FOWPAL’s Bell of Peace Rings at New York City Hall for Global Harmony
FOWPAL Celebrates International Day of Peace, Promoting Conscience, Hope, Transparency, and Integrity
The Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL) joined city officials, international organizations, and peace advocates in front of New York City Hall to celebrate the United Nations-declared International Day of Peace. The Peace Day 2025 press conference, hosted by the Good News Corporation, highlighted the urgent need for peace in a time of global conflict.
Bell of World Peace and Love Ceremony
Paul Sladkus, President of the Good News Corporation, invited FOWPAL to share its message of peace. FOWPAL members performed the Love and Peace Song, calling on everyone to unite in action and spread love to help make world peace a reality.
FOWPAL’s president Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze delivered a peace message, sharing three heartfelt wishes: “May people understand, respect, and embrace one another’s cultures, races, and beliefs, allowing the seeds of peace to take root and flourish in every heart. May the spirit of transparency and integrity be reflected in our actions, igniting the light of stability and hope across the world. May everyone guard their conscience, protect the Earth, and promote peace and sustainable development.”
FOWPAL also conducted a ceremony of ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love for this momentous occasion. Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, President of FOWPAL, explained its profound meaning, emphasizing that conscience is the foundation for positive change and calls on people to take action to realize their hopes. The ringing of the Bell symbolizes a collective global prayer for peace. By upholding transparency, integrity, and human rights, and by uniting as one, humanity can allow hope to illuminate the path toward a brighter future.
Dr. Hong rang the Bell and prayed for the awakening of conscience in everyone and world peace. New York Deputy Mayor Camille J. Varlack rang the Bell and made a heartfelt wish for peace. She is the 645th ringer of the Bell. The other bell ringers including 82 heads of state and government, 15 Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, and other prominent leaders. Deputy Mayor Varlack stated, “My message was that there is peace and harmony that enters into the hearts of all of our world leaders, especially as we prepare for the United Nations General Assembly next week. I think that that is certainly the most important thing and what benefits the world's citizens.”
A highlight of the event was the “Noonest Moment/Meditative Minute of Silence,” where the attendees were invited to pause for a minute, praying for the world. Paul Sladkus, President of the Good News Corporation, stated that he also invited many schools to join the meaningful one-minute mediation at noon and expressed his hope that this initiative can expand to even more schools and places across the globe to infuse the world with peaceful energy.
Messages and Cultural Highlights
Another symbolic moment was the “planting of the peace pole,” carrying such messages: “May peace be in New York City!” “May peace be in our communities!” “May peace prevail on Earth!”
Dr. Hong also presented the Compass Clock of Conscience to distinguished participants, including Deputy Mayor Varlack; Dr. Sister Jenna, a spiritual mentor and founder of the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Museum; Yogmata Keiko Aikawa, the first female and non-Indian Siddha Master; Pastor Gilford T. Monrose, the faith advisor to the Mayor of New York City; and Mr. Li, a famous artist. The clock symbolizes conscience as humanity’s guiding direction and the urgent reminder that now is the time to act upon it.
During interviews, distinguished guests shared their reflections. Dr. Jenna stressed that peace must be cultivated within, urging: “Please keep making your mind peaceful by having good wishes and pure feelings. . . . May peace prevail on Earth and lots of blessings.”
Yogmata Keiko Aikawa expressed her joy in joining the gathering in New York. She shared her hope that everyone will meditate, embody true love and peace, and spread this message throughout the world.
Pastor Monrose stated, “I think that it's very important to talk about peace in a world of chaos. . . I think that this message today and just this moment and opportunity for you all to just share that love, that commitment, that calmness, positive energy and consciousness was amazing.”
Paul Sladkus, President of the Good News Corporation, shared that he received a citation from New York Mayor Eric Adams in recognition of his peace efforts, and Sladkus said that the recognition belongs to every peace advocate present at the event. The Peace Day 2025 press conference at New York City Hall served as a powerful reminder that through love, conscience, transparency, and integrity, people everywhere can unite to build a more peaceful, sustainable, and hopeful world.
FOWPAL’s Longstanding Peace Efforts
For more than two decades, Dr. Hong has led FOWPAL on self-funded trips to 120 nations, promoting love, peace, conscience, and hope. He initiated the UN-declared International Day of Conscience and International Day of Hope. His work has earned numerous accolades, including the U.S. President’s Lifetime Achievement Award (2023) for 1.2 million volunteer hours by FOWPAL in the U.S., a citation from Mayor Eric Adams (2023), the declaration of Federation of World Peace and Love Day (2005) in Berkeley, California, and Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze Night (2022) in New York. He has also been granted honorary citizenship in Tacoma, Washington; Monterey Park, California; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Cupertino, California.