FOWPAL’s Peace Bell Resonates with Conscience | WPN World People News

Ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love symbolizes a call to action. Bell ringers make wishes for love and peace for themselves, the world, and future generations. The peaceful resonance of the bell spreads across the earth, influencing critical moments in the world's destiny. As of September 24, 2024, 583 distinguished leaders from 150 countries have rung the Bell, including 72 heads of state and government and 15 Nobel Peace Prize Laureates.

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, center, poses for a photo with four Nobel Peace Prize Laureates. From left, Jody Williams, Oscar Arias Sanchez, F.W. de Klerk, and Joseph Rotblat. Each of them rang the Bell of World Peace and Love.

The Dalai Lama, 1989 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, rang the Bell and stated, “Real peace must be developed from within. As such it is important to quell the fire of hatred. That also has to come through education.”

Former East Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta, the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, rang the Bell and wished for “world peace.” He was recognized for his work toward a peaceful solution to the conflict in East Timor.

Betty Williams, 1976 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, rang the Bell and wished “Every child born in the world can live in peace, justice and freedom." She was honored for her efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Northern Ireland.

Oscar Arias Sanchez, 1987 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and former President of Costa Rica, rang the Bell and wished “for the whole world to enjoy peace.” He proposed a plan to put an end to the cruel civil wars that were devastating Central America.

Frederik W. De Klerk, the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and former South African President, rang the Bell and stated, “We will achieve peace, through winning the war against poverty, through expanding democracy and through reaching out to each other.” He was instrumental in the abolition of South Africa's apartheid system.

Joseph Rotblat, the 1995 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, rang the Bell and stated, “Remember your humanity.” He is a Polish-British physicist, committed to eliminating the threat of nuclear weapons.

Jody Williams, the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, rang the Bell and stated, “Peace will prevail when individual’s and people’s voices are truly heard in determining their future.” She actively participated in the international campaign to ban landmines and promoted the signing of a convention, and jointly won the award with the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL).

Jerry White, the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, expressed that ringing the significant Bell, which symbolizes peace across the universe and the world, was truly special and that he was proud to participate in the resonance of conscience. He stated, “I wish and pray and invite a landmine-free, nuclear-weapon-free, barrier-free, victim-free world at peace.”

Abdessattar Ben Moussa, 2015 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, rang the Bell and shared his heartfelt aspiration for peace: "Love is the best ambassador of peace. This is why we wish for the achievement of peace through love and friendship, but the wish is not enough. This is why we must work to build a culture of peace through dialogue between peoples and protecting nature, condemning violence, hatred and racism and campaigning to stop wars and annihilate destructive weapons.”