FOWPAL Celebrates Haitian Flag Day and Empowers Youth
Promoting Conscience, Hope, Transparency, and Integrity in Roselle, New Jersey and Brooklyn, New York
In a vibrant celebration of heritage and hope, Mayor Donald Shaw of Roselle Borough and the Borough Council hosted a spirited Haitian Flag Day event in front of Roselle Borough Hall, New Jersey, to mark the 222nd anniversary of the Haitian Flag on May 17, 2025. The event featured heartfelt speeches, live entertainment, family activities, and a flag-raising ceremony, drawing a large and enthusiastic crowd from across the community.
The celebration honored Haiti’s rich cultural legacy while promoting messages of peace, unity, and integrity. Attendees enjoyed vibrant performances of traditional Haitian music and dance, accompanied by inspiring words from community leaders and dignitaries.
At the invitation of the event organizers, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, president of the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL), led a delegation to participate in the day’s festivities. In his inspiring speech, Dr. Hong emphasized, “At this moment, more than at any other time in history, we urgently need the awakening of everyone’s conscience to keep the world on a path toward stability, harmony, and peaceful development. I hope that each of us can take one quiet minute each day to reconnect with our innate goodness. With a calm heart comes wisdom. Let us abandon prejudice, unite and cooperate, and unleash the power that can guide global citizens toward a sustainable future.”
A solemn Bell of World Peace and Love ringing ceremony followed, hosted by FOWPAL. Dr. Hong rang the Bell nine times to pray for Haiti and the world. H.H. Dr. Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe was invited to ring the Bell, sharing his heartfelt wish: “May the world be a beautiful and safe place for all people and the children and we all have a gorgeous future together with love.”
Amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and environmental challenges, FOWPAL led attendees in a one-minute silence, encouraging heartfelt wishes for themselves, their communities, and the world.
FOWPAL members also invited participants to endorse the Declaration of Transparency and Integrity, urging all sectors of society to embrace honesty and openness as the foundation of governance and cooperation. The event concluded with group photos featuring two banners: one promoting this meaningful declaration and the other celebrating the UN’s designation of July 12 as the International Day of Hope.
Later that afternoon, FOWPAL brought its goodwill and cultural celebration to Brooklyn, New York, energizing a special youth event at Pathways College Preparatory School. During a basketball game, the group performed dynamic music and dance numbers, sharing uplifting messages with students and families.
FOWPAL’s dance piece “Happiness Is Everywhere” uplifted the audience, encouraging joy and mindfulness. “The Angel in Your Heart” reminded youth of their inner strength to overcome adversity and inspire others.
Their song “The Power of Peace and Love” highlighted unity and compassion as keys to healing and harmony, resonating strongly with the enthusiastic audience. Musician Nicola Khoury led a rousing rendition of “We Are the World,” reinforcing the importance of global unity, compassion, and responsibility through love.
In an interview, H.H. Dr. Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe emphasized the importance of values in shaping a better world: “Integrity and transparency are the two important things in our life,” he said, adding, “Putting these elements together, the world is a good place and we can all live in peace and in unity and in prosperity and in happiness and in love together as one wonderful planet.”
Councilwoman Isabel Sousa shared her thoughts on the day’s impact: “Today we had the glorious honor of our flag raising for the beautiful island country of Haiti, and what a magnificent show it was from the singers, the dancers.” She expressed gratitude to FOWPAL for their heartfelt blessings, adding, “I don't think we ever had royalty here, but it was, and I still remember, that was the 636th time it had rung. And I just got goosebumps that I've never, I'm in awe, I'm still in awe, and I will remember this day for many years to come.”
The dual events in New Jersey and New York showcased FOWPAL’s unwavering commitment to promoting a global culture rooted in conscience, hope, transparency, and integrity. From honoring cultural heritage in Roselle to inspiring young hearts in Brooklyn, FOWPAL’s message was clear: peace begins with the choices we make and the values we uphold each day.