FOWPAL Convenes Influential Leaders in The Bahamas
Advancing Conscience, Transparency, and Integrity at Government House
A spirit of dignity, warmth, and shared purpose filled the historic Government House in Nassau on January 19, as the 2026 World Leader Summit of Love and Peace brought together leaders from across the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and the international community. Hosted in the nation’s capital, the summit convened government officials, religious leaders, heads of civil society organizations, and distinguished representatives from diverse sectors to reflect on ethical leadership, unity, and pathways toward a peaceful and sustainable future.
The event opened with a grand and solemn welcome by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Band, honoring the arrival of H.E. Dame Cynthia A. Pratt, Governor-General of The Bahamas, and H.E. Ann Marie Davis, First Lady of The Bahamas. Following the national anthem, a heartfelt prayer was offered by Bishop Hubert Kemp, Sr., Pastor of Prayer and Praise Assembly, setting a reverent tone for the day’s proceedings. Mr. Jack Thompson, Secretary to the Governor-General, then warmly welcomed all attendees and extended a special greeting to the international delegation from the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL).
Rev. Dr. Agorom Dike, Founder and President of the Caribbean and African Faith-Based Leadership Conference and Liaison to the White House Faith-Based Cabinet Offices, introduced FOWPAL, highlighting Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze’s long-standing global efforts to promote love, peace, and conscience through world leader summits, bell-ringing ceremonies, and cultural exchange.
The summit held special significance as The Bahamas became the 122nd nation visited by FOWPAL in its global journey to promote conscience, love, and peace. Just days earlier, FOWPAL had convened similar gatherings and Bell of World Peace and Love ceremonies in Trinidad and Tobago and Belize, where national leaders—including Belizean Prime Minister John Briceño—rang the bell and expressed heartfelt wishes for global harmony and well-being.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, President of FOWPAL, spoke with clarity and compassion about the urgent moral challenges facing the world today. He emphasized that conscience, transparency, and integrity are not abstract ideals, but essential foundations for ethical leadership and sustainable development.
“Conscience provides moral direction,” Dr. Hong explained. “Transparency builds trust within systems, and integrity ensures consistent action. Interlinked, these three elements enable more virtuous actions that benefit all beings and allow a sustainable future to flourish with renewed vitality.”
One of the most moving moments of the summit was the Bell of World Peace and Love ceremony. Dr. Hong rang the bell nine times and expressed three heartfelt wishes: that everyone may follow their conscience with transparency and integrity; that all actions be guided by genuine love and peace; and that all living beings may coexist in peace and harmony. Eight distinguished Bahamian leaders also rang the bell, each offering sincere wishes for peace and unity.
Governor-General Dame Cynthia A. Pratt rang the bell with grace and conviction. She stated, “I wish the people will recognize the Prince of Peace and Love, who is Jesus Christ, our lord. Love is something that we give away and we end up having more.”
In recognition of her distinguished public service and unwavering dedication to national unity, public welfare, and civic engagement, Dr. Hong presented Her Excellency with the prestigious FOWPAL Peace Bell Award. Deeply moved by the honor, she expressed her heartfelt gratitude, describing the award as both humbling and inspiring. She reaffirmed her lifelong commitment to uplifting the Bahamian people and advancing peace and love, emphasizing that building a better world begins with individual conscience and is strengthened through collective action.
As a further expression of respect and appreciation, Dr. Hong also presented the Governor-General with a beautiful artwork from the treasured collection of the Hong Tao Tze Foundation, symbolizing the enduring values of harmony, hope, and the transformative power of conscience.
Other bell ringers offered equally heartfelt reflections. Bishop Delton Fernander, President of the Bahamas Christian Council, rang the bell and prayed for the wellbeing of all.
H.E. Dr. Lorraine Bastian, Ambassador-At-Large of The Bahamas for Foreign Service Education and Training, rang the bell and expressed her hope that people around the world—every woman, man, boy, girl, and child—would awaken their conscience and learn to love one another, for love dissolves the desire to hurt or harm others.
Dr. Anthony Hamilton, President of the Civil Society of The Bahamas, rang the bell and stated, “I wish peace for the Bahamas, the region, and the world! Unique national unity.”
Bishop Dr. Walter Hanchell, Founder and President of Great Commission Ministries International (GCMI) in The Bahamas, rang the bell and stated, “My desire is to see poverty and injustice eradicated around the world.”
H.E. Major Roodolph Meo, Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army in The Bahamas and Turks & Caicos Division, rang the bell and stated, “It is my desire to see a world that people are able to love one another, share the wealth with everyone, eliminating hunger.”
Hon. Joyann Ferguson, Justice of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, rang the bell and stated, “My wish is for the peoples of the world to experience peace which will transcend in every facet of daily living and that love and compassion will bridge every divide.”
Edison Sumner, CEO of The Bahamas Red Cross Society, rang the bell and wished that “all people will live in peace and harmony.”
To date, 675 influential leaders from 158 nations—including 86 heads of state and government, 15 Nobel Peace Prize laureates, UN ambassadors, and other visionaries—have rung the Bell of World Peace and Love, amplifying a shared global aspiration for unity, conscience, and hope.
The summit also highlighted FOWPAL’s continued promotion of the Declaration of Transparency and Integrity, a global initiative encouraging ethical conduct guided by conscience. H.E. Ann Marie Davis, First Lady of The Bahamas, who rang the Bell of World Peace and Love in 2023, and Dr. Hong jointly signed the declaration, joined by many attendees who affirmed these principles. Since its proclamation on April 1, 2025, individuals in 152 nations—including current and former heads of state, UN ambassadors, government officials, and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate—have endorsed the declaration.
Many leaders voiced strong support for these principles. Edison Sumner emphasized that operating at the highest levels of integrity and transparency is essential to earning public trust. H.E. Major Roodolph Meo added, “Transparency and integrity is the hallmark of this world as we know it today because if you are operating in transparency, people trust you even more… integrity could be our hallmark that we continue to share this around.”
To encourage daily reflection and moral clarity, Dr. Hong presented the Compass Clock of Conscience to six distinguished leaders from media, faith, and public service, recognizing their influence in guiding society toward integrity and responsibility. He also presented First Lady Ann Marie Davis with a treasured artwork from the Hong Tao Tze Foundation, along with two publications—The History of International Day of Conscience and Lighting the World with Hope—documenting the UN-declared International Day of Conscience and International Day of Hope, both initiated by Dr. Hong.
Cultural performances added depth and inspiration to the summit. FOWPAL members presented uplifting songs such as We Can Change the World and 
A Prayer for Peace, inviting all participants to observe a moment of silence for humanity’s future. Additional performances—including Children from Heaven and the joyful closing dance Happiness Is Everywhere—filled the hall with warmth, harmony, and hope.
When interviewed by FOWPAL members, Bishop Dr. Walter Hanchell remarked, “Your leader Dr. Hong and everybody else, the team, the volunteers did such a fantastic job, and I really appreciate that… it has impacted my life. I feel stronger, more encouraged, more focused to serve and to bring peace and love to the people in my country and wherever else I go.”
As the summit drew to a close, participants departed uplifted and inspired, united by a shared vision: that through conscience, transparency, and integrity, leaders and individuals alike can work hand in hand to build a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world for generations to come.