Federation of World Peace and Love

World Day of Social Justice
Conscience Is the Driving Force Behind Justice and Human Rights

 

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
February 20, 2023

 

Distinguished Guests, Dear Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good day!

There is an Eastern proverb: “Justice resides in people’s hearts,” which means that people have a fair judgement in their hearts about what is right and wrong. This is the manifestation of conscience, which is a precious gift bestowed by Heaven. Conscience resides in everyone’s heart. Heaven is watching us. Conscience is the key to the unity among Heaven, Earth, and humanity.

More and more challenges, both visible and invisible, have occurred around the world in recent years. Epidemics, climate change, wars, economic problems, and many people’s lack of life direction are all becoming increasingly serious. Humankind is confronted with not only the difficulties of making a living, but the conundrum of survival. A fine line separates yin and yang; our thoughts can have either positive or negative consequences. All countries can enjoy shared prosperity or collapse all together, and the key to changing our common destiny lies in everyone’s heart. This is a fight for our lives; no one can stay unaffected as the fate of all living creatures on the planet is tied to the same thread.

The United Nations declared February 20 as World Day of Social Justice to promote the protection of employees' interests, as well as the abolition of unfairness and inequality through social protection, social dialogue, mutual respect, and tolerance. We have to honestly face the growing inequality, discrimination, torture, and exclusion in all of their forms today, including the abuse of public power by government authorities to persecute individuals, as well as religious or spiritual groups through the judiciary and tax measures. Such abuse poses an extremely serious threat to the protection of fundamental human rights, social harmony and solidarity, economic development, and global sustainability. We must recognize and solve the problems. We need to be more open-minded and tolerant in order to understand different voices. Through following our conscience, we will be able to reconcile and advance social justice through positive actions. 

The axis of justice is equality, and the essence of justice is human rights. Conscience is the antidote for all social injustices.  Conscience is the compass which guides people in the right direction to pursue social justice and righteousness. Through conscience education, the innate conscience of people can be awakened. All nations are encouraged to strive for coexistence, mutual-growth, and shared prosperity, eliminate all injustices in lives, and create ways that will benefit themselves and all beings so that we will be able to move toward a truly peaceful future.

As world citizens, we have the shared responsibility to rectify all injustices and safeguard human rights and justice. Let us remember the true meaning of World Day of Social Justice and pray that all forms of injustice and inequality will be eradicated in the spirit of equality and universal love. Let us work together for a more just and righteous society and create a true era of conscience full of harmony and love. 

May you all be blessed with peace, safety, and happiness!