Global Solidarity in Support of the United Nations: Creating New Opportunities Together
The current global situation is even more chaotic than that before World War II. The 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly opened in New York in September 2022, with more than 150 heads of state, foreign ministers, and other leaders in attendance. “Our world is in peril and paralyzed,” warned UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the opening of the UN General Assembly.
The Sound of the Bell of World Peace and Love Resonates in New York
On September 21, International Day of Peace, a bell ringing ceremony was held in Times Square in New York City. Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze rang the bell nine times to pray for the world.
During the high-level week of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, Tai Ji Men hosted bell ringing ceremonies. On September 20, Eritrea's Ambassador to the United Nations Sophia Tesfamariam Yohannes rang the bell and prayed for the world. She is the first female ambassador of Eritrea to the United Nations. Ambassador Yohannes stated, “Peace is very important, because it's fundamental for everything that we do, for education, for learning, for development, for security. If there is no peace, you don't have anything else.” She expressed her excitement when being invited to ring the Bell, adding, “I want to ring it hard so that it reaches the blue building, and every other building here so everybody feels working for peace is the most important thing that we do here.”
On September 21, the International Day of Peace, a ceremony of ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love was held at Times Square in New York City. Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, president of FOWPAL, rang the bell nine times and made three wishes: The first was for everyone to follow their conscience and do good deeds. The second was for all living creatures to live in safety and peace, and the third was for global peace and sustainability. Paul Sladkus, founder and president of the Good News Corporation, rang the bell and wished that all people would continue to work for peace for everyone. Tai Ji Men youth members sang an inspiring song titled "A Prayer for Peace," composed by Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, conveying their blessings for all.
On that day, FOWPAL also hosted a virtual event, inviting peace activists to share their experiences in promoting peace. The highlights of the earlier celebration in Times Square, including the bell ringing ceremonies, were shared during the virtual commemoration to allow the sound of the bell to reach every corner of the Earth.
The online observance also revisited the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001. In the wake of the tragic incident, Dr. Hong and his delegation held ceremonies of ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love in New York on September 11-13. The Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN) invited FOWPAL to conduct a bell ringing ceremony at its studio, which was broadcast for four hours, sending blessings to all corners of the United States, praying that the souls of those departed would rest in peace and the living would be comforted.
Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, president of FOWPAL, is honored by New York City Mayor with a citation. From left, Harlem Globetrotter Bobby Hunter, New York City Sheriff Anthony Miranda, Dr. Hong, and Johnny Ford, president of the World Conference of Mayors. (AP Images)
World Leader Summit of Love and Peace
Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze honored with Global Humanitarian Leadership Award
On September 23, FOWPAL, the Permanent Mission of Kiribati to the UN, International Federation for Peace and Sustainable Development, Africana Women Working Group at the UN, Marmara Group Foundation, Foundation for a Drug-Free World Americas Chapter, and COJEP International co-organized the World Leader Summit of Love and Peace and the ceremony of ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love, where President of Kiribati Taneti Maamau delivered a speech, and 13 leaders in various fields rang the Bell and made wishes for peace. Over 100 people from 27 nations attended the event.
Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone, rang the bell and made a wish for peace.
Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, leader of Tai Ji Men and president of FOWPAL, delivered welcome remarks, emphasizing, “Conscience is the foundation of human beings and the cornerstone of global stability and sustainability. Conscience guides us to tell true from false, right from wrong, and good from bad, as well as helps us establish priorities. Persistence brings strength. We need to strive for a better tomorrow. That is the way forward and will lead to a hopeful future.”
President Taneti Maamau of Kiribati delivered a keynote speech at the summit, emphasizing, “While we are proud to learn that the promotion of International Day of Conscience is sustaining momentum around the world, let us also ponder on how can we create and inspire a sustainable world built on conscience. It is imperative to ask this question: How are we willing to apply our conscience to promote a culture of peace and global prosperity?”
Thirteen leaders rang the Bell of World Peace and Love, including Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone; Victoria Irabor, president of Defense and Police Officers Wives Association, Nigeria; Dr. Ada Okika, UN Coordinator of Africana Women Working Group at the UN; Dr. Monica Sanchez, culture ambassador and founder of Miss Caricom International Foundation; Ambassador Dr. Denis Atchade Assongba, president of the Beninese Alliance of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut; Ralph Kader, head of Information Technology at the United Nations; Dr. Agorom C. Dike, president and founder of the Caribbean and African Faith-Based Leadership Conference; Johnny Ford, founder and president of the World Conference of Mayors and Historic Black Towns and Settlements Alliance; Anthony Miranda, New York City Sheriff; Dr. Binod Verma, former president of New York State Academy of General Dentistry; Dr. Charles Olawole, president of the Pan African Unity Summit Group; Harlem Globetrotter Bobby Hunter, chairman of the United Churches; and John L. German, main representative to the United Nations, Centre for International Peacebuilding.
On behalf of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Johnny Ford, president of the World Conference of Mayors, and Harlem Globetrotter Bobby Hunter jointly presented a citation from the mayor of New York City to honor Dr. Hong for promoting the UN goals. In the capacity of the president of the World Conference of Mayors, Johnny Ford proclaimed the evening of September 23, 2022 as Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze night.
At the summit, the Foundation for a Drug-Free World Americas Chapter and the ECOSOC-accredited NGO COJEP International presented the Global Humanitarian Leadership Award to Dr. Hong in recognition of his advocacy of love and peace around the world.
The summit also featured a multicultural feast. Tai Ji Men dizi presented martial arts performances, dances and singing to convey their kind wishes for everyone. Through an elegant Celestial Peacock Dance, Tai Ji Men encouraged people to spread positivity and make the world a better place as according to legend, the celestial peacock digests poisons and exhales fragrance. Tai Ji Men dizi presented several songs, including “A Prayer for Peace” and “We Can Change the World” to pray for the world.
【Special Report】Taking Actions of Conscience, 52 Influential Leaders Ring Tai Ji Men’s Peace Bell to Pray for World Peace More link: http://en.worldpeoplenews.com/sites/en.worldpeoplenews.com/files/50influ...
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