Fourth International Day of Conscience
Practicing Love and Conscience for a Sustainable Future of Peace
Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze
Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men
Vice President of the Association of World Citizens,
NGO in Consultative Status with ECOSOC and Associated with the UN DPI
President of the Federation of World Peace and Love
April 5, 2023
Distinguished Guests, Dear Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good day!
Welcome to the celebration of the 4th International Day of Conscience. On July 25, 2019, the United Nations declared April 5th as the International Day of Conscience to foster love, tolerance, acceptance, altruism, and care, in order to “build a sustainable world of peace, solidarity, and harmony.” A culture of love, conscience, and peace can have positive butterfly effects. I would like to start by expressing my gratitude to all of you for your continued engagement and support! Our efforts have gathered the positive energy that global citizens most need, bringing unity, harmony, and light to the world. As long as we do not give up on our mission, which is to ensure peace for the people of the world, we will have the courage and wisdom to overcome the difficulties together.
Since the proclamation of the Declaration of International Day of Conscience, humanity has experienced many trials, such as the pandemic, wars, droughts, earthquakes, flooding, fires, storms, and other natural and man-made disasters, as well as global problems like high inflation, economic downturn, and disastrous economic events. Even though technological development is advancing to new heights and artificial intelligence is now capable of evolving on its own, the world situation remains unpredictable, fragile, and uncertain. What has humankind learned from these events? What is the message that the Earth is conveying to humanity?
At a time when challenges and tests are coming one after another, the value of conscience is becoming clearer. We should not be limited by external factors, but should return to the original principles that remind us that love, peace, and conscience are the keys to resolving the world’s problems. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaims that all human beings are endowed with conscience and that everyone has the right to freedom of conscience. Conscience is the compass, and it is by identifying the root causes of problems that solutions can be found. By following the guidance of our conscience with a clear and calm heart, we will be able to see through the confusion of material phenomena and understand the truth behind them.
Time is running out, and both natural and man-made disasters are occurring considerably more frequently and with far greater intensity. The world is changing rapidly and unpredictably, and a small incident can trigger a major catastrophe. International quarrels between neighbouring countries can lead to a world war. For the survival and well-being of the entire human race, it is necessary to awaken the conscience of everyone. We should take the initiative to remove the five poisons--greed, anger, obsession, arrogance, and scepticism--from our hearts. We should act with conscience and participate in actions of love, peace, and conscience. We should also make conscientious wishes and act on them while encouraging others to do the same. The collective conscience-based acts will be like the dawn of the morning, illuminating a sustainable future with solidarity, harmony, and tolerance.
If you take one minute each day to calm down and reflect on yourself and take action to improve yourself, and if you take one minute of silence every day to give thanks for what you have and pray for others and the world, you will be united with your innate conscience, and you will know what needs to be done and act for the benefit of all people. Today, we can set an action plan of conscience, starting with ourselves and acting morally every day. Just because an act of kindness is tiny shouldn't stop us from doing it. No matter how small the effort, it all adds up to a significant achievement. If everyone sets an example, it will allow conscience and good deeds to prevail in the world.
Love and peace are the founding principles of the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL), and the spirit of the International Day of Conscience is to promote peace and sustainability with love and conscience. Love is the driving force of human life, and conscience makes it more powerful. A good existence, a happy family, and a secure world are possible with the exercise of conscience, love, and human rights, which is the fulfilment of life's mission and the maximization of one’s value in life.
The fate of all humanity is in the hands of the leaders of all nations. By reflecting on each decision we make, we can resolve conflicts with love and balance differences with selfless wisdom. Conscience-driven wisdom and tolerance allow us to let go of our obsessions, seek consensus with reason, respect human rights, and settle disputes. Life has its limitations, and it is the hearts of individuals that can change the course of events. At this critical juncture in history, only conscientious hopes and actions will lead humanity to global sustainable peace.
The International Day of Conscience is a day of commemoration for the practice of conscience for all humanity. Following one’s conscience and doing good deeds are what everyone must do. We should transform ourselves in our limited existence, make good use of our limited time to amass virtues and merits for ourselves and the world, and face all kinds of crises and challenges with compassion, courage, and wisdom. When all good people and things are connected, we will be able to enhance the well-being of global citizens and create a peaceful and bright future for the world.