Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze Honored at EduComunidad 2024 in Ecuador | WPN World People News

Group photo at the opening ceremony of EduComunidad 2024 in Ecuador. From left: Pablo Ponce, Manager of the Johannes Kepler Educational Institution; Alegría Crespo, Ecuador’s Minister of Education; Rosalía Arteaga Serrano, former President of Ecuador; Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, President of the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL); Rómulo López, President of the Ecuadorian Confederation of Catholic Education Establishments (CONFEDEC); and Marcos Zambrano, Rector of ULEAM.

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, president of the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL) and leader of Tai Ji Men, led the FOWPAL delegation to visit South America and participate in EduComunidad 2024 held at the Wyndham Hotel Conference Center in Manta, Ecuador, from October 2 to 3. The event, organized by the Foundation for the Integration and Development of Latin America (FIDAL), featured Dr. Hong as a keynote speaker. In his speech, titled “Tai Ji Men and Its Influence on Youth Education,” Dr. Hong shared the experiences and ideals of FOWPAL, which has visited over 100 countries to promote love, peace, and the education of conscience. Dr. Hong was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Education by FIDAL’s president, former Ecuadorian President Dr. Rosalía Arteaga Serrano, in recognition of his long-standing contributions to global education, love, and peace.

EduComunidad 2024, an important international education event in Ecuador, is held in the city of Manta.

EduComunidad 2024, a prominent international education event in Ecuador, brought together influential leaders in education from countries such as Canada, South Korea, Argentina, El Salvador, Bolivia, Chile, and Spain. Notable attendees included Ecuador’s Minister of Education Alegría Crespo; Marciana Valdivieso, Mayor of Manta; Jorge Eduardo Carrera, Manager of "Ciudad Mitad del Mundo" and representative of the GAD of Pichincha; alongside university presidents and other key figures. The gathering focused on shaping future education strategies to prepare the next generation, with discussions covering topics such as artificial intelligence, digital skills, sustainable development, and educational excellence. During the opening ceremony, Minister Crespo highlighted the importance of integrating civic education as an essential component of human wisdom within the education system.

Alegría Crespo, Ecuador’s Minister of Education, rings the Bell of World Peace and Love, wishing for peace to be promoted through education and harmony.

Ecuador is located in the northwestern part of South America and known for its rich biodiversity and low-carbon policies; however, due to extreme climate change, Ecuador is currently experiencing its most severe drought in 61 years, leading to large-scale power outages. Additionally, Ecuador and many other South American countries are facing rampant wildfires. Despite all these challenges, Dr. Hong and the FOWPAL delegation traveled thousands of miles to Ecuador, the 110th country visited by FOWPAL, hoping to bring favorable weather, blessings, and peace to the nation and the Earth.

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze presents the “Key to the Heart” to Ecuador’s Minister of Education Alegría Crespo, symbolizing the key to unlocking the heart and releasing the power of love for a brighter future for the world.

On October 2 and 3, the FOWPAL delegation hosted two ceremonies of ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love during the event. Minister of Education Alegría Crespo and Dr. Marcos Zambrano, President of Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabi (ULEAM), were invited to ring the Bell, offering wishes for peace and humanity’s sustainable future.

Rosalía Arteaga Serrano, former President of Ecuador and president of FIDAL, presents the Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Education to Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze.

Minister Alegría Crespo expressed deep emotion and excitement, highlighting the significance of the cultural exchange. She described her meeting with FOWPAL as a significant milestone in her life. Emphasizing the role of education in fostering global peace, Minister Crespo stated that the participants are all eternal learners. She urged that harmony should be embraced as a way of life, evident in people’s words, actions, and interactions with others. The minister expressed her hope that education could be a powerful tool in promoting peace worldwide.

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze and former President of Ecuador, Rosalía Arteaga Serrano, visit an artificial intelligence robot exhibit at EduComunidad 2024.

Dr. Marcos Zambrano, President of ULEAM, expressed his wish, stating, “Peace, a sign of love, must multiply for the well-being of humanity.”

The FOWPAL delegation performs the song "We Can Change the World," as the audience raises their phones, lighting up the hall to symbolize the light of hope.

Former Ecuadorian President Rosalía Arteaga Serrano has been actively participating in FOWPAL’s online platforms in support of the International Day of Conscience (ICDAY), helping spread conscience education among global citizens. At the event on October 3, she served as the moderator and introduced Dr. Hong to the attendees. She mentioned that she had the privilege of meeting Dr. Hong at the United Nations earlier this year and learned about his significant efforts to advance education and peace globally.

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze poses for a photo with local teachers and students attending EduComunidad 2024.

In Dr. Hong’s speech titled “Tai Ji Men and Its Influence on Youth Education,” he pointed out the urgent need to promote education of conscience globally: “Youth are the driving force of the future world, full of vitality and creativity; however, they are also at a stage of life easily influenced by their emotions, peers, and environment. In the 21st century, with an overwhelming influx of information, diverse applications of artificial intelligence across various fields, and the pervasive influence of social media, it is crucial to harness the power of conscience education. This education inspires individuals to awaken their innate goodness, guiding youth to discern right from wrong, advance in the right direction, uphold justice, embrace moral courage, cultivate virtuous behavior, correct their faults, preserve their true nature, and shed any false facades. Through the guidance and influence of a good culture, we can enable the younger generations to fully develop their creativity and potential, actively creating more goodwill and positive actions for the world.”

Tai Ji Men dizi perform martial arts, inspiring the audience to embrace justice, protect love and peace, and promote a spirit of benevolence.

Carol Huang, a Tai Ji Men dizi (apprentice) who grew up in Guayaquil, Ecuador, shared her story on stage. She talked about how her family faced many challenges after her mother’s passing three years ago. During a particularly difficult time last year, she joined Tai Ji Men, where Dr. Hong taught her how to maintain inner balance and peace, which helped her move forward in life.

Arthur Hsieh, another Tai Ji Men dizi, shared that people face many challenges daily, but Dr. Hong has taught him the most important thing in life is to be happy. He encouraged everyone to start smiling, as a smile can spread to those around them and bring joy.

Former President Rosalía Arteaga Serrano and Dr. Hong also co-signed the Declaration of World Day of the Power of Hope, encouraging attendees and all global citizens to support this declaration and take action with conscience and the power of hope to ensure the safety, peace, and sustainability of the world.

The FOWPAL delegation delivered an inspiring martial arts demonstration, encouraging the audience to uphold justice, protect love and peace, and assist those in need, embodying the spirit of resolving conflicts and promoting kindness. The performance of the song "We Can Change the World" filled the venue with a sense of hope, as attendees waved their phones, creating a sea of lights symbolizing the spread of hope. The powerful display inspired everyone to take action in spreading love and peace, guided by conscience. The atmosphere was deeply moving.

On the evening of October 3, the 16th National Contest and 11th Ibero-American Contest for Educational Excellence was held at ULEAM, along with a grand awards ceremony. Awards were presented to outstanding teachers for excellence in education, as well as to national and international figures who have made significant contributions to social, cultural, and educational progress and history. Former President Rosalía Arteaga Serrano, on behalf of the FIDAL Foundation and Edu@news magazine, presented Dr. Hong with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Education, recognizing his leadership of FOWPAL and his dedication to global education, love, and conscience for the promotion of peace.