Reform: Enhancing the Voice of the People at the United Nations" organized by the Civil Organization of the United Nations People's Assembly. And Dr. Ramu Damodaran, Director of the Social Services Division of the External Development Council (Civil) of the United Nations Department of Public Information, who represented Secretary-General Annan, rang the Bell of World Peace and Love.

Defending Human Rights and Promoting World Peace

On April 1, 2010, Dr. Hong Tao-Tze, Honorary Vice President of the United Nations NGO World Citizens, President of Federation of World Peace and Love and Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men, called for the Summit on Human Rights for World Citizens to address the global health issues related to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and echoes the World Declaration on Human Rights and the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in various countries. The conference launched a global essay campaign on "Good Words, Good Intentions Safeguard Our Planet", with 196 countries participating and over 250,000 articles registered. Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and King Prayuth of Thailand both sent congratulatory letters in support of the campaign.

Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan also responded to the event by sharing papers on issues such as "World Civilizations: Bridging the World's Divides" and "World Organisation Against Torture". Annan noted from the fight against torture to the defense of human rights, stating, "Recent years have also shown that an increasing number of Governments are allowing torture to spread and that an apathetic public appears to tolerate the practice. In an era of global interdependence, rights that were once conceived as inalienable are more and more subject to systematic violations under the excuse of expediency or to justify the protection of democratic principles or economic growth. The assault on the human rights accomplishments of the past sixty years cannot go unanswered.” Annan emphasized that "Human rights activities constitute a strong rampart not only against gross violations but also against shameful indifference.”

The 2010 World Summit on Human Rights for World Citizens drew an enthusiastic response from heads of state, including Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Ambassadors to the United Nations, former Chairman of the UN NGO/DPI Executive Committee, Chairman of the 57th Annual UN NGO/DPI Conference, Secretary General of Amnesty International Headquarters, President of Lebanon, President of Ireland, President of Croatia, President of Ecuador, President of Brazil, President of Israel, President of South Korea, Prime Minister of Canada, Prime Minister of Iceland, Prime Minister of Ireland, Prime Minister of Austria, Prime Minister of Belgium, Prime Minister of Lebanon, Prime Minister of Croatia, Prime Minister of Australia, King of Luxembourg, King of Belgium, King of Thailand, Queen of Denmark, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Queen of England, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Governor of Canada, Governor of Australia, Governor of Belize, Governor of Jamaica, Crown Princess of Jordan, President of Dominica, President of Guyana, President of the Philippines, the current President of South Africa, two former Presidents and Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Nelson Mandela and Jacques Dykstra, President of Ireland and High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Speaker of the Paraguayan House of Representatives, the President of the Human Rights Commission of Guatemala, the Ambassador of Paraguay to ROC, the Ambassador of Sao Tome and Principe to ROC, the Mandela Foundation, the Dalai Lama Foundation, and the Bill Gates Foundation, among others.

Life is short no matter if you live a hundred years. Grasp the opportunity of the finite time we have is a time to create infinite value. Therefore, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze especially misses the exchanges during Annan's tenure as UN Secretary General, when we attended prayer ceremony in church together during the UN General Assembly for several years in a row and formed a deep friendship. On October 16, the Global Prayers Day, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze paid special tribute to these three friends - the Queen of United Kingdom, the King of Thailand, and Annan - for their friendship over the past one and two decades. In remembrance of their lifelong contributions to the world, Tai Ji Men Dizi and FOWPAL members pay special tribute to them in hope that we can all unite, emulate and learn from their spirit of working for world peace, and work together to create love and peace for the world.