FOWPAL in Türkiye Bears Witness to Three-Millennium-Old Peace Treaty, Fostering a Century of Peace Through Wisdom
In early May, the delegation of the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL) was invited to attend the 29th Eurasian Economic Summit. During their visit, the delegation made a special journey to Türkiye's most renowned Istanbul Archaeology Museums. Among the museum’s crown jewels is a clay tablet inscribed with the Treaty of Kadesh, a 3,285-year-old pact recognized as the world's oldest surviving peace treaty based on equal terms. Originally signed on silver plaques, this historic accord ushered in nearly a century of peace between the Egyptian and Hittite Empires.
For years, FOWPAL has been promoting international cultural exchanges centered on love, peace, and conscience. Even in regions of Africa and Central and South America where conflict seemed imminent, the organization has delivered a stabilizing force of peace through its "Declaration of International Day of Love and Peace." These two highly influential documents—the ancient treaty and the modern declaration—serve as a shared reminder to the world of the paramount importance of peace. Indeed, how to resolve conflicts through wisdom has become the most critical imperative for global leaders in the 21st century.
Signed around 1259 B.C., the Treaty of Kadesh arose from years of warfare as Ancient Egypt in North Africa and the Hittite Empire in Western Asia vied for regional hegemony over the Middle East. The conflict finally culminated when the Hittite king dispatched an envoy to Egypt to sign the oldest recorded "international treaty" in human history with Pharaoh Ramesses II, pledging non-aggression, eternal peace, and a lasting alliance. Lulu, a FOWPAL volunteer, remarked that this historic accord stands as definitive proof that over three millennia ago, humanity already possessed the profound wisdom to resolve international disputes through negotiation rather than military force. Indeed, replacing armed conflict with peaceful dialogue and dissolving hostility with wisdom has remained the unwavering mission of Tai Ji Men Shifu (master) and dizi (disciples) throughout their journeys across 122 nations.
Megan, another FOWPAL volunteer, pointed out that a single peace treaty allowed ancient Egypt and the Hittite Empire to enjoy nearly a century of tranquility, transforming bitter enemies into steadfast allies—a feat that demanded the wisdom of balance. She recalled that in 2000, President Fradique de Menezes of São Tomé and Príncipe was invited to ring the “Bell of World Peace and Love,” wishing that "For Children’s Smile." Three years later, when a coup erupted in his country, President de Menezes granted amnesty to the rebels and initiated political reforms, ensuring that the fathers of the children in his nation would not have to march onto the battlefield. Furthermore, in 2005, President Leonel Fernández of the Dominican Republic became the first head of state to sign the "Declaration of International Day of Love and Peace." In 2008, employing profound wisdom to defuse a looming war crisis in Latin America, President Fernández successfully mediated a three-nation dispute, thereby safeguarding the lives of countless innocent civilians.
Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, President of FOWPAL, has long received high international acclaim for his lifelong dedication to love and peace. In 2025, he was honored with the prestigious "Jak Kamhi Love and Peace Award" by the Marmara Group Foundation in Türkiye, recognizing his exceptional and outstanding contributions to advancing global peace, fostering cultural exchange, and promoting a culture of conscience worldwide. Standing within the walls of this museum—a sanctuary that bears witness to both peace and cultural history—all present felt a profound, timeless resonance bridging the ancient wisdom of history with FOWPAL’s contemporary movement for world peace.
To express gratitude for the museum’s warm hospitality and the meaningful cultural exchange, FOWPAL presented a unique artwork from the treasured collection of Hong Tao Tze Foundation, titled "Radiance of Kindness." The painting carries a profound allegory: " Harbor kindness in the heart, and every thought will bloom in color—Transformed into radiant cosmic light; Illuminating the entire Earth."
Throughout history, the flames of conflict have raged on, driven perhaps by the self-interest of leaders, the unequal distribution of resources, or divergent religious and cultural ideologies. FOWPAL volunteers earnestly hope that every individual will be guided by their conscience, allowing it to prevail at critical moments of decision-making, and anchoring all policies and negotiations in the foundational principles of transparency and integrity. Three millennia ago, the mutual trust and integrity embodied in that ancient peace treaty brought an end to two centuries of warfare, blessing countless lives. Today, we hope humanity will awaken their inner conscience, embracing a spirit of integrity and transparency in all endeavors to collectively usher in a sustainable era of world peace.