Commemoration of International Day of Human Fraternity
Awakening Human Fraternity
with Conscience and Practicing Peace
Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze
President of Federation of World Peace and Love
Vice-President of Association of World Citizens
Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men
Feb. 04, 2022
The UN General Assembly, on December 21, 2020, declared February 4 as the International Day of Human Fraternity, which has been observed annually starting from 2021. The day enhances global citizens’ well-being and inspires their common aspirations to create a culture of peace and mobilize the international community to promote peace, tolerance, acceptance, understanding, and solidarity. The International Day of Human Fraternity reaffirms the objectives and principles enshrined in the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in particular the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, and urges global citizens to build a fraternal world.
Compassion and mercy are virtues common to all humanity. Human beings and all living things are nurtured by Heaven and Earth. Confucianism talks about "benevolence and love." Mozi talked about "concurrent love." Jesus Christ talked about "universal love." All of them are expansive forms of love, which go beyond "self-love" and transcend regions and cultures. Fraternity has nothing to do with money or fame. True love is selfless, and true goodness has no boundaries. The principle represents the actions of saints who went beyond the field of philosophy, and were primarily concerned with the safety of the people of the world. The essence of fraternity is to create peace, resolve conflicts and confrontations of any kind in a non-violent manner, and build a harmonious world through solidarity, mutual help, and mutual love.
Since ancient times, the promotion and practice of love and kindness has been the manifestation of the spirit of fraternity. This spirit aids in the realization of sustainable development, serves as the guiding principle of fundamental education, and represents the worldview of a sustainable and peaceful future. More than 2,000 years ago, during the Warring States period, the Confucian philosopher Mencius said to Mozi, who traveled from country to country, "Who does not know what good is? Why bother to persuade the people?” Mozi replied, "The world is chaotic now. There are many who seek beauty but few who seek goodness, so if we do not persuade and guide them, they will not know what goodness is.” In the present world, my dizi (disciples) and I have visited 101 countries because the world needs more actions to spread love and goodness.
In recent years, global citizens have been facing increasingly severe threats to their existence, particularly the novel coronavirus, which has caused an unprecedented human crisis. In the face of the unpredictable and unprecedented negative impacts of the pandemic, people, governments, and civil society organizations must unite to fight for humanity’s common future and survival. The only way out is for everyone to work together. Nowadays, the world needs heartfelt tolerance and respect from global citizens, with everyone being proactive, acting with sincerity, and harnessing the power of unity to solve problems selflessly.
In addition to humane care, human fraternity prioritizes defending freedom of thought and religion and opposing any form of discrimination or persecution against religion or belief. People’s right to freely choose their religion should be fully respected. Different religions and beliefs should appreciate and learn from one another, and religious leaders are encouraged to foster world peace through religious dialogue and the integration of diverse religions. This is an indispensable element of a democratic society.
We need to awaken the innate conscience in world citizens to promote more effective communication between people and nations and thereby attain unity. When our actions are guided by conscience and wisdom, we will be able to solve the long-accumulated and emerging global problems. Because conscience is the highest code of conduct all human beings share, it transcends the differences in skin color, gender, language, or faith. Conscience, which is selfless, allows us to focus on a greater purpose and work for our collective well-being as a human race while striving for a peaceful and happy world for all.
Conscience, kind thoughts, and good actions are the key forces that bring human fraternity into play and protect the sustainable development of the Earth. As long as people exert the influence of goodness in their respective positions, they can collectively create a butterfly effect of kindness and promote a harmonious, united, fraternal, and sustainable society through collective action while creating peace in their hearts and in the world.
Nowadays, the world is like a ship travelling through a storm, and we are all in the same boat. We need helmsmen with stable and supportive energy to lead global citizens to work together with one heart and move in the right direction while awakening people’s conscience to make decisions and take actions with love and conscience, overcome the daunting challenges, move towards peace, and usher in a brighter future for future generations.
Action, action, action!
May you all be blessed.
*Presented at the ICDAY’s virtual event in support of
UN International Day of Human Fraternity